Kris Allen Chats 'Idol,' His New Album and Why He's Pro-Ellen DeGeneres

By Amber James Posted Sep 28th 2009 09:30AM

Still trying to catch his breath from the whirlwind of his 'American Idol' win, Kris Allen is finally getting settled as a solo artist. Giving fans a peek of what is to come on his new record (on sale November 17), he has released 'Live Like We're Dying,' which delivers a strong message about living life to the fullest. "This first single is a really good introduction to what the rest of the album is going to sound like. It's raw and has an organic feel," Allen tells PopEater. After the jump, he opens up about his post-'Idol' career, what he misses about home and why he's Pro-Ellen DeGeneres.

Listen to 'Live Like We're Dying'

On his post-'Idol' experience: "It's been crazy. We got off the show and went straight into the tour and started making the album. Now we're just focused on the album. It's a good feeling to be focused on one thing. I feel like I should be catching my breath, but sometimes my mind doesn't allow me to do that."

About his new single, 'Live Like We're Dying': "Producers Andrew Frampton, Steve Kipner, Danny O'Donoghue and Mark Sheehan wrote the song. Originally The Script released this song previously as like a B-side track in Germany. I found all that stuff out afterward... But we thought this song would be a good introduction to the new album. Sometimes we forget that we have one life. This is it. At times, we forget about the nicer things that make life worth living -- like relationships or nature. It's a great message."

What he regrets not doing: "I really want to go skydiving, but I'm terrified. I hear it is the coolest thing in the world and the biggest rush. That is something I would want to do at some point in my life."

On working on his own music instead of rehashing covers: "It feels really good. When I tried out for 'American Idol,' my goal was not to win. It was to go out and hopefully do well enough that I could have the opportunity for a music career. That's why I did this."

How his family has dealt with his 'Idol' win? "It has been crazy for them. They're back home where everything is crazy; your hometown is going to go crazier about you than the rest of the world. My mom even gets emails from fans. I don't know how they get her email address. She'll be like, 'Can you sign this for a fan?' and I'm like, 'What the heck, mom? How did you get that?' They deal with a lot of stuff, but they're awesome. They are doing great and trying to get back to somewhat of a normal life right now."

What he misses about home: "I miss my family and friends. Before this, I spent every day with them. It will be good to see them when I do."

On Ellen DeGeneres replacing Paula Abdul as an 'Idol' judge: "Ellen is a good fit for the show. She is going to do a great job. Everyone loves her. She's so funny, but at the same time, she's so warm and easy to talk to... Paula was that warm personality on the show. You were never scared of her or what she was going to say. I don't think any one is going to be scared of Ellen's comments either. She is going to give a good listeners' perspective."

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Kris Allen Gallery

Kris Allen performs during the 'American Idols' 2009 concert tour.
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Kris Allen Snapshots

Kris Allen (L) and Adam Lambert perform during the 2009 American Idols Live concert at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on August 11, 2009 in Uniondale, New York. 2009 American Idols Live Tour Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY United States August 11, 2009 Photo by Kevin Kane/WireImage.com To license this image (58099558), contact WireImage.com

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Musicians Adam Lambert (L) and Kris Allen pose with the keys to their new 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Premium and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at the American Idol Ford Giveaway at Galpin Ford on July 17, 2009 in North Hills, California. Adam Lambert And Kris Allen American Idol Ford Giveaway Galpin Ford North Hills, CA United States July 17, 2009 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (57924398), contact WireImage.com

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(L-R) Ford's Al Uzielli, great great grandson of Henry Ford, gives the keys to Adam Lambert and Kris Allen for their new 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Premium and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at the American Idol Ford Giveaway at Galpin Ford on July 17, 2009 in North Hills, California. Adam Lambert And Kris Allen American Idol Ford Giveaway Galpin Ford North Hills, CA United States July 17, 2009 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (57924328), contact WireImage.com

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Ford's Al Uzielli (C), great great grandson of Henry Ford pose with Adam Lambert (L) and Kris Allen with their new 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Premium and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at the American Idol Ford Giveaway at Galpin Ford on July 17, 2009 in North Hills, California. Adam Lambert And Kris Allen American Idol Ford Giveaway Galpin Ford North Hills, CA United States July 17, 2009 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (57924325), contact WireImage.com

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 16: (L-R) Michael Sarver, Anoop Desai, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey perform at the "American Idols Live!" tour 2009 at Staples Center on July 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anoop Desai;Danny Gokey;Adam Lambert;Kris Allen

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 16: (L-R) Michael Sarver, Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta and Anoop Desai perform at the "American Idols Live!" tour 2009 at Staples Center on July 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anoop Desai;Danny Gokey;Adam Lambert;Kris Allen

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 16: Adam Lambert (L) and Kris Allen (R) perform at the "American Idols Live!" tour 2009 at Staples Center on July 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert;Kris Allen

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Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, kris allen, KrisAllen, music videos, MusicVideos

Comments

(34)

Monday 28 September

By Ladonna

Vote down Vote up Report this

hahahah....I like both Kris and Adam. But because of people like you, I will buy all of Kris' music and I refuse to purchase any of Adams. You are actually hurting your favorite contestant and you don't even realize it....lol

By Ashley

You're really pathetic. It's been four months since the finale and you're still not over it. If you really were an Adam fan, you wouldn't care about a TITLE, but more about the fact that he's getting to do his own music.

