Last night the worship leader from Conway, Arkansas pulled off what might be the biggest upset in American Idol history when he beat out the glam rocker from San Diego, Adam Lambert for the title of American Idol.
Allen spent much of the season in the shadow of fellow worship leader Danny Gokey, who was favored to go to the finals with Lambert. Gokey’s poignant personal story – his wife passed away just four months before he auditioned for the show – helped propel him to the finals.
But as the weeks progressed, Allen proved that his ability to interpret songs was a stronger asset than either Gokey’s soulful vocals and poignant personal back story or Lambert’s big rock vocals and theatrical stage persona.

This has been a season with more than a little spiritual edge, with six of the top 13 contestants having ties to Christian music and the church. Michael Sarver sings with his church’s praise team in Jasper, Texas; Matt Giraud has released two independent Christian music CDs; Scott MacIntyre is a seasoned performer who’s has appeared on the “Hour of Power” and sings with his family’s gospel qroup; and Lil Rounds is active in her home church. Gokey led worship at his home church, Faith Builders International, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before he moved to Nashville to pursue his music career; and Allen leads worship at his home church, New Life Church in Conway, Arkansas.
And it isn’t the first time Christian singers have competed on American Idol. Jordin Sparks had won several Gospel Music Association competitions before her Season 6 win. Chris Daughtry, George Huff, RJ Helton, Mandisa, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey and Melinda Doolittle were all Christians artists who went on to have either Christian or mainstream music careers.
Although he’s not the first Christian to win the show, Allen does make history another way: on September 26, 2008, he married longtime girlfriend Katy O’Connell Allen, making him the first married contestant to win American Idol.
The video above is Allen singing the first Idol single, this year co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi. If you missed last night’s results show, the performance show on Tuesday, or any of the episodes, you can catch them here on the Gospel Soundcheck blog. I blogged live every week, giving you the play by play and commentary.
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