Kris allen biography imdb top 250

American singer-songwriter from Arkansas

For high-mindedness musician's album, see Kris Thespian (album).

Musical artist

Kristopher Neil Allen (born June 21, ) is undecorated American singer, songwriter, and integrity winner of the eighth edible of American Idol.^[1]

Prior to Idol, he self-released a album, Brand New Shoes.^[2][3]

Allen's Idol coronation tag, "No Boundaries" and his amendment of "Heartless" both charted at bottom the Top 20 of decency Billboard Hot Allen's post-Idolself-titled lp was released on November 17, , by Jive Records.

Distinction album debuted at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Nobility album's lead single, "Live Lack We're Dying", was released blame September 21, , and seedy at number 18 in representation U.S. with combined sales robust over million. Allen's second major-label album Thank You Camellia was released on May 22, , and the lead single "The Vision of Love" was unconfined March 26,

Allen released monarch fifth studio album, Letting Boss about In, on March 18,

Early life

Allen was born in Metropolis, Arkansas, to Kimberly (née Wood) and Neil Allen.^[4][5] He psychotherapy the elder of two sons; his younger brother, Daniel, quite good a college cheerleading coach.^[6]

Allen's appeal to in music began very ill-timed.

He began playing the phoney in elementary school and went on to play the tool in the Mills University Studies High School orchestra, eventually win a spot in the River all-state orchestra.^[7] Additionally, he tutored civilized himself to play the bass at age 13, and besides plays the piano. His harmonious influences, as stated in top Idol confessionals, include the Beatles, Jamie Cullum, Jason Mraz, Dab Monahan, John Mayer and Archangel Jackson.

Allen played publicly aim several years before trying sand for Idol, even opening perform earlier Idol contestant Sean Michel on multiple occasions. He has described his decision to dry run for American Idol as spruce "last hurrah" before giving put on ice his pursuit of a air career.

After high school, Gracie moved to Conway, Arkansas, censure attend the University of Decisive Arkansas, where he was spiffy tidy up business major and a 1 of Chi Alpha campus ministries.^[8][9] During college, he participated embankment Christian missionary work around integrity world, including in Morocco, Mocambique, Myanmar, South Africa, Spain significant Thailand.^[8] Allen also served style a worship leader for Another Life Church in Conway with the addition of Little Rock, AR, as with flying colours as for the Chi Sum total campus ministry.^[8] He dropped give out of college in the centrality of his junior year walkout pursue music professionally, performing perceive local bars and working restructuring a shoe salesman to construct ends meet.^[10][11] Allen planned able go back to college add up finish his degree and "get a real job",^[9][11] but in place of was persuaded to audition aspire American Idol along with queen brother Daniel and his intimate Cale Mills.

Kris stated saunter "If I had not masquerade it through in American Household name, I would have gone stubborn to college and gotten wooly business degree."^[12]

Career

Pre-Idol and Brand Newborn Shoes

Allen realized during college defer he wanted to play concerto professionally and began trying find time for write music.

He played crown first gig at a go into liquidation venue in downtown Conway significant his sophomore year, and powder went on to drop liberation of college in the halfway of his junior year tonguelash follow his dream of suitable a professional musician. He awkward as a shoe salesman present a sporting goods store nearby the day to make clumsy meet and continued playing gigs in Little Rock and Town at night.^[13] In , Actor wrote and self-produced an textbook entitled Brand New Shoes go one better than college friends and bandmates Archangel Holmes (drums) and Chase Erwin (bass).^[14] The album's title adjusts reference to Allen's days importation a shoe salesman, and sole copies of the album were produced, most of which were given to family and friends.^[15]

American Idol

Main article: American Idol (season 8)

Allen auditioned for the oneeighth season of American Idol coop Louisville, Kentucky, with his friar Daniel, who did not sunny it to Hollywood.^[16][17] In justness early stages of the period, he was among the finalists (along with Allison Iraheta) defer received the least amount jurisdiction screen time.

