Was Amercian Idol rigged? Did Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert?

by Amy Judd | May 21, 2009 at 02:31 pm

5235 views | 40 Recommendations | 45 comments

Was American Idol rigged?

That's the question on many lips today as the shocked viewers from across America realized that Kris Allen had in fact beaten Adam Lambert to take home the title of Amercian Idol winner 2009.

But did Kris Allen really win all those votes? Over 100 million were cast, which Ryan Seacrest said was a record on the show, but according to the vote tally, 38 million of those votes came from Arkansas, which is Kris Allen's home state.

But wait a second here. 38% of the total votes came from one state?

Wednesday night's American Idol finale featured host Ryan Seacrest announcing -- and an auditing firm representative confirming -- that "just under 100 million" votes were cast nationwide, which would mean that Allen's home state somehow managed to cast an astounding 38% of the finale's nationwide vote total.

Arkansas has a population of 2.67 million people, so in order to vote 38 million times, that would mean that each man, woman, and child, would have had to have voted an average of 13 times each.

So a state, that has less than one percent of the overall population, cast 38 percent of the total votes?

Kris Allen told reporters:

"I felt shocked almost every week that I made it," he told reporters. "To be the American Idol, I'm completely shocked."

However, according to Fox16, who first reported the 38 million number:

"We can't confirm how many votes were cast in Arkansas, and we can't comment on the number of votes for any contestant."

According to 'Dial Idol', this is the map of who voted for Kris Allen and who voted for Adam Lambert.

According to that info, New Hampshire – my state – had 600-odd busy signals on each of Adam Lambert’s three lines, getting through on each line a little over 300 times. For Kris Allen, people hit busy signals in the 400-range on each line and got through in the 200-range.

According to the same map, Arkansas got busy signals in the 6,000 range on each of Kris Allen's three lines, getting through in the 3,000 range on each line. (Only about 600 votes total seemed to go to Adam from the three lines.)

So were only Kris Allen fans power texting then? From the general reaction today it seemed like Adam Lambert had more support, but votes don't lie I suppose.

Update: May 26th 2009

AT&T may have had an influence in Kris Allen winning so many votes as well.

AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of “American Idol,” might have influenced the outcome of this year’s competition by providing free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was named the winner of the show last week.

Representatives of AT&T, whose mobile phone network is the only one that can be used to cast “American Idol” votes via text message, provided the free text-messaging services at two parties in Arkansas after the final performance episode of “American Idol” last week, according to the company and people at the events.

No such offer was extended to any Adam Lambert fans.

Officials at AT&T and Fox. are not responding at this time.

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Paschen

at 16:37 on May 21st, 2009

Hum...

patgarcia

at 17:33 on May 21st, 2009

Interesting...... I liked the guy in third place.

Jenni D (not verified)

at 15:02 on May 24th, 2009

Yeah, Danny was actually the favorite Idol toward the beginning and then his song choice got bad toward the end, people say that Aerosmith song killed him but anyways, his song choices got really bad so people started disliking him and went toward Adam. Even I, a Danny fan through 80% of the competition went to Adam's side at the end. Danny is truely the Idol OR Allison, love her, too!

dfndr13

at 17:41 on May 21st, 2009

It's a popularity contest that has no bearing on real life.

skintone

at 19:19 on May 21st, 2009

i had a feeling that Kris would win as i think America wanted a sweet, down home kind of guy as their idol this time. I definitely think Adam deserved to win tho.... what a talent! i couldn't take my eyes off him every time he sang. i don't think he minded coming in second. Definitely a gentleman.

So, what was up with Tatiana going on stage? I couldn't decide if they were serious about trying to get her off. It looked to me like her crazy act was real and she was going to sing whether they wanted to or not.... Fascinating!

someguy (not verified)

at 18:06 on May 22nd, 2009

They could have easily turned off the microphone - would have been the end of it. It was planned, scripted, etc.

