AT&T May Have Swayed Idol Outcome to Favor Kris Allen

Us Magazine - May 27, 2009 5:32 AM PDT
Story photo: AT&T May Have Swayed Idol Outcome to Favor Kris AllenAdam Lambert and Kris Allen arrive at the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesUs Magazine
The New York Times is reporting that American Idol's Kris Allen may have had a little help from AT&T, one of the Fox show's biggest corporate sponsors, in winning this year.

According to the Times, AT&T provided phones for free text-messaging services at two Allen parties in Arkansas on the night of the finals. Citing sources, The Times reports that AT&T reps showed party-goers how to "power text" -- cast 10 votes at the touch of a button -- which violates show rules.

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Power texts, according to the Times, "have an exponentially greater effect on voting than do single text messages or calls to the shows toll-free phone lines."

No similar efforts appear to have been made to provide free texting services to Adam Lambert fans.

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Angry Lambert supporters are now claiming in online chat boards that the competition's voting was rigged.

While Fox has yet to comment, AT&T issued the following statement: "In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested."

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The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first reported on the possible skewed voting last week.

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comments 1-10 of 6138  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Jenna
    I think that both of the singers are really good. I also think they both deserved to win. Kris probobly won because he has a good voice and he sings music that people would listen to now, and Adam sings older songs that people have never even heard of. Besides it not a competition about who has the biggest voice, it is about singing good while singing songs people actually would listen to.
    report abuseposted July 23, 2009 6:10 PM PDT
  • Jenna
    I think that both of the singers are really good. I also think they both deserved to win. Kris probobly won because he has a good voice and he sings music that people would listen to now, and Adam sings older songs that people have never even heard of. Besides it not a competition about who has the biggest voice, it is about singing good while singing songs people actually would listen to.
    report abuseposted July 23, 2009 6:10 PM PDT
  • patti
    OK for my veiw on this outcome.... I have always thought that the rules are that this was an open opportunity for the singers/entertainers that were or had not been under a contract for professional performers...Now having said that I think Kris won because he deserve to.He won the votes of the people because of his natural ability to play multiple instruments and accompany himself,let every one
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 9:33 AM PDT
  • patti
    OK for my veiw on this outcome.... I have always thought that the rules are that this was an open opportunity for the singers/entertainers that were or had not been under a contract for professional performers...Now having said that I think Kris won because he deserve to.He won the votes of the people because of his natural ability to play multiple instruments and accompany himself,let every one
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 9:31 AM PDT
  • bussy
    bull...dey bith sang well..and then accept the fact that kriss is the wiinner
    report abuseposted June 14, 2009 11:48 AM PDT
  • Paul
    Yes, Adam will have a great career, much like Clay Aiken who lost to Ruben Studdard. Ruben, while being an acceptable singer, simply will not be as big as Clay. Adam has his exposure and his fans. Enough said.
    report abuseposted June 11, 2009 3:36 AM PDT
  • Paul
    David %@!*#ey's fans went for Kris, he is a more similar vocalist than Adam. THAT is what happened. No conspiracy.
    report abuseposted June 11, 2009 3:33 AM PDT
  • Paul
    David %@!*#ey's fans went for Kris, he is a more similar vocalist than Adam. THAT is what happened. No conspiracy.
    report abuseposted June 11, 2009 3:33 AM PDT
  • Dale Reynolds
    Yes I want to know why Iam being censored, what the point of making a comment if your going to remove it. I read the guidelines and I dont break any of them.
    report abuseposted June 3, 2009 9:26 AM PDT
  • kid
    you don't censor any of the other comments that millions find appauling but you're censoring mine. just goes to show that you have no credibility, no morals, no class. the AI should perish because it is fake and so are the producers and creators of this sham scam. please find something else to do with your talent, power and money.
    report abuseposted June 3, 2009 6:08 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 6138  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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