Photo: AmericanIdol.com
Katy Allen, the wife of "American Idol" season 8
winner Kris Allen, arrives on the red carpet at the
show's season 8 finale results show on May 20.
Who would’ve thought that Simon Cowell had it wrong when he proclaimed it too early for "American Idol" season 8 winner Kris Allen to roll out the wife? Half of America’s fascination seems to lie with Kris’ low-key persona; a quarter goes to his fabled (and widely fanfic-ed) relationship with runner-up Adam Lambert – which leaves a quarter of his inexplicable pull to the seemingly sweet relationship he has with his adorable wife, Katy.
The state of Arkansas is banking big on Kris Allen’s win – and this month, Arkansas Life magazine is giving 23-year-old Katy a little bit of the limelight.
Kris and Katy O’Connell officially met in elementary school (“on the playground,” her mother Peggy tells the magazine), but it wasn’t until her fifteenth birthday party that he really caught her eye. Kris’ younger brother, Daniel, ran in the same circles as Katy and was there to witness the exact moment, he says, “she fell in love with my brother.”
It was on a family trip to the lake, one which Katy and other friends had been invited – but Katy turned out to be the only one who could make it. With Katy in the backseat between Daniel and Kris, she joined Kris in singing along to the "Coyote Ugly" soundtrack.
Katy, who currently works for Acxiom in Little Rock, has given especial thought to an acting career now that her husband has thrust the pair into America’s radar. “I remember being a little girl and watching Shirley Temple and being obsessed with her – she could sing, and tap dance and act. I wanted to be like her, except I couldn’t sing. So, I did the dancing and acting.” Her mother says Katy even “begged [her parents] to let her go to a university in New York to study acting.”
Peggy admitted, with not a little embarrassment, that she did not realize her son-in-law’s full potential until he made it onto national television: “I feel a little guilty. Katy tried to tell us all these years how talented he was – we were like, ‘Oh, that’s nice dear.’ I’m afraid we had to watch just like the rest of the country.”
Which leads one to wonder how things went over in the O’Connell household when Kris decided to take a hiatus from college to pursue his singing career!
The Allens even have a little story for the true romantics – they once considered building a home, though they recently sub-leased their furnished loft apartment in Cabot, Arkansas and seem to have plans to return at some point. Does Kris Allen have a little bit of Noah Calhoun in him?
As for the other apple of Kris' eye, perhaps the mystical Kradam love story has some roots in reality after all – even Katy is a fan of her husband’s “competition”. If Kris hadn't made it, she says, "Adam would have been my pick. I really admired his talent, although I think they were all talented and deserve success in life.”
Related articles:
Season 8 Idols: Kris Allen is an incredible human being
Adam Lambert fans give Kris Allen the gift of love
Adam Lambert to do Kris Allen’s wife’s nails on tour
Kris Allen: I didn’t serenade the ladies in college
Kris Allen’s wife: tell Adam Lambert I have a crush on him
Comments
Even Kris' wife thought Adam should have won, just like most other people in the world.
Wu, is this your fluff piece on Kris for the day? What a snooze.
aww shucks, now isnt that just the darndest thing? She wants a little press and she has to use Adam Lambert's name to get it? Why isn't she complimenting her own husband? Frankly, the more I learn about Kris Allen and his wife, the less impressed I become. Real babes in the woods!
It's really sad that Adam's fans are so bitter they can't even let a nice article about Kris' wife go without nasty comments. You guys are a disgrace to Adam. He seems like a nice guy. Too bad his fans can't say the same about themselves. BTW, KRIS WON!!!
Thanks for this wonderful article about Katy (and Kris). I would love to hear more. But maybe you should leave Adam's name out of it so that your next piece doesn't show up in the google searches that are done by some of his more horrible fans. Again, I'd love to hear more about both of the Allens.
Elaine, you are a jerk. You seem to think it's OK to lump all of Adam's fans together and describe them as horrible. You are the one who is horrible, and I resent your comment. People are people. There are some nasty Adam fans just as there are nasty Kris fans (like you). It's just the way things are. People like you who generalize are the ones who cause problems.
Snark, snark, snark! Shame on ALL of you! Even Maxine doesn't get it - READ MY LIPS: There was NO "competition" between Adam and Kris - not even when you put it in "quotes." They are so different that they both just admired each other's considerable talent. They both feel they BOTH WON - Kris just got stuck with the title. Their careers will go in different direction.. as they should! SO EVERYBODY JUST STOP ALREADY! You're ALL really ridiculous!