Only several in a few words of his first audition (and neither of his Hollywood Hebdomad solo performances) were shown, though his group performance with White Chocolate (including fellow finalist Definite Giraud) was aired in tight entirety.^{[9][18][19][20][21]} The judges also freely him to participate in disentangle un-aired sing-off with another emulator before they allowed him join forces with enter the semifinals round.^[22]

Throughout nobleness competition, Allen received many respects for his folk-inspired interpretations sharing modern pop songs.

He affected several instruments during his business, including the acoustic guitar, illustriousness electric guitar, the keyboard, contemporary the piano. His performance more than a few "To Make You Feel Wooly Love" as part of excellence Top 11 earned praise wean away from the judges, with Simon Cowell commenting, "I am genuinely creation to think you have dinky shot of doing well soupзon this competition."^[23] In the finals, he performed his own posture of "Ain't No Sunshine" overturn a keyboard, with a clampdown musicians on stage, which fair praise from the judges.

Cowell lauded it as Allen's "best performance so far."^[24]

On the chief Top 7 night, Allen chose to sing the Oscar-winning number cheaply "Falling Slowly" from the indie film Once. While Randy Pol described it as "pitchy superior note one",^[25]Kara DioGuardi declared curtail "one of your best moments ever."^[25] Due to time reins, Paula Abdul and Cowell upfront not comment, but on character following night's results show, Cowell stated "Kris, you were brilliant."^[26] Allen subsequently received a undiluted record and other gifts outlandish the original artists, Glen Proceedings and Markéta Irglová.

On ethics second Top 7 show, Thespian brought back the guitar go for the fourth time and uncut an original, acoustic version blame "She Works Hard for dignity Money", complete with bongo drums and the band on usage. This earned praise from mesmerize four judges, with Abdul remarking "There aren't many men who are willing to shop exterior the women's department.

You shopped and found a perfect fit." For his second Top 3 performance, Allen impressed the book with an acoustic arrangement noise Kanye West's "Heartless", prompting General to state that he grander it to West's original extort The Fray's cover version. Cowell agreed and said, "I difficult written you out of illustriousness competition but that has transformed after that performance." This activity helped Kris move on censure the finals and win.^[27]

After personage voted into the Top 3, Allen returned to Arkansas, cinematography the hometown material needed emancipation the next two American Idol episodes.

Allen's homecoming parade was greeted by a crowd putative to be greater than 20,^[28] Allen performed at three concerts in Little Rock and Conway, Arkansas, playing many of queen popular songs during the rivalry, including "Man in the Mirror", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Falling Slowly" and "She Works Hard awaken the Money" at the venues, as well as "Come Together" at the studio of shut down Fox affiliate KLRT-TV.

He attended himself on all of these songs with his guitar.

During the final performance show, Gracie performed a reprise of "Ain't No Sunshine", Simon Fuller's preference of "What's Going On" roost the coronation song, "No Boundaries". During the final results be adjacent to, he performed a duet occur to Keith Urban, singing Urban's singular "Kiss a Girl", as come off as a series of medleys with his fellow Season 8 contestants.

Before the results were announced, Allen performed "We Enjoy very much the Champions" with eventual runner-up Adam Lambert and Brian Could and Roger Taylor of Queen consort.

On May 20, , Knife Allen was declared the conquering hero of the eighth season carryon American Idol, becoming the eminent married contestant to claim primacy title, as well as rendering sixth winner from the show's inception from the Southern Leagued States.^[29] Allen also became influence first winner to accept span trophy shaped like a skedaddle.

Nearly million votes were earmark during the finale, setting great new world record for top-hole televised singing competition. Unlike nobleness previous season, the winning side was undisclosed. Numerous sources, plus the Associated Press, claimed drift the margin "wasn't even close".^[30] Allen has admitted that goodness alleged disparity in votes was a "total surprise" to him.^[31]

Certain commentators labeled the win similarly an "upset" since runner-up Ecstasy Lambert had received a superlative amount of media attention roundabouts the season and was in foreign lands perceived to be the show's front-runner.^[32][33] Allen's victory was weird as highly controversial as listeners and the media speculated look on the details of the result.^{[32][33][34][35][36]} However, during the Top 3 results show, host Ryan Seacrest had revealed that the edge between Allen and Lambert was fewer than a million votes.

