"Kris won the hearts of millions of Americans with his soulful voice, good looks and gracious demeanor. However it is his passion for music and love of performing that will make sure Kris stands the test of time and makes American Idol proud."
Vs.
"To find a talent as exceptional as Adam Lambert is a rare and special event. I am thrilled that American Idol was the platform for the world to discover this brilliant young man. He is unique and unforgettable and a certain star of tomorrow."
Let me get this straight: Adam gets slathered with "exceptional," "rare and special," "event," "thrilled," "brilliant," " unique and unforgettable," and "certain star of tomorrow." Kris, by comparison, receives "soulful voice," "good looks," "gracious demeanor," "passion for music," "love of performing," and "stands the test of time and makes American Idol proud." Now don't get me wrong: I'm not saying Adam hasn't earned every superlative his new label wants to throw at him, but why am I having visions of Fuller trying to banish Kris to indie-land after a hastily released, poorly promoted debut? Oh, and anyone who thinks 19 is above burying its own artists should simply take a look at the way the company promoted records from Blake Lewis, Diana DeGarmo, Justin Guarini, and even season 5 winner Taylor Hicks. Which is to say, not at all. (We now interrupt this blog item so I can say for the umpteenth time that Blake's Audio Day Dream was a damn fine record.)
Is anyone else worried about what's in store for Kris Allen, or am I trying to squeeze something from a lemon called nothing?And why can't the company find room in its heart (and its promotional arsenal) for both Adam and Kris, especially when there are plenty of Idol fans (myself included) who'll be more than happy to shell outcash for both of their debuts (as well as Allison Iraheta's)?
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Kris Allen officially signed to 19/Jive
Adam Lambert officially signed to 19, RCA
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Blake Lewis totally got shafted. He’s still out there workin’ it, though. It definitely sounded like that press release was damning Kris with faint praise, at least a bit. I’m sure I’ll buy all three albums too, though. Go Kradason!
We’ll have to see what type of an album Allen puts out. If he is going in the direction of The Fray then I don’t think that the audience will turn away. Blake’s “Break Anotha” sounded forced and cliche. When he was in the final three he threw out a Robin Thicke song that at the time no one heard before, and kicked a-ss with it. Then what happened? Idol is done. Now it is up to the public. If th public says yeah, 19 will. If nay, 19 will also.
Geez, overreacting much, are we? I think that Adam, Kris and Allison will all do great. I am a big Adam fan but I really believe there is a place for all three in this world. And I do believe that 19 loves all of them. ALL OF THEM!! Kris has many fans, and I am sure he will do VERY well on the radio.
But you can not deny that Adam’s voice is very special and unique. Kris is cool too, but he is not exceptional when it comes to his voice. He may be good as a musican and with maybe writing music. But they are all good in their own way. please don’t spread this crap around, just b/c people seem more interested in Adam now doesn’t mean it will stay that way. And Kris seems to know what he wants and he will be great too. I really have a feeling that they both will have big careers. And Allison too.
Let’s wait to see who they line up for Kris to work with before freaking out about 19 burying him. If we suddenly hear in a press release that the entire album has been co-written by Kara DioGuardi, then I’ll be on board with you. Until then, deep breaths and keep the AI iTunes playlist on repeat, and you’ll be fine.
The twin Simons Cowell and Fuller were busily throwing Kris under a bus all season, and they just can’t break the habit.
Yes, I do fear that he is going to get the shaft.
American Idol PR Domo Roger Wydenowski was spotted with Adam during the NYC promo, instead of with the winner. That was my first clue.
Slezak, your very own EW and Rollingstone both gave covers to Adam, and not to Kris.
Thank you.. I was wondering the same thing myself. Even the media is all over Adam Lambert and Kris is not getting the same attention and or coverage, and HE WON!!!! AI TAKE A LOOK. WE DIDN’T PICK ADAM FOR A REASON. They did the same thing to Taylor Hicks. Taylor won by a huge margin and they did not support him at all. Shame on them. Give America what we want. We are tired of the screaming we want music not a freak show….
I think this is much ado about nothing.