Jan you are such a little tripe, you bad mouth Adam fans for being bitter then are not even gracious that Kris won you rub it in their face, then when they get defensive you chastize them, you obviously would do the same if the table were turned. You just prove so well what nasty juvenile Kris fans are all about and Kris would be so ashamed of you! You are a little nasty hypocrite. Grow up!! Rock on Kradam.
I think Kris and Adam are both so talented. Katy sounds adorable, and I loved hearing some stories about Kris and Katy's background.
I suggest next time don't insert ADAM's name when your topic is KRIS and his wife Katy. Because when I Google ADAM's name I want it's all about ADAM. Now when I want to read about KRIS, I will type his name. So, it's fair that no one rides on the coat tails of another.
I read the article and all I really want to talk about is KRADAM! lol
Wrap me up in fan fic, baby, because there ain't NO WAY these boys aren't having fun. Once Adam showed Kris how to shop in the girls department -- he hasn't taken' off those girl jeans -- and it's been hard to hide his "excitement" atleast a few times after rising up from the lift at the end of the show.
Kradam is HOT! Katy has already proven to be quite a good actress! :D Adam & Kris have found success with their career choice. I hope Katy finds success with hers. And then I hope she finds someone that she can be head over heals with and gush about at every turn -- like Kris has with Adam. :D
Aw, that's so sweet. I love how much Kris and his family love Adam and vice versa.
And people who are still bitter about Kris winning or all the attention Adam is getting--what the hell is wrong with you? Aren't most of you adults? Why are you acting like immature middle-schoolers? I'm only 20 and my friends and I would never behave so idiotically. Plus, in case you haven't noticed, both Adam and Kris appear really happy about how things have worked out. It was probably better for both of their careers that Kris won.
For the record, I'm a huge Adam fan who also loves Kris and Allison. Those guys just have something special, in very different ways. And even if you don't like Kris or Adam musically, which is fine, you should still be able to admit that both are very nice guys and undeserving of your nastiness.
Well, the first few posters below me have the right idea at any rate. :)
" Half of America’s fascination seems to lie with Kris’ low-key persona; a quarter goes to his fabled (and widely fanfic-ed) relationship with runner-up Adam Lambert – which leaves a quarter of his inexplicable pull to the seemingly sweet relationship he has with his adorable wife, Katy. "
The above is the only part of this lovely piece that I'd disagree with. Half, a quarter and a quarter equals a whole. So the whole of America is fascinated with Kris Allen? Why aren't these fascinated people turning up to see him at the live shows instead of the people who are walking out during his set? Why aren't these fascinated people showing their presence on the net? Why aren't these fascinated people clamoring to see, hear and know more about him? It's very sad.
I agree with angelli and mm I'm trying to find info about Adam grrrr when it's not about him leave out his name -Your right too melody
You wrote: If Kris had not been her husband, she says, “Adam would have been my pick. I really admired his talent, although I think they were all talented and deserve success in life.”
That's not what the magazine said. It said that if Kris hadn't made it, she would have rooted for Adam. The way you wrote it makes it sound like she only voted for Kris because he's her husband.
I need to stop reading articles and comments on this site. Everytime I do I can feel my IQ drop a point for every second of my stay.
DO NOT QUOTE WRONG: SHE DOESN'T SAY IF KRIS WASN'T HER HUSBAND, SHE SAID IF KRIS HADN'T MADE IT THEN SHE WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED ADAM.
The Allens are giving people. And Adam fans, your bitterness is showing.
I really love and respect Kris and his family. They are such class acts.
Now I wonder how long this Marrige is going to last she better get pregnant right away or it's goodbay wifey, that what nice about Adam he will not leave us hehehehe
Haley,
What bitterness? This has gone to the real world now? Who is everybody saying is the true star. Kris title as AI will be his forever...but with whats happening now, Adam being better anticipated, awards, media etc, wouldn't you think that the bitterness is on your side? Preapare yourself as hit records and stardom will eclipse his placing second and the question if Kris deserved it more than Adam the Title you hang on to will clearly be answered.
Why would anyone care about what what's his names wife thinks. Snooze!
Katy is one cute lady. I am fascinated with Kris because I wonder how an ordinary mediocre singer can have it all - beautiful wife, AI crown, million dollar contract, loving family, supportive entire state of Arkansas, etc. Isn't that amazing? You don't have to work hard, you don't have to be ultra-talented, you don't have to do cartwheels (make-up, stage-acts, etc.) to be noticed by America. Just be normal, regular, sit and play the piano then sing, play the guitar and sing in your plaid shirt and you get everything. Kris is amazing and fascinating. He is the most fascinating AI winner ever. What was his secret that he can get it all - beautiful wife, AI crown, million dollar contract, etc.? I am sold on Kris. He must be amazing.
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