Kris Allen Biography

Birthdate: June 21, 1985
Birthplace: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Kris Allen wowed America by winning more votes than his friend and rival, Adam Lambert and taking home first place honors in the eighth season of American Idol. His solo album is in the works but until its released his fans can check out his self-released 2007 album, Brand New Shoes.

A Heavenly Talent

Kris is multi-talented when it comes to music. He played the viola in his high school’s band, the Mills University Studies High School orchestra and taught himself the ukulele, the piano and the guitar. He also traveled the world as a Christian missionary, working in Spain, Burma, Thailand and Africa to name a few.

Young Love

Kris married his high school girlfriend of seven years, Katherine “Katy” O’Connell on September 26, 2008 and was planning to resume his business degree at the University of Central Arkansas to support his family with a “regular job,” but all that changed once American Idol came calling. Kris credits his wife with keeping him from quitting music and calls her a “no nonsense kind of girl.”

Songs Sung on American Idol:

Leon Russell: A Song fo You

The Jackson 5: I Want You Back

Michael Jackson: Man in the Mirror

Michael Jackson: Remember the Time

Bob Dylan: Make You Feel My Love

Marvin Gaye: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

Bill Withers: Ain’t No Sunshine

Don Henley: All She Wants to Do Is Dance

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova: Falling Slowly

Donna Summer: She Works Hard for the Money

Frank Sinatra: The Way You Look Tonight

Styx: Renegade

The Beatles: Come Together

One Republic: Apologize

Kanye West: Heartless

Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On

Adam Lambert/Kris Allen: No Boundaries

Kris says:

"I've been singing for a long time I started playing guitar when I was 13 and I'm 23 no... I did the music scene in Arkansas, which isn’t that big... and It didn’t work out and I almost gave up. My wife has been the support. I seriously almost gave up a lot, and she was just like you have to keep going. She believed in me more than I believed in myself. She is just great."

"Adam [Lambert] deserved this just as much as I do. He’s an amazing performer, a gifted guy - an amazing guy"

"We do not have any plans to start a family. Right now would not be a good time. I don't think I would ever be around. We are definitely gonna hold off on that for a while."

"You know, there's probably people that are better [singers] than me."

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