Jacksonville, Arkansas native Kris Allen wins ‘American Idol’ Season 8

Born in Jacksonville, Arkansas, United States, Kris Allen turned 23 on June 21, 2008. Almost a year later, he won the eighth season of “American Idol“.

Runner-up to Allen was Adam Lambert. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, the latter turned 27 on January 29, 2009.

In third place was Danny Gokey, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. He turned 29 on April 24, 2009.

Allison Iraheta finished fourth. She was born in Glendale, California, USA and she turned 17 on April 27, 2009.

Matt Giraud was the fifth placer. He was born in Dearborn, Michigan, USA and he turned 24 on May 11, 2009.

Kris Allen

Allen has a younger brother named Daniel Allen. Their father is Neil Allen and their mother is Kimberly Wood Allen.

Kris attended Mills University Studies High School in Sweet Home, Arkansas, USA. He plays the guitar, the piano and the viola.

After high school, Kris entered the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. In the middle of his junior year, he dropped out of college to pursue a career in music.

“American Idol” Season 8

• singing competition: “American Idol“
• season: 8
• television network: Fox
• dates: January 13, 2009 – May 20, 2009
• judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi
• host: Ryan Seacrest

PLACEMENT	SINGER
Winner	Kris Allen
1st runner-up	Adam Lambert
3rd	Danny Gokey
4th	Allison Iraheta
5th	Matt Giraud
Top 7	Anoop Desai Lil Rounds
8th	Scott MacIntryre
9th	Megan Joy
10th	Michael Sarver
11th	Alexis Grace
Top 13	Jorge Núñez Jasmine Murray
Top 17	Jesse Langseth Ricky Braddy Tatiana Del Toro Von Smith
Top 36	Alex Wagner-Trugman Ann Marie Boskovich Arianna Afsar Brent Keith Casey Carlson Felicia Barton Jackie Tohn Jeanine Vailes Ju’Not Joyner Kai Kalama Kendall Beard Kristen McNamara Matt Breitzke Mishavonna Henson Nathaniel Marshall Nick Mitchell Stephen Fowler Stevie Wright Taylor Vaifanua