And Kris won fair and square, some of you bitterberts are starting to make yourselves look really sad. I love Adam as well, but you're making a HUGE group of people dislike you because of yout need to bash other contestants.

Just stop being bitter already. Kris is an amazing artist, that plays many instruments, writes his own music, and re-arranges songs in a very artistic way. He deserved the title just as much as Adam. I would have been happy with either winning because I knew that they were both going to be stars in their own way.

Tuesday 29 September

By KW195209

And who said I was a fan of Adam's? I never did. I just think Kris sux.Correction, I KNOW Kris sux.

By Dee

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I love Kris' new single. I was so happy that he won AI. Kris is a true artist who can write his own music, play several instruments and sing with pure emotion. No gimmicks, no makeup, no screeching -- just pure music.

And on the shallow side, he is such a cutie. I have yet to see a bad photo of him.

By Kayy

I cannot wait for the album to come out! I've been a fan of Kris since the very beginning of the past season. He has such a warm and calming voice. And as for Ellen being the new judge, I think she will do great! She is such an inspiration and will fit in perfectly on the show.

Unbelievable. Do some of you just come on here to say you don't like the song and COMPARE him to Adam? Or still B*tch about Adam not winning. GET OVER IT. It's starting to get pathetic on so many levels. I swear to god some of you people have NO LIVES. If you don't like the guy, WHY are you here commenting about an article ON HIS music. Go out and comment on the things you like instead of going out of you're way to hate on a guy who'se done nothing bad to you. I'm really starting to get ticked off by some of you. Just leave the guy alone...

Now regarding this article, I loved it! Kris is such a sweet guy! It made me laugh when he's like, 'What the heck, mom? How did you get that?' lol! I hope nothing but the best for him! He deserved the Idol title and I can't wait for his debute Album! It's going to be amazing! I personally was not too happy with him doing this song as his Single, but after hearing it a few times, I've grown VERY fond of it. It's basically all I play on my iPod now! It's very catchy, and it's a radio friendly song. Definitely will get him a little more known outside of the Idol watchers bubble.

Overall, all the luck to Kris, and I'm happy that he got his dream. It's nice to know humble, hardworking, sweet people like him can get things like this. And I'm definitly going to buy his and Adam albums! Love the both of them so much :)

By Beth

I so love this new single! Who cares if it's a cover? It's very catchy and meaningful. I guess the Script is feeling bad they didn't release it in the U.S. earlier. I'm really looking forward to Kris' album, I heard he wrote some of the songs in it. Go Kris!!!

By MerryMary

I really love the song... it has a great message everyone can really think about and Kris' soulfulness shines through so beautifully. I can't wait to see what other surprises he has in store on his album!

By MM

Very disappointed. Another cover song. He sounds too much like the Scripts and Josh Gracin, a season 2 contestant's first release. I even hear 'The Macarena' in this. No originality. I won't be buying it.

By ckmactwig

Thanks for this interview and confirming what I had suspected. The song was submitted to Kris and his Producers by The Scripts Producer's and Writers. He and his Producers liked it and went on to record it. This all being done while Kris was on the fast paced 52 city Idol tour plus extra appearances, interviews and performances and working on the album.

He was unaware, like 99.9% of the music buying public that it had ever been released anywhere before. Frankly, that is not his job to sit around investigating this sort of thing.

I have no idea why Kris Allen is getting flack over this. If someone wants to put fault anywhere it should be on those who were not up front about the song's history. But seriously, what does it matter? My favourite singers, musicians, and bands have all done work written and recorded by others.

It doesn't seem like The Script has any problems with Kris's version of their song since they're collaborating with him on more. I'm sure their bank accounts are happy too.

Bottom line, I love it and am looking forward to the rest of the album when it's released.

By AnninSD

Ladonna,
Comparing sales on No Boundries is like comparing trash to garbage, they both stink.
Kris' single is fine, but it is a cover and he has to own up to that.

And just to clarify; HiFi released 'want' in August and Adam asked his fans to ignore it. So we did.

Saturday 03 October

By Amy

@ckmactwig, I agree with your post, except for one little thing: "The song was submitted to Kris and his Producers by The Scripts Producer's and Writers."

The same producers (Frampton and Kipner) produced both versions of this song. They are also the primary writers, listed first and second. The two Script members names are listed third and fourth.

Tuesday 06 October

By David

@Ladonna, How is this...I will never buy any of Kris's music because of people like you...Your comments are not helping him ..

By Chris

HaHaHa...Ladonna - I was going to buy Kris's music, but will only buy Adams because of your stupid comments...who is hurting who....

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