Granted, I agree that the show’s producers are not exactly above burying their own artists simply because they may not have been their chosen pets.
However, in this case I actually feel like each press release sort of personifies each respective artist: Kris’s is more subdued and low-key, while Adam’s could easily be in all caps, just like most of his performances.
Michael,I wouldn’t worry yet. I think Kris will be fine as I’m confident he will put out a damn good record. Blake’s problem was the singles 19 released. There were some hits on that record – unfortunatly, nobody heard them. I loved it.
Adam is talented and all over the media now, but I’m not sure that will translate to long term record sales. Time will tell, but he’s in the news for all the wrong reasons right now.
I’m pretty confident it was Kris who was the front runner most of the season – which is why they pimped Adam so much. Kris didn’t need it. Adam did.
Thank you Slezak! I feel the same way! Another conspiracy theory: Why does Kris and Adam’s website look exactly the same but Adam’s is the only one that is updated? Though I like them both, Kris did win so you would think that they would at least treat him the same way? They better not give him the Taylor Hicks treatment!
I hope that Kris’s album doesn’t sound exactly like The Fray because he already sounds so much like their lead singer.
I think you’re being over-sensitive. Nearly every record executive who was interviewed after the finale said they thought Kris was very “commercial” (more so than Adam). Kris is just a low-key laid back guy. He’ll probably have a low-key laid back album that will be a sleeper hit. That’s just his style and 19 knows it. I bet he’s behind the scenes working with some of his dream collaborators (e.g.,19 sent him to NC to watch (most likely work with) The Fray.) Kris is hard to promote in a big flashy way, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get promoted.
My thoughts: 19 did not want Kris Allen to win the competition. They probably thought that he’s good looking, like Jasmine Murray, and would help to beautify the semi-final rounds. He wasn’t expected to do well, and then he turned out to be way more talented than they thought.
I do think that 19 does sabotage people that they do not want to keep, like Blake Lewis.
But Kris Allen is super talented.
Slezak, re-watch the Idol finale. It is clear that the Idol powers wanted Kris to finish fourth. They even planned and staged the finale as if Kris did finish fourth.
IMO, they added Kris to the Queen song at the last minute, because it would have been embarrassing for the winner or runner up to have been limited to one duet, early in the show.
They wanted Kris out at 4th, Allison out at 3rd, and her fans, grateful that Adam ’saved her’ (per Simon) would have helped Adam beat Danny in the final.
That is my conspiracy theory.
My head is saying to be patient, Kris will get his due. My heart is freaking out. I’m with you Slezak.
Not to mention Barry Weiss refers to Kris as a gifted musician, and Adam as a future global superstar! But you know,the game show is over and we’re in real life now. Weiss is calling it as he sees it.
Vada–the Queen song was Kris and Adam’s duet. The top 2 always do a duet.
Slezak you are being completely paranoid. I thought the press releases were well-suited to Kris and Adam’s respective personalities and performance styles. The truth is that win or lose Adam was going to be the story, be signed to a record deal and heavily promoted and in -demand (clearly the RS cover was lined up before the finale). Kris is terrific and hopefully will have a good career — he certainly has the talent. I think 19 will do well by Kris (and Allison). But win or lose Adam was the star of the season. He may become a bright shining star or may crash and burn, but everyone wants to watch him.
Why is anyone surprised? We all knew that Kris would drift into obscurity anyway. Seriously, he’s not THAT good.
1-kris never let them push him around on the show.Dont think they will push him on his record.
2-Adam got the gay thing out now they need to clean that mess up.Press release helps do that.Now it should be about his music.
3-Allison everyones second pick.Well she did lead in the raw vote every week at dail idol.That tells me she has a ton of fans that cant afford to power vote by text.Go phones cost money.Her picture on her jive page as her with the rocker look.If her record is rocker edge she wins even more fans.
4-good luck to all 3 but if i had to bet my money is on allison.