SamirJ

at 21:12 on May 21st, 2009

Adam Lambert was the better singer of the two. Suspicions might arise but you never know how many times a person would vote.

cindyluwho (not verified)

at 15:47 on May 22nd, 2009

I was actually a huge Adam fan to begin with but fell in love w/Kris' overall talent w/vocals, piano, guitar, and originality. Adam had presence and vocals but all songs towards the end turned into screams. Anyway, I just knew Adam would win but I thought I'd vote as many times as possible for Kris and I personally got through in excess of 100 times. So, if I was able to get through that many times in one hour then it would be easy for 2+ million Arkansas fans to get through at least 13 times during the 4 hour vote duration.

brooklynn (not verified)

at 16:04 on May 22nd, 2009

I power voted for Kris like 20 times at least and I live in NY! So, it doesn't seem odd at all that 38 million votes came from his home state. I watched every episode of American Idol this season. People vote for the singer that they want to see make records. More people want to hear Kris' style of music. Plain and simple. If you did not see Kris ' artistic approach to every song he performed, than you're blind. He's an incredible musician, and I'm so happy for him. I really do believe that once he gets past the god awful song that Kara co-authored, he will be amazing!! Both Kris and Adam seem like really nice guys, way above the immaturity level of the comments being made in this country right now.

Greenlite (not verified)

at 18:49 on May 22nd, 2009

Some guy on the other forum said his girl friend voted like 2000 times, so there you go, 100+texts by everyone from Kris' home town, founded by their government^^

A. Lambe (not verified)

at 02:47 on May 23rd, 2009

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I’m a mother and a devout Christian, too. As TV viewer, I recognize that American Idol is a singing talent contest open to all, regardless of personal orientations or religion. It is not supposed to be a popularity contest for a certain class of persons in society. Among all of Season 8’s contenders, Adam Lambert is the amazing artist and the best singer, gifted with a powerful voice. America’s vote for Kris, or America’s vote against Adam, seems to be a contemptuous hate vote against those portions of America that Adam stands for. ADAM LAMBERT DESERVED TO WIN. Even Kris Allen himself knows this in his Christian heart, so much so that as soon as he was unexpectedly handed the undeserved crown, he openly admitted in public that “Adam deserves this…” — righteously adhering to glaring truth and instinctively repudiating the ridiculous vote results that are far from the truth. You could actually count the seconds before Kris acquiesced and finally received the crown, after Adam graciously put his arm on his shoulder in camaraderie. Adam Lambert is the true winner! What’s wrong with America? Or what’s wrong with this American Idol TV show?

Michael (Nashville) (not verified)

at 06:03 on May 23rd, 2009

American Idol is a disgrace. Adam Lambert was the absolute best performer to ever grace that stage and I'm a devout Christian, will accompany the choir at my Catholic Church this very evening, was classically trained, and toured for several years with a rock band. I will never watch Idol again. Cara is a joke, Simon is a zealous pig, and Paula needs to get off Thorazine and wine. Randy Jackson is the only cognizant judge on that pathetic panel (and I'm white, by the way). America is up for sale and has been for decades. Our government is more corrupt than many in South America, and our population rewards criminals, illiterates, and either the loudest mouth or the biggest gun. We stink as a culture and this is yet another hallmark in our rapidly expanding museum of decadence. Screw American Idol. I have nothing against Chris and the good people of Arkansas, a state which I happen to love. But....then again, what do you expect from the place that gave us the Clintons. One would think that the individual charged with overseeing the integrity of the votes would have done something to to avert this plagarism. But alas, this America and that person no doubt inheirited their office via nepotism or some sexual liason. I'm straight, Christian, and (formerly) Repulican and I'm ashamed of my own people and would join the liberals if they weren't equally corrupt.

Brooklynn (not verified)

at 16:58 on May 26th, 2009

Are you seriously talking like that and calling yourself a devout christian?? You should look at the way Kris and Adam are handling this situation. You could learn from them. When I read such negative thoughts, I don't see a devout Christian.

Amber Thorne (not verified)

at 03:53 on May 27th, 2009

Amen!

melissa dodson (not verified)

at 07:32 on May 23rd, 2009

I had never watch American Idol before until this season when my daughter told me to listen to Adam Lambert sing i was hooked from that moment on. I thought for sure america would get over there phobia of him being gay supposedly and vote for talent...Come on did Kris Allen recieve a standing ovation or praise from the judgesl ike Adam i admit he did scream alot but what a voice.. Thats ok I believe in my heart that Kris will soon be a memory hes just youre typical boring singer he doesnt have what it takes to stay in the music industry it takes talent and he can sing, but not that great another Taylor Hicks... Adam will end up topping the charts you wait and see.................