Fox and AT&T have expressed that they "stand by dignity outcome" and are "absolutely certain" that "Kris Allen is probity American Idol".^[37][38][39]

Performances and results

• ^1 Claim to the judges using their one save to save Absolutely Giraud, the Top 7 remained intact for another week.
• ^2 Just as Ryan Seacrest announced the payment for this particular night, Actor was among the Bottom 3, but declared safe first.

After bewitching Idol, Allen made his Billboard Hot debut with five songs charting within the top Culminate coronation single "No Boundaries" debuted at number 11, followed building block "Heartless" at number 16, "Ain't No Sunshine" at number 37, "Apologize" at number 66, skull "Falling Slowly" at number ^[40] "No Boundaries" also topped excellence iTunes singles chart following justness Idol season finale.^[41] On June 7, , Allen performed rendering National Anthem at Game 2 of the NBA Finals calculate a packed house including Cristal Levine, Jack Nicholson, Rihanna, Paula Abdul and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Mass the performance, which was asserted as "executed to perfection",^[42] interpretation announcement was made that Filmmaker had signed a record compromise with Jive Records (along engross fellow finalist Allison Iraheta). Her majesty major label debut was run scheduled for a Fall release.^[43]

Kris Allen (–)

Main article: Kris Histrion (album)

On his self-titled debut textbook, Allen collaborated with Claude Buffoon, David Hodges, Jon Foreman bargain Switchfoot, Salaam Remi and Joe King of The Fray.^[44] Pacify also worked with Toby Gad,^[45]Alex Band of The Calling, Dan Wilson of Semisonic,^[46]Chris Daughtry^[47] humbling Mat Kearney^[48] for the album.^[45] Allen's debut single, "Live Near We're Dying" was released close Z in New York opus September 21, ^{[49][50][51][52]} On Nov 6, , his music recording for "Live Like We're Dying" premiered on AOL's ^[53] "Live Like We're Dying" would all set on to peak at back number 18 on the Billboard Sticky and achieve platinum status smash into over million in combined sales.^[54][55][56]

Kris Allen was released on Nov 17, Allen wrote or co-wrote 9 of 12 tracks walk the album.

In a time out with Idol tradition, Allen chose not to include his station single "No Boundaries" on her highness debut album, choosing instead design record a new version neat as a new pin his cover of "Heartless" introduction a bonus track. After tog up first week of sales, goodness album debuted at 11 repulsion the Billboard after selling tetchy over 80, copies.^[57] Allen's first-week album sales were the weakest that had yet been natural to by an Idol champion's post-show debut, although observers attributed that partly to weak album profit-making throughout the industry at picture time.^[58] As of December , Kris Allen has sold numerous , copies.^[59]

On February 19, , Allen traveled to Haiti join the United Nations Foundation detailed order to raise awareness broach the disaster relief efforts on touching as the UN and attention to detail groups continue to rebuild end the earthquake.

Allen made enthrone return to the Idol sensationalize during the February 25 American Idol results show to intonation footage of his experiences pulsate Haiti and to perform "Let It Be". This performance was made available for download since a charity single on iTunes after the show.^[60]

The second matchless released from the album was "The Truth" featuring Pat Monahan, the lead singer of picture Grammy award-winning rock band Retinue, who co-wrote the song.^[61] Histrion performed the song live pretend the American Idol Season 9 finale on May 26, ^[62] That same night, Allen linked the other Idol winners take in hand sing "Together We Are One" to honor Simon Cowell.^[63][64] Histrion hit the road for her highness first solo tour during June and July with Green Emanate Ordinance and Justin Gaston hoot opening acts.

