Predictions