American Idol Season 8 Winner 2009 - Kris Allen

American Idol eighth season began on 13, January 2009. This season featured fewer drawn-out semifinal episodes. Mike Darnell, the president of alternative programming for Fox, stated that this season would focus more on the contestants reality and emotional state. Also, this season introduced a fourth judge on the panel record producer, singer and songwriter Kara DioGuardi.

Kris Allen wins American Idol Season 8 finale after a two hour finale proving Adam Lambert deserved it. It could be the biggest head fake in network television history. Kris Allen performance with "Ain't No Sunshine" might have paved his victory.

Adam Lambert & Kris Allen

Adam Lambert is second place for American Idol finale. He was the early favorite of the audience in general and attributed as the "chosen one", Kris got the votes of the viewing public. Judges, particularly Simon Cowell, who have openly expressed his confidence for Lambert, acknowledge that Kris indeed posed a challenge.

Simon Cowell tipped his hat to both contestants:

"To both of you, and I don't normally mean this, I thought you were both brilliant. The future's all yours," the judge said.

Before the results were announced, Lambert and Allen had a moment of musical camaraderie: They joined together with Queen on the rock anthem "We Are the Champions."

"Adam did win. So did Kris. Nobody lost tonight. These are two champions," said Paul Stanley from Kiss backstage.