Hey Michael Slezak, you wrote “It’s no secret that I’m an American Idol conspiracy theorist”…But you never wrote any kind of conspiracy theory about the A.I. songwriting contest…even though the winners of the 2007 and the 2008 songwriting contest were co-writers…or that half of the 2007 top 20 songwriting finalist had prior working relationships with A.I. judges, A.I. host, A.I. bandleader or that 1 of the 2008 A.I. top 20 songwriting finalist is the same guy who mixed Kelly Clarkson’s coronation song or that 1 of the 2007 A.I. songwriting finalist is the guy who co-wrote Bo Bice’s title track “The Real Thing” and BTW Michael the other co-writer was….and here’s some real conspiracy theory for you…Kara Dioguardi herself…you remember her, right? She wrote Kris Allen’s coronation song “No Boundaries”.
Suzanne, that was my point. Kris was added to the Queen duet, after Danny got eliminated.
Danny and Adam had solo time, before their duets. Allison and Kris did not.
The Kris was a result of the Anti-Adam – Don’t vote for Adam movement. Kris is one lucky guy – beautiful wife, no job before idol, $1 million recording contract, other perks that come with winning idol, etc. Don’t underestimate the LUCK of Kris Allen. People think playing a guitar/piano automatically makes one an artist. All Allen has to do is look cute, strum the guitar, play the piano, sing his mediocre way and the anti-gays, Christians, country people, Arkansans, etc. will buy his records to the max. Kris has got it made as far as we know. Kris is the luckiest man in the world. He does not even have to work hard. God will give it all to him.
Michael, Michael, Michael. I love you but why do you need to over-analyze EVERYTHING? I am a fan of Adam, Kris and Allison. I think they’re all going to do great and the post-Idol news about them seems really positive. I don’t know why you felt this was necessary. All this article does is create bad feelings and incite fan wars. THAT is what will kill Kris’, Adams’s or Allison’s respective careers. Please chill with the negativity and have faith in the talent of these three! They’ll all be fine. Love you still
Oh Michael. I definitely share your concern. I have been saying it for weeks and feel like I’m a downer to Kris fans.
Your vocalization makes me feel justified but nervous in the same respect.
I hope we are both wrong. But everything you said in your article is 100% what I’ve felt.
Yeah, you are squeezing a lemon that has no juice. Kris will be fine, as will Allison. But 19E is really only stating the truth about Adam. What are they supposed to say? Kris is very much in the same mold as past Idol winners. Adam is the brave new world. Allison is also charting a new course for female artists on the show. Each is getting appropriate love from the label, imo.
Michael, I’ve felt the same way as you ever since the show ended. It would be a shame if your theory is true, because Kris is so talented and deserves a chance to show what kind of music he can make. He’s been nothing but gracious–all throughout AI8 and his post-win media appearances. I love the guy and know a lot of people would buy his music if 19/Jive would just give him the right support and promotion. So far, they don’t seem to be working very hard for him, unfortunately.
Nah. Kris will do fine. He is no doubt going to be successful and well received and loved.
tij aka jit, I was wondering how long it would take you to find this blog and spew the Kris and Christian hate.
Is PhDude on his way as well? Will you guys ever learn a new song?
Michael, being a Kris fan from the get-go, I was immediately struck by the disparity between Adam’s and Kris’s press releases. You aren’t making too much of it. (I also thought Allison’s release was more flattering than Kris’s.)
I voted for Kris for weeks and was thrilled he won. If this company shafts him they’re stupid. Literally millions of people voted for him and love the guy.
Personally (unlike you) I’m not interested in Adam at all, and I’m not even sure he really deserves all the superlatives. Adam is basically a singer, he’s not especially a musician, he’s 27 and he’s never picked up an instrument and he’s never defined himself as an artist. I really am not a fan of his voice and find him wearing, as a singer, and am starting to get sick of all the post-show pimping of him.
These people want to make a buck, and Adam will probably make them their buck, but Kris is an artist and he’s in it for the long haul, and, slow and steady, he’ll win the race.
I always wondered what you did in the off season, Slezak. And hey, you should go check out the documentary Afghan Star, which follows contestants in Kabul….oh so VERY different from Fox. Does anyone get death threats on AI?