Answer
Kris Allen was the winner of American Idol's eighth season in 2009. He was a 23-year-old singer from Conway, Arkansas, who beat out runner-up Adam Lambert in the finale. Allen's win was considered a surprise by many, as Lambert was the front-runner going into the finale. However, Allen's more traditional style of music appealed to a wider audience, and he was able to win over the judges and the voters.