Taking a break from adoring fans, in an intimate theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, American Idol champion Kris Allen paused for a special media-only Q&A as part of his “I’m Going to Disney World” celebration.
I was positioned in the front row, just ten feet from Kris as he sat in a director’s chair relaxing before the Question and Answer session. It was a surreal moment for me. I’m not the type who easily gets star-struck, but when Kris and I made eye contact – when he smiled and waved directly at me – my heart skipped a beat. His genuine and down-to-earth demeanor shine through like the light of Jesus Christ on a cloudy day! Speaking of religion…
I was eager to ask Kris a question that would verify the authenticity of a story about him that found its way into my email box. Here’s what the email said (author unknown):
“I was told something about Kris Allen that really endeared me to him. He has gone on several mission trips around the world. One was a trip to Southeast Asia. His parents had just given him a $700 Takamine guitar and although they were nervous about it, they allowed him to take it with him on the trip. When he got to Viet Nam, he was attending a worship service where the young lady who was leading it had a broken guitar missing several tuning pegs and strings. Kris Allen took his brand new guitar and gave it to the young lady. He was afraid of what his parents would say, but they were extremely proud of his generosity. Me, too.”
When the opportunity to ask my question surfaced, I brought up the subject. “Kris, I have an email from a music teacher in Hot Springs, Ark. It says you gave away an expensive guitar. Is that true… can you tell us about that?”
“Well… I wouldn’t call it an expensive guitar,” Kris confirmed. “I traveled to Burma to work with some Burmese refugees. I felt I was supposed to give my guitar away to someone that really deserved it.”
Bingo! While I wasn’t able to validate every word of this telling email, Kris’ brief explanation during our Q&A verifies his generous nature – he did give away his guitar to a needy person in a foreign land! This is not something a modest guy like Kris would broadcast about himself, so I’m glad to reveal this example of his compassion in action – indeed an “endearing” quality and one that gives a deeper glimpse into the heart of this musical star.
Kris’ American Idol journey began when he and his brother drove more than eight hours from Arkansas to Louisville, Ky., where he auditioned after a 14-hour wait. Kris’ motivation for trying out: “I wanted to be on the show to make CDs and make music, and hopefully that will happen.”
My respect for Kris Allen as a human being and as a singer/songwriter is off the charts. Congratulations Kris…we can’t wait for you to make some music. By the way, I’m a songwriter, too. Can we collaborate? Hey… it doesn’t hurt to dream big, right!
To read Part 1 of my coverage of Kris Allen’s celebration at Disney, click here.
For Part 2, describing Kris Allen’s on stage visit to The American Idol Experience, click here.
Get additional insights and see more Kris Allen photos from this special Disney event at the Orlando Theme Park Examiner’s site.
A recap of the American Idol Results Finale can be found here.
If you would like to read my official Review of the American Idol Experience – coming soon – be sure to click SUBSCRIBE at the top of page!
Thanks for reading,
Michele Hudson
Orlando Events Examiner
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