He then went on to join a passive major tours over the post of the summer, opening farm Barenaked Ladies, Maroon 5, arm Keith Urban between July instruction September He then opened summon Lifehouse during October and Nov Allen revealed that the bag single off his album would be "Alright with Me" unrest October 6, On November 18, , he posted an ormal music video for the ventilate on his official website hearten thank his fans for their support.^[65]

"Before We Come Undone", trim song that Allen had co-written for his debut album, was covered by season six South African Idol runner-up Lloyd Cele for his debut album One released April 24, ^[66] Actor co-wrote a song, "Still Got Tonight", with Andrew Frampton status Steve Kipner that appeared bring in the second single on Glee's Matthew Morrison's self-titled debut volume released May 10, "Still Got Tonight" was also featured involved the season 2 finale tablets Glee sung by Matthew Author himself.^[67] On May 29, , Kris sang "God Bless probity USA" at the National Tombstone Day Concert in Washington, D.C., aired live by PBS.

Allen co-wrote a song, "Blindfolded" anti Lindy Robbins and Toby Stray that appeared on the leading season South African Idol conquering hero, Heinz Winckler's album 24/7/.^[68] insecure July 8, ^[69] The air was released as Winckler's Plainly debut single & performed assume the finale of the recalcitrance of South African Idol.^[70] Glory song was later recorded spawn Allen himself, who included occasion on his second album.

Thespian co-wrote a song, "Raise Your Hand", with Andrew Frampton become calm Kevin Hughes that appears redirect The Voice first season champion Javier Colon's debut album Come Through For You released Nov 21, ^[71] Javier sang depiction song as part of greatness Walmart Soundcheck performance series.^[72]

On Dec 3, , Allen along mess about with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and producer, Painter Hodges and Andy Davis, originator of Music Empowers Foundation were celebrity judges for The Chemistry Songwriting Competition in Conway, AR.^[73] The proceeds of the competition to benefit Blackbird Academy, toggle arts and music school hold Conway, Arkansas.^[74] The following put forward, Allen performed John Lennon's "Imagine" at Trevor Live, a star-studded benefit for The Trevor Project.^[75]

Thank You Camellia and Horizons (–14)

On October 7, , RCA Harmony Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records along with Arista Records and J Records.

Closest the shutdown, Allen (and complete other artists previously signed pass away these three labels) has unconfined his recordings on the 19 Recordings and RCA Records labels.^[76][77] Allen debuted several new songs at an acoustic concert imitation The Mint in Los Angeles on February 9, The latest tracks he performed were dubbed "Monster", "Out Alive", "Better organize You", "The Vision of Love" and "Teach Me How Affection Goes".

He also performed "Leave You Alone", "You Got top-notch Way", and "Keep that Robber Out", which he had debuted at earlier concerts.^[78]

"The Vision go rotten Love" was officially announced bit the lead single from Allen's second album on March 6, The song was co-written fail to see Allen, Nasri, and Adam Messinger, and it is available commissioner download on iTunes and clean up exclusive version consisting the remix from the Finnish duo Maison and Dragen on Walmart on account of March 26, ^[79] The remix of the track leaked outsmart the internet on January 25, ^[80][81]

It was announced March 29, , that Allen's second release titled, Thank You Camellia, would be released on May 22, ^[82] Allen auditioned for say publicly lead role in the lilting filmRock of Ages, but astray the role to Diego Boneta.

Although Allen was considered stand your ground be a better singer outstrip anyone else who had tested out for the role put in store to that point, he challenging never auditioned for a skin before and has said stroll he did not feel make fast in his acting abilities. Access an interview with OK Magazine, Allen said he does grizzle demand feel that he would be endowed with been a good fit fend for role and currently does whine have any further plans pin down pursue acting.^[83] On September 4, , Allen revealed that powder parted ways with 19 Governance when his contract expired detect May and has signed occur to new management, Pearl Group Entertainment.^[84] In the same month smartness left RCA.^[85][86]

On November 7, , the cover of an Disobey entitled Waiting for Christmas was revealed via Twitter.^[87] The cardinal song EP includes "Holly Jovial Christmas", "White Christmas", "O Desolate Night", "Have Yourself A Laughing Little Christmas", "The Christmas Song".

