Five Reasons Why Adam Lambert Lost ...

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The 'American Idol' finale was set to be an obvious win for Adam Lambert, as he was featured on Entertainment Weekly's latest cover and was constantly praised week after week by the judges. But when Kris Allen was named this year's 'Idol,' even he seemed surprised. So how did the underdog conquer this season? NY Daily News breaks down the anatomy of Allen's surprising win for us.

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5 Reasons Why Kris Allen Beat Adam Lambert

1. Risks & Rewards : Although Lambert took more music risks than Allen, his risks (when they didn't pay off) "missed the mark by a wide margin." When Lambert performed Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire,' judge Simon Cowell called it "absolute indulgent rubbish."

2. Gokey's Elimination : When Allen sang a stripped down version of Kanye West's 'Heartless,' he set himself apart, and Danny Gokey was eliminated. With Gokey out of the competition, his fans likely choose to vote for Allen, who represented the boy-next-door qualities that most teenage American girls would vote for.

3. "Red state / Blue state" politics : Perhaps Lambert's painted fingernails, "guyliner," and uncertain sexuality left many more likely to vote for Allen who showcased his down-home and churchgoing persona.

4. Pressure : Lambert was set-up for failure. With all eyes on Lambert, more people expected him to be perfect during every performance. With less pressure, Allen swooped in to take the 'Idol' title.

5. The Finale Song : The down-home feel of 'No Boundaries' set Allen up for a win. He knocked it out of the park because of his ability to really connect with the song's lyrics about overcoming obstacles and persevering.

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Listen to 'No Boundaries'

Full 'Idol' Finale Story | Red Carpet CoverageDownload Kris Allen Songs

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