Fox: “Kris Allen Is, Without a Doubt, the American Idol” ShareThisFox: “Kris Allen Is, Without a Doubt, the American Idol”
Fox is defending itself against claims that corporate sponsor AT&T unfairly swayed the show’s outcome by providing Kris Allen fans with free “power texts.”
According to The New York Times, AT&T provided phones for free text-messaging services at two Allen parties in Arkansas on the night of the finals. Citing sources, The Times reports that AT&T reps showed party-goers how to “power text” — cast 10 votes at the touch of a button — which violates show rules.
No similar efforts appear to have been made to provide free texting services to Adam Lambert fans, who have complained that the competition’s voting was rigged.
On Wednesday, Fox, Idol producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia denied the claims in a statement:
“Fox and the producers of American Idol are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate and verified. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol. We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition.”
AT&T also defended itself in a separate statement:
“Last week, countless parties were held in homes, bars, and other public places across America to watch the American Idol finale. In Arkansas, a few local AT&T employees were invited to attend two local watch parties organized by the community. Caught up in the enthusiasm of rooting for their hometown contestant, they brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.
“Going forward,” the AT&T statement concluded, “we will make sure our employees understand our sponsorship celebrates the competition, not individual contestants. That said, it’s quite a leap to suggest that a few individuals could have impacted the final results.”
Allen and Lambert’s rep has no comment.
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May 27th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
What, do they actually think we are stupid? They are admitting they cheated. but it is ok because they only cheated a little. And Ryan Seacrest said on the 20th while announcing the winner, that there were only 1.1 mmillion votes difference out of almost 100 million votes- that is hardly a wide margin. The votes may be counted by an outside third party after they come in, but this is a clear example that they cheated in how the votes were cast in the first place. Who was watching that? They are destroying themsleves if they don’t come 100% clean. And they have done terrible damage to Kris Allen.
May 28th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Just listened to an interview on the net … the AT&T / AI spokespersons are sounding like the cheating husband … when faced with a question of adultery … the only defense is to “…deny deny deny …”. Adam was cheated the results should be nullified and a draw declared. Lots of hype in any event!!! AI must do the fair thing and award both although I suspect Adam will do better without the win being the one the most abused…?
May 28th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Xian Kris vs. Glam Adam?
It’s totally political. Can’t have a big (though undeclared) fag beat xian prettyboy. Since Kris can’t win on talent alone, gotta CHEAT!!
It’s the conservative, right-wing, phony religionista way. ESPECIALLY where Fox is concerned. Lie, cheat, steal… whatever it takes to force their agenda on everyone else.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:02 am
you mean its rigged? NO WAY!
May 28th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Ryan never said how much Kris won way, ET actually said Kris won by a large margin.
and Yes its rigged. The guy AI did not want to win won, it definitely is rigger. Makes so much sense.
Get over it and stop with the excuses.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:59 am
geez, you’d think it was a 2000 or 2004 presidential election or something.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Seems to me like Kris must a won by many MILLIONS and that’s why it doesn’t effect the results. Maybe you all should a had vote partys rather than filmming yourself for youtube. That would have done both of us a favor. Oh Larry, better get your hearing checked cause Ryan never said that. Go watch it again. The million diffrence he was talking about was the week before. Geez get your facts before you post it everywhere. Adam LOST and Kris WON. Move on already, they are both fine with it why can’t you all be?
May 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Kris deserved to win…whether it was rigged or not. Adam Lambert was way too overrated…!! Way to go Kris..!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Just look at Kris Allen, he’ll fade away in no time, he is ordinary at best. Who cares who wins anyway? The entire show has become a huge snooze fest.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Sorry, that’s incorrect…Ryan Seacrest didn’t say there was a difference of 1.1 million votes when he announced the Season 8 winner. In fact, when Ryan hosted Larry King Live on Friday evening and interviewed Kris, Adam, and the rest of the top 10, he said he still didn’t know what the margin was, and hadn’t thought to ask about it. And Kris Allen isn’t damaged in any way – he won the Idol title and has more sales on iTunes than Adam Lambert does. Besides, they were both given identical cars, and Adam will no doubt obtain a record contract, as several members of the Top 10 usually do. Moving on is best for everyone. American Idol producers, Fox, and AT&T have already, so no sense in getting angry over what can’t (won’t) be changed…
May 29th, 2009 at 7:53 am
idol and at and t should both be investigated for this… i don’t care about this show, but something is fishy here, and it won’t go away just by the issuance of some feeble denials from the guilty parties. idol has been rigged from day one, and it causes me to doubt if any of the votes or vote totals are on the level… another reason to shun this show.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I am a devoted Adam fan and I hope the best for Adam and Kris….Idol is over, but as far as I am concerned this year there was 2 winners….Adam held the show all of the AI season, but Conway wanted Kris in there….Title means nothing…You are both good….
August 17th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Of course they cheated..now that AI is over, Kris official website has 6,500 posts; Adam official website has 495,000 posts. 90% of the people at all the AI concerts are there for ADAM! I went to the concert in Atlanta, and trust me 90% of the people are there for ADAM! People started leaving after Adam\’s set to get a good place in line for autographs. From reading posts and reviews from across the country, everyone is there for Adam. So where are all the people who voted for Kris??? Not at the concerts, not online…where are they??? Oh yeah, he cheated.