Stephani (not verified)

at 08:47 on May 23rd, 2009

I completely agree Kris might enjoy great success for a few years, but I think it's within Adams grasp to be around the next couple decades and reach a legacy.

Dale999 (not verified)

at 11:51 on May 27th, 2009

Most of the idol seasons were a bore to me. But this season Adam was incredible, the best talent yet. I am hoping he will kick start new life into hard rock. I agree, Kris will fade, but Adam will have a world wide fan base for years.

Critique (not verified)

at 18:26 on May 23rd, 2009

ADAM IS THE REAL WINNER, AND A NOBODY GUY HAD STOLEN HIS CROWN.

amykroh (not verified)

at 19:06 on May 23rd, 2009

I am sick and tired of everyone making excuses for Kris Allen's "surprise" win. I don't take anything away from the talent that Lambert clearly has, but I voted for Allen all season long simply because I prefer his voice, his style, and his personality. I am insulted that the media continues to imply that my votes for Kris do not mean anything. The continued focus on Adam is making me less and less interested in his future success. Get over it and move on! Oh...and I'm a 39 year old female from Nebraska...not Arkansas...and I voted for Kris at least 20 times on finale night.

susan for adam (not verified)

at 20:54 on May 23rd, 2009

If Elvis was on American Idol today - he would have come in second! Adam has the charisma superstar talent and total package we have not seen ever on AI. I will NEVER watch American Idol again! Give the crown to its rightful owner!

CROB (not verified)

at 04:15 on May 25th, 2009

It was rigged plain and simple.

Kris Fan All The Way! (not verified)

at 08:38 on May 26th, 2009

if it was rigged then don't you think Adam would have won, if what everyone is saying is true that he had more fans, and that the judges preferred him then wouldn't they have "rigged" it in his favour...the reason Kris won is plain and simple, he got more votes and that, my friend is called Democracy....the premise on which everything runs in America

Kris Fan All The Way (not verified)

at 12:27 on May 25th, 2009

poor adam fans, so disillusioned....get over it!!!....the best man won..plain and simple!!! you're just trying to console yourself with pathetic justification...Kris is the truly genuine talented one and he didn't even scream in my ear once...how could anyone listen to adam for more than one song...i could listen to kris all day long, very soothing, pleasant music and he is a true artist who writes his own songs and plays 4 different instruments....adam is good at applying make-up and screaming...he should stick to theatre.

Kris Sucks (not verified)

at 09:28 on June 6th, 2009

I couldn't stand to look at kris and his horrid KROOKED face. If I wanted to fall asleep I would listen to his lame music if that's what you want to call it...The only reason he won is because all of the teenage sluts all gaga over him voted, why vote for the gay guy, he likes dudes so what would some horny teen girl want with him. That's the way every one of these stupid shows turns out. It's always the most "perfect" one that wins. Who cares anyway, as everyone said, Kris will be long forgotten and Adam will be the lead singer of Queen touring the world.

Mille (not verified)

at 10:31 on May 26th, 2009

Almost 40 percent of the vote came from Arkansas. Cleary a small group of people there set up a computer program to fix the results. American Idol needs to set a voting limit next season to prevent this. Adam's cd is going to out sell Kris's. You can't argue with the numbers. When less than three million people cast 40 million votes, you are not selling 40 million cds.

Johanna (not verified)

at 13:56 on August 7th, 2009

i agree with you, kris cd is gonna bomb while adam's be on top of the charts. I just think dat people should just get over the simple fact that adam is gay. In the end, its suppose to be a talent show, not a if there's a gay guy let's vote for the straight guy show. people are so blind to the facts. Everyone should just drop AT&T and get Verizon instead. That'll show them! Oh, and the executives who hosted the texting parties should definetly get fired, they deserve it!

P Freel (not verified)

at 15:27 on May 26th, 2009

Kris All The Way Fan

It is refreshing to hear someone enjoys listening to paint dry, because Kris, although a great guy, when he sings seldom changes key and a quarter of the time is off key. The point of music is to enoy the silence between the noise. I like music that doesn't put me to sleep. If I wanted that I'd take an elevator.