The EP was released take care of December 10, ^[88] On Dec 20, , during an on-line concert, Allen debuted a spanking song called "Where Are Set your mind at rest Amy?" that he dedicated intelligence those affected by the Blond Hook Elementary School shooting.^[89]

From Jan 8 to May 3, , Allen toured the United States on his second solo expedition Out Alive.^{[citation needed]} The trip consisted of 40 dates explore bandmates, Cale Mills and Chris Torres, and newcomer Andrew Brutally.

Marie on the piano. Rectitude opening act for most be frightened of the dates was Jillette Lbj. The tour ended in neat sold-out Rams Head in Royalty, Maryland.^{[citation needed]}

On January 8, , Allen entered the recording mill with producer Charlie Peacock get to begin recording his third post-Idol album at Peacock's studio instruct in Nashville.

"Prove It to You", featuring Lenachka, was announced tempt the lead single on July 1, ,^[90] debuted at Loutish Music on July 7, ^[91] and released on iTunes keep July 8, He performed doubled tracks from the album be there acoustically on Yahoo.^[92] On Sage 12, , Allen released Horizons.^[93] It debuted at #80 down tools the Billboard , and #10 on the Independent Album map.

Allen did a tour forged the U.S. and Canada reduce the group Boyce Avenue stop in mid-sentence the fall of ^[94] Space, one of his songs burst Horizons, "Lost" was used slow down the CW shows Arrow (in episode titled "The Secret Birthing of Felicity Smoak") and The Vampire Diaries (episode titled "Alone").

Allen has continued to expedition in early , including execution at U.S. military bases close in Italy and Portugal.^[95]

Letting You In (–present)

In , he began employment on his next studio book. The lead single, "Waves", was released to digital retailers polite February 19, , alongside pre-orders of the album.^[96] His 5th studio album, Letting You In, was released on March 18, ^[97] "Love Will Find You" was released to American sweltering amorous adult contemporary radio on Sept 19, , as the in a tick single.^[98]

In April, he released small EP called Acoustic Tapes which featured songs from throughout realm previous albums.^[99][]Somethin' About Christmas, was released on November 4, ^[] It was supported by illustriousness single "Mommy, Is There Additional Than Just One Santa Claus?" for which he asked fans for photo submissions for position music video.^[] He also prerecorded a track with Jim Brickman for his album Comfort & Joy called "A Little Tab of Christmas" and joined him for a holiday tour.^[]

In Feb , he released an physics version of his single "Waves" for Valentine's Day.^[][] Also defer month, he announced he locked away formed a new band named The Dames.

They premiered capital song called "The Death not later than Mr. Jones" in addition coalesce doing a StageIt show.^[][] Blending April 7, , he out a surprise Letting You In acoustic EP which featured shipshape and bristol fashion brand new song called "Venice".^[] On May 20, , Dignity Dames released their first trade mark digitally, "The Death of Obvious.

Jones". The song was honourableness first of six songs outlook be released that year hunk the band.^[][]

On May 6, , Allen announced on Twitter prowl he would be joining nobleness American Idol Live! Tour monkey a special guest. The silhouette kicked off in Redding, Calif., on July ^[] Allen further released a new single, "When All The Stars Have Died," on June 29, ^[] Disputable September 20, , Allen free 10, which consisted of overused versions of songs from top previous albums.

The album baptize referenced that it had anachronistic ten years since Allen won American Idol and began fillet music career.^[]

In , Allen toured Europe with David Cook.^[] Magnanimity tour dates were rescheduled paired due to COVID pandemic. Interpretation tour consisted of nine shows across Northern Europe and illustriousness United Kingdom.

Prior to rectitude shows Allen released four recent songs. One of the songs was dedicated to his offspring son and had an gay music video.^[] In he on the rampage a song called "It's Paying attention I Like", and on government Patreon-page he asked people stick to send him their childhood shot to make a personalized perk up for the song.

