Kris Allen

Kristopher Neil Allen (born June 21, 1985), known as Kris Allen, is an American singer, guitarist, pianist, and violist from Conway, Arkansas, who is a finalist on the eighth season of the reality television series American Idol. He taught himself how to play the guitar at thirteen and is also proficient with the piano, the viola, and the ukulele. In 2007, he self-produced an album entitled, Brand New Shoes.

Allen is a worship leader for New Life Church in Arkansas at both the Conway and Greater Little Rock campuses, and on campus at University of Central Arkansas with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. As a worship leader, he was able to travel on mission trips around the world, including Burma, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain, and Thailand.On September 26, 2008, he married his high school sweetheart, Katy O'Connell.

Allen auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in Louisville, Kentucky. He performed "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 during Hollywood week with a group called White Chocolate, along with fellow finalist Matt Giraud.