KRIS Allen feels like an underdog — despite winning American Idol.

The adorable singer — who won the most recent season of the hit FOX TV talent show — says he has always been “understated”.

“Some people still don’t know how I won the show,” Allen, whose self-titled debut album is released today, told the USA Today newspaper.

“Not in an I-need-to-prove-myself way. I’m very understated. It worked out on the show, and I think it’s going to work out in my career, too.”

The 24-year-old added that he is good at “emotionally connecting to a song and being there with it”.

“I bought my wife a $50 red guitar for her birthday, and she never played it,” he explained. “We ended up hanging it on the wall because it was a good decoration.

“One day, I grabbed it off the wall, tuned it up and started writing a song. It ended up being a metaphor for the way I feel about her.”

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen are more than just good friends — they make sweet, sweet music together, too!

The American Idol winner has revealed how Lambert has been helping him out when it comes to writing songs. (continue)

Kris Allen keeps a piece of his wife Katy’s hair with him at all times.

The American Idol winner apparently brushes the lock on his face when they’re not together, according to the National Enquirer.

“It’s his lucky charm and it makes him feel closer to Katy when he’s away from home,” a source revealed.

Meanwhile, the adorable singer, 24, is dedicating his performances on the American Idol tour to his beloved grandmother, who recently died.

“She was Kris’ biggest fan, and he loved her dearly,” an insider said. “She had been sick for some time… but she was forever upbeat and saw every one of Kris’ performances on Idol.

“When Jeannie died, Kris called his mother Kim and said he’d leave the Idols tour and come home right away. But his mum said that it was Jeannie’s wish that he continue with the tour.”

Kris’ debut album, licensed to Jive Records, will hit record stores this fall. We can’t wait!

American Idol stars Adam Lambert and Kris Allen were snapped outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles Friday. They were taking part in the American Idol Live show, which was being held at the venue. Lambert is in the first two pics; Allen is looking pretty dayum adorable in the third. (continue)

Kris Allen insists he’s “flattered” American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has a crush on him.

Lambert — who recently confirmed speculation he is gay — told Rolling Stone magazine that he thought Allen was cute. (continue)

Adam Lambert admits he had a crush on American Idol winner Kris Allen.

“I was like, ‘Oh, s***, they put me with the cute guy,’ ” Adam tells the new issue of Rolling Stone magazine of rooming in the Idol mansion with Kris. (continue)

Kris Allen has signed a record deal.

The American Idol winner’s debut album, licensed to Jive Records, will hit record stores this fall.

“As exciting as the last few months have been, I’m really looking forward to what is next,” Allen said in a statement.  “I’m very grateful to be working with Simon Fuller and his team at 19 Entertainment, along with Barry Weiss and Jive Records on my debut album.”

“Everyone’s been asking me what it’s going to sound like,” he went on. “It will be very similar to what you heard from me on the show — definitely in the pop/rock genre. I can’t wait to get started!”

Added Fuller, “Kris won the hearts of millions of Americans with his soulful voice, good looks and gracious demeanor. However, it is his passion for music and love of performing that will make sure Kris stands the test of time and makes American Idol proud.”

Allen — whose Idol victory song, No Boundaries, is at No. 23 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart — is set to perform on the upcoming 50-city Idol summer tour, which kicks off July 15 in Portland.

American Idol winner Kris Allen says his emotions are visible in his music.

The singer — who shot to fame on the smash hit US TV talent show — says he uses songs to show the world how he feels.

“I’ve been writing for probably six years or so,” Kris told E! News. “I love writing music. It’s the way that I express how I feel because I’m not a man of many words.

“I’m not very expressive or emotional or whatever, but it comes out in my music. And that’s kind of who I am. I don’t know how great I am at it, but I think I’m getting better.”

“I felt like I did exactly what I wanted to do on the show that I would want to do on a record,” Allen said of his forthcoming CD.

“I mean, maybe stray a little bit on some of the stuff. When I went on the show and I did ‘Ain’t No Sunshine,’ I felt that was the kind of stuff that I wanted to do, stuff that kind of moves people and has that feeling.”

“The only thing that I really want to do is just be respected in the music industry,” he added, “”And whether that means selling albums or winning Grammys or people just liking your music, that’s what I really want to do.”

Kris Allen saw off stiff competition from favorite Adam Lambert to be crowned American Idol champ Wednesday night.

A record-breaking 100 million votes determined the 23-year-old Conway, Arkansas native as the Season 8 winner.

“Adam deserves this,” Kris told the Idol audience. “I’m sorry, I don’t even know what to feel right now. This is crazy!”

Allen wasn’t considered a frontrunner going into the finale. Judge Simon Cowell declared his support for 27-year-old Lambert, saying on Tuesday’s show, “The whole idea about doing a show like this is that you hope you can find a worldwide star — I genuinely believe with all my heart that we have found that with you.”

The turning point in the competition for Kris was arguably his performance of Kanye West’s Heartless.

“I had literally written you out of this competition,” Cowell said then. “That, however, has all changed after that performance.”

Carlos Santana, Cindy Lauper, Queen Latifah, Lionel Richie and the Black Eyed Peas were among the performers at the finale.

Backstage, just moments after he was declared the winner, Kris told Hollyscoop how he feels his personal life will change after his victory.

“I think that hopefully me and my wife will get some more time together, not being in Arkansas as much as I was,” he said.

“I’m just happy that I have a music career,” said Kris. “Since I was 13 years old, I knew this is what I wanted to do,” he added.

“I feel like I’m ready [for stardom]. American Idol boot camp got me ready.”