Kris Allen beats Adam Lambert

Minutes before Kris Allen was announced as the new American Idol, he and Adam Lambert sang "We Are the Champions," the 1977 smash by the rock band Queen. As the pyrotechnics sizzled and a large choir (including this year's other "Idol" finalists) backed them up, those two unlikely partners in bringing back heat to the long-running series had one last laugh together.

It was Lambert's moment. It felt like his victory. Ever since he auditioned with an a cappella version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," fans of the fiery-voiced Southland native had been clamoring for him to sing a Queen song. And here he was doing it, leaning on guitarist Brian May's shoulder, fitting right into the spot originally occupied by Freddie Mercury -- one of the most sensationally gifted frontmen in rock history. Allen seemed delighted to be his wing man. And then, in a surprise that really wasn't a surprise at all, he grabbed away the spotlight.

Well, sort of. When Ryan Seacrest announced Allen's victory Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre, the sweet- natured troubadour actually seemed a bit distressed. "It feels good, man, but Adam deserves this," he said.

Kris Allen beats Adam Lambert

Minutes before Kris Allen was announced as the new American Idol, he and Adam Lambert sang "We Are the Champions," the 1977 smash by the rock band Queen. As the pyrotechnics sizzled and a large choir (including this year's other "Idol" finalists) backed them up, those two unlikely partners in bringing back heat to the long-running series had one last laugh together.

It was Lambert's moment. It felt like his victory. Ever since he auditioned with an a cappella version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," fans of the fiery-voiced Southland native had been clamoring for him to sing a Queen song. And here he was doing it, leaning on guitarist Brian May's shoulder, fitting right into the spot originally occupied by Freddie Mercury -- one of the most sensationally gifted frontmen in rock history. Allen seemed delighted to be his wing man. And then, in a surprise that really wasn't a surprise at all, he grabbed away the spotlight.

Well, sort of. When Ryan Seacrest announced Allen's victory Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre, the sweet- natured troubadour actually seemed a bit distressed. "It feels good, man, but Adam deserves this," he said.

''Adam Lambert'' American Idol Top 3 Finalist

It seems like every time Simon Cowell makes a talk-show appearance lately, he's been saying nothing but nice things about "American Idol" fan favorite Adam Lambert.

When he stopped by "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Monday, he was asked who he'd bet has the best chance of winning, and once again he picked Lambert.

"I think he's got that 'it.' And I think he's fearless," he told Winfrey. "I think he's unique. And he's got swagger."

Cowell echoed that sentiment when he visited Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show last week. "If it was me, based on originality and worldwide appeal, I would say Adam [should win]," he said. "He's unique. I like the fact he's fearless. He's not playing it safe. A lot of the people that take part in these shows want to sing 'Wind Beneath My Wings' every week because it's a sappy song. He's got guts."

Although Cowell might not be surprised to see Lambert still in the competition, he is surprised that "Idol" is still on the air all these years later. Initially, he didn't have much faith that the show would last very long.

"If someone had said to me nine [seasons] ago we were going to have this conversation now ... I'd say it would never happen in a million years," he said on Winfrey's show. "The truth is that I did sign a contract for a period of time, which meant last year was my last year. I'd agreed at the end of that time period, that was it."

Biography:
Adam was born in Indiana, but his family moved to San Diego when he was just a baby. Adam moved to Orange County, California to attend college, but he quit school soon after he enrolled to pursue a musical theater career in Los Angeles.

Adam has one brother. Neil Lambert, who is younger than Adam, was a regular supporter of Adam each week in the American Idol audience.

''Adam Lambert'' American Idol Top 3 Finalist

It seems like every time Simon Cowell makes a talk-show appearance lately, he's been saying nothing but nice things about "American Idol" fan favorite Adam Lambert.

When he stopped by "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Monday, he was asked who he'd bet has the best chance of winning, and once again he picked Lambert.

"I think he's got that 'it.' And I think he's fearless," he told Winfrey. "I think he's unique. And he's got swagger."

Cowell echoed that sentiment when he visited Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show last week. "If it was me, based on originality and worldwide appeal, I would say Adam [should win]," he said. "He's unique. I like the fact he's fearless. He's not playing it safe. A lot of the people that take part in these shows want to sing 'Wind Beneath My Wings' every week because it's a sappy song. He's got guts."

Although Cowell might not be surprised to see Lambert still in the competition, he is surprised that "Idol" is still on the air all these years later. Initially, he didn't have much faith that the show would last very long.

"If someone had said to me nine [seasons] ago we were going to have this conversation now ... I'd say it would never happen in a million years," he said on Winfrey's show. "The truth is that I did sign a contract for a period of time, which meant last year was my last year. I'd agreed at the end of that time period, that was it."

Biography:
Adam was born in Indiana, but his family moved to San Diego when he was just a baby. Adam moved to Orange County, California to attend college, but he quit school soon after he enrolled to pursue a musical theater career in Los Angeles.

Adam has one brother. Neil Lambert, who is younger than Adam, was a regular supporter of Adam each week in the American Idol audience.