[Editor’s Note: This story was first published in June 2009.]
by Levi Walker Gilbert
Where were you on July 21, 2008?
Kris Allen was in Louisville, Ky., trying out for American Idol. A year later, he is the American Idol.
[Editor’s Note: This story was first published in June 2009.]
by Levi Walker Gilbert
Where were you on July 21, 2008?
Kris Allen was in Louisville, Ky., trying out for American Idol. A year later, he is the American Idol.
It was a journey like no other – a journey traveled by the Allen family, the 501, Arkansas and nearly 30 million Americans per airing – and now, Kris Allen isn’t just our Idol, he’s America’s Idol.
Brandon Shatswell never once doubted that his friend, Kris Allen, would win American Idol. Well, there was one time.
“Rock week,” Shatswell said. “He got criticized by the judges on ‘Come Together,’ and I remember thinking for the first time: Could he? Could he go home?
“But the next morning, the doubts disappeared and I got my confidence back. That was my only weak moment.”
Brandon and his wife Rebecca, executive worship pastors at New Life Church, have shared a close bond with Allen on and off the stage for the past three years.
The couple attended two airings of American Idol back in March during “Motown Week,” and they were invited back by the Allen family for the finale.
The Shatswells flew to Los Angeles on Monday before the finale and had a chance to spend some time with Allen the night before his final performances for America’s vote.
“It was a good time for all of us,” Rebecca said. “He was able to talk through some things with us, and I think that settled his presence of mind a little bit. He and Adam had less time that week than they ever had in the weeks past and they were doing three songs instead of one. Two of the songs were new, so he was naturally a little nervous because of a lack of prep time.”
For the finale, Allen reprised Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and took on two new songs: producer pick “What’s Going On” and the coronation song, “No Boundaries,” written by Idol judge Kara DioGuardi.
Allen performed one of his best of the season with “Ain’t No Sunshine,” but he did receive criticism for his stripped down version of Marvin Gaye’s classic. Neither Allen nor fellow Final 2 contestant Adam Lambert performed to their best on “No Boundaries.”
“After the performance night, he wasn’t worried about the results,” Rebecca said. “He was OK with how everything went.”
Brandon added, “He was in good spirits. It was a win-win situation for him. He would have been happy for Adam to win. He never felt like he had to beat Adam. On a baser level, he was just ready for the finish.”
Less than 24 hours later, Allen was named the next American Idol.
“When [American Idol Host] Ryan Seacrest said ‘dim the lights,’ I knew we had it,” Brandon said.
“I still wondered,” Rebecca said. “Not because I didn’t think he couldn’t win, I just wouldn’t be surprised either way. I was shocked into silence. I just kept running it in my head. They just said ‘Kris Allen.’ Brandon immediately began jumping up and down and hugging me. My sister accidentally punched the guy next to her in the face. Luckily he was also one of Kris’ friends. I was elated.”
Other than Kris’ immediate family, his friends and family that received tickets were seated in the balcony at the massive Nokia Theater. The mission after his winning announcement became finding a way to get down on the floor to celebrate.
Rick Bezet, Kris’ pastor at New Life Church, was the man for the mission.
“Kris was on the stage and we wanted to be there for him,” Bezet said. “Nobody was going to keep us from being there.”
Bezet, along with his wife, Michelle, and the Shatswells, began making their way down to the main floor.
“When we got to the bottom level, there was a security guard,” Brandon said. “Rick started walking past her and she put her hand on his chest to stop him. Rick explained our situation to her, and she let the four of us through.
“Then we came to two sets of doors with two security guards. Rick said he had studied both guards last night, and that he knew which one wouldn’t mind letting us walk past him. He was right!”
Thanks to Bezet’s detective skills, the group made its way to celebrate with Kris’ parents, Kim and Neil.
Allen and his wife, Katy, then proceeded from room to room as the new American Idol made the press rounds. By 12:30 a.m., Allen was finally done with press, but he still had two celebratory parties to attend. Allen got about two hours of sleep before waking up at 3:30 a.m. to hit the press again, with scheduled interviews with Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres.
It’s been non-stop for Allen until the last weekend in May. Kris and Katy were able to come home to Conway and enjoy some of the normalcy of their lives before American Idol, including a Sunday service at New Life Church.
“You could tell it was one of their best moments,” Bezet said. “They love our church, and to have everyone there sitting together was a great thing for them. You could tell they enjoyed being back and doing something they would have been doing every other week. Kris doesn’t have a lot of normal in his life right now. It was a blessing to his family to have that moment with family and friends.”
Bezet met Season 7 contestant Jason Castro at the finale results show, and he gained priceless advice from someone who had been through the ups and downs of American Idol.
“Castro was one person I wanted to meet because he seemed to have the same temperament as Kris,” Bezet said. “I wanted to know what I could do for Kris after it’s all said and done, so I asked Castro what he would have wanted to hear from his friends after his American Idol experience was over.
“He told me to make sure that we stay involved in Kris’ life. He said he didn’t have a lot of friends and support after the show was over.”
Allen spent almost a week at home in Arkansas. It was a week well-spent with friends and family, right when he needed them the most.
Arkansans across the state, but particularly here in the 501, have much to be proud of with a Kris Allen victory. America is seeing through Allen what is special about Arkansas.
“America is getting a great role model,” Bezet said. “There are some good role models out there now, but probably very few. This young man has his whole life in front of him, and he’s postured in such a way that he can really be an influence with his lyrics, his great marriage, his humility and his ability to be liked.
“He’s one of us. That’s the beauty of the 501. I’ve traveled all around the world, but since I’ve moved here [in 2001], I’ve never seen a community like this anywhere else. The support this community gives is like no other place.”
Allen put it best as he stood before 20,000 fans packed at Simon Park in Downtown Conway during his home visit on May 8:
“You’ve changed my life, so I owe that all to you. Thank you so much.”
Allen’s life will never be the same, but Bezet said the challenges he will face in the years ahead are really no different than the challenges we all face.
“His challenge is our challenge: continue to serve the Lord and walk in integrity,” Bezet said. “When you have many open doors in front of you and you’re moving at a fast pace, it becomes harder to keep your integrity. But it doesn’t matter what’s going on around you, it’s what you’re becoming that matters.
“Kris Allen is becoming what he’s always wanted to be.”