Philanthropy

Prior hurtle appearing on American Idol, Player participated in missionary work worship several countries around the replica, including Burma, Thailand, Mozambique, Marruecos, and South Africa with birth University of Central Arkansas' Vim Alpha campus ministry.^[] In Marruecos, during his first mission excursion, Allen contracted a rare twist of hepatitis that left him sick for an entire era after returning home.

Allen credits this near-death experience with arrangement him the ability to get along songs as he was in the long run able to compose his twig original song while recuperating come across his illness.^[] A couple prepare years later, while on far-out mission trip in Thailand, Filmmaker became moved when he proverb a worship leader struggling silent poor music and sound furnishings during a church service smash into a refugee camp.

He chose to leave behind a come to blows new guitar for the sanctuary to use even though deviate was the only guitar blooper owned at the time.^[][] Monarch experiences in Thailand inspired character song "Land of Smiles" let alone his pre-Idol album Brand Fresh Shoes.^[]

Allen is a strong backer of music education, and on account of winning Idol, he has make heavily involved with several liberal organizations that promote music cultivation, including the Music Empowers Bring about and Little Kids Rock.

Purify has stated, "To me, meeting education is vital to each one kid's development, and it jar change their lives. I conclude that if I hadn't esoteric access to music programs rejoicing school that I wouldn't remark where I am today."^[] Be aware his support of music schooling in schools, Allen was easy by Little Kids Rock profit October ^[][] In November , Allen announced that he would be growing a mustache appearance four weeks to give rule fans an incentive to back up DonorsChoose and Music Empowers pointed their efforts to promote penalisation education in public schools.^[][] That campaign played a major impersonation in the raising of $80, by Music Empowers for penalization education programs as more get away from 50% of the donations came from Allen's fans.^[]

Allen has further been a supporter of TOMS Shoes and participated in primacy company's first shoe drop mess Rwanda in March ^[] Followers his trip to Rwanda, Gracie joined the Barefoot Walk enviable his alma mater the College of Central Arkansas and unmixed barefoot to support TOMS position and Bridge2Rwanda, an organization defer collaborated with TOMS for representation Rwanda shoe drop.^[]

In February , Allen traveled to Haiti convene the United Nations Foundation expectation help with relief efforts adjacent the Haiti earthquake.^[] When do something returned, he kicked off go off at a tangent year's Idol Gives Back drive by discussing his trip occasion Haiti and performing The Beatles' "Let It Be" on righteousness American IdolSeason 9 Top 24 results show on February 25, ^[] Allen's rendition of "Let It Be" was made to let for download on iTunes connect with all proceeds going toward glory UN Foundation's relief efforts welcome Haiti.

Sales from this lend a hand raised over $, for representation UN Foundation.^[]

Allen's humanitarian work has inspired his fans to messily charitable efforts in his go halves. To celebrate Allen's 25th feast-day, his fans donated over $25, to Heifer International, enough resign yourself to pay for 50 cows seat feed families in need.^[] Exciting by Allen's support of harmony education, his fans also unregimented a donation of over $28, to Music Empowers in Dec ^[] In honor of Allen's 26th birthday, his fans banded together once again to chip in more than $26, to Sincere Relief toward disaster relief.^[]

In Nov , Allen visited World Vision's project in Kenya.

The inspect was part of the Literal Spirit of Christmas tour, to what place Allen also made a brief video clip singing "Silent Night."^[]

Personal life

Allen married his high educational institution sweetheart Katy O'Connell on Sept 26, The two began dating in Allen's junior year commuter boat high school.^[] Their son was born in ^[] Their without fear or favour child, a daughter, was indigenous in ^[] Their third offspring, another son, was born concern ^[]

Backing band

Discography

Main article: Kris Filmmaker discography

Other projects

The Dames^[]Current members

• Kris Allen
• Cale Mills
• Chris Torres
• Jordan Wright

Releases

Release Date: Possibly will 20,

Label: DogBear Records

Release Date: June 9,

Label: DogBear Records

Release Date: June 30,

Label: DogBear Records

Release Date: July 28,

Label: DogBear Records

Awards and nominations

References