If all goes well, we’re in for a great finale to this season’s American Idol with two very different but equally* talented (and captivating) finalists. Will glam-rocker Adam Lambert steal the show with his firecracker moves or will the quiet guitar hero Kris Allen sneak away with the title? Two writers weigh in on the finalists.

Adam Lambert

I HAD sworn that if Adam Lambert did not receive a spot in the Top Two, I would not watch the final. Never mind the injustice, who would want to sit through a final between Danny Gokey and Kris Allen? The thought of this insipid scenario had me – an unabashedly devoted fan of Idol since season three – sick. I feel that there has never been such a wide chasm*, in terms of talent, between the Top Two since Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo.

Allen’s charm (like DeGarmo) lies in his everyman image. He could easily be you or me – and I mean that in terms of talent. There is nothing he has done that most people with a gift of music couldn’t do or practise a little and master*. And I don’t dislike the guy. I think he’s cute and he’s worked hard to get where he is. But in a year’s time, I’m not going to remember him.

Lambert, on the other hand, is a completely different kettle of fish. What he possesses is undeniable greatness (don’t roll your eyes, all you Kris-fans). Whether or not you like Lambert’s voice (some prefer to think of it as shrieking), the eyeliner, the leather (you might think it’s too showy and rock’n’noll) or his personality, I don’t think you can argue that week after week, Lambert “brings it”.

He has consistently wowed the judges, the mentors and the voting (and non-voting) audience with great performances, and a talent he has honed since he was little. The faces of his parents – who are in the audience each week – say it all.

Here’s why I think he so deserves to be where he is, and go the full distance.

Adam Lambert

It’s all in the genes: Don’t take my word for it. The mentors, from Smokey Robinson, Slash and Quentin Tarantino to Jamie Foxx, all have said it before. And even the judges have all reiterated how gifted Lambert is. Katy Perry’s sly nod to Lambert (her Elvis cape had his name on it) during her performance last week proved that even those who have made it in the business, recognise his talent. He has an outstanding vocal range, so much charisma, is good-looking, and excels at both loud and strong, as well as stripped-back under-the-spotlight type of performances. He’s good at changing up arrangements and surprising audiences. Even the camera loves him.

The show must go on: American Idol is designed to unearth talented people like Lambert. It’s mind-boggling why this guy hasn’t already been picked up by a recording company or hired by a rock band. Lambert, I believe, has what it takes to make it outside the show. Very few AI champs – in fact, only Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson – have gone on to enormous success. This guy seems destined for big things.

You gotta love him: Lambert’s sincerity seems real. He always takes criticism with a smile or a small laugh and is supremely confident. One of the best things about this 26-year-old theatre actor is that he seems to know who he is and makes no bones about his choices and preferences. He does what he does well and inspires others in the process. His trip to the Metropolitan Educational Theatre in San Diego, California, last week showed just what a great role model he is to young people in the industry. It got me all teary-eyed. The homecoming episodes always offer a glimpse into the future and I think Lambert’s trip really gave you a bird’s eye view of his wide-ranging appeal – he’s got five-year-olds rooting for him, grandmothers waiting with their cameras, teenagers baring their bodies, broadcasters going ga-ga, cheerleaders screaming, and marching bands parading. Hey, this guy has American Idol written all over him.

Kris Allen

By S. INDRAMALAR

“DON’T cry, Mama.” It’s just one “Aww-shucks” moment after another with Arkansas boy Kris Allen, isn’t it?

From the embrace with his tearful father (of whom Allen is a spitting image) and mother, to his hometown performances, Allen was all charm during his homecoming in Conway last weekend.

Although judge Simon Cowell warned the 23-year-old college student against being too humble, urging him instead to own the stage, America obviously loves the quiet young man in tight jeans (don’t tell me you didn’t notice!).

Kris Allen

More than 20,000 fans from Conway (which has a population of 52,430, according to Wikipedia) showed up to welcome their hometown hero. And did you see the screaming teens and tweens? Pubescent America has obviously found a new idol and thankfully, it’s one who actually has more talent than theatrics.

The only problem is, Allen will be up against a singer who has both talent and theatrics. It’s going to be one helluva final and although I ain’t taking no sides this year (I like ’em both), I am hoping for some kick-a** performances with, hopefully, no annoying interruptions from the unbelievably irritating panel of judges. So here’s my tribute to Allen and my reasons why he deserves his spot in the final.

Let’s keep it real: If nothing else, this year we are reassured that American Idol is indeed a reality show. Now, you would have to be blind not to have noticed how the judges – all four of them – were gunning for a Danny Gokey-Adam Lambert showdown. For 13 weeks, Gokey could do no wrong. Sure, he’d get a token criticism here and there (i.e Cowell’s “your dancing was desperate” or “that last note was like watching a horror movie”) but what took the cake was Cowell’s impertinent comment at the end of last week’s show: “Look, none of us would have predicted this, guys.” It was clear as crystal that Gokey was the judges’ favourite and as paranoid as I am convinced they chose OneRepublic’s Apologise for Allen to sabotage his chances. Well, too bad. America voted and this year the message was clear: to heck with network manipulation, judges be gone: Kris Allen, you rock (albeit shyly).

Charles Darwin would be proud: Argue with me if you dare but I think Allen has evolved the most in the competition. When he sang Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror in the Top 36 week, we didn’t know who Kris Allen was. But he wowed us then and continued to surprise us with great performances such as in the Country Music week when he sang Garth Brooks’ To Make You Feel My Love or Songs from the Cinema week when he delivered Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s Falling Slowly. And don’t forget last week’s performance – who would have expected the lad to tackle a Kanye West number?

Have guitar will travel: He may not be the best guitarist out there but you gotta admit: Kris Allen + acoustic guitar = entrancing. Even in one of his weaker performances – singing The Beatles’ Come Together – judge Randy Jackson complimented him on his playing technique. The best part about Allen is he does not try to be anything but himself. You know he will not “shock and awe” (like Lambert), and he’s not going to try and dance when he can’t (like Gokey). He’s good with his guitar, impressive with the piano, clever with his song arrangements – and that’s exactly what he capitalises on every week.

* Open to debate

CATCH American Idol 8 on Star World (Astro Channel 711) Finale performance night: Wednesday at 6pm (direct off satellite) and 8pm (primetime encore) Finale result night: Thursday at 8am LIVE; repeats at 6pm, 8pm and 12.30am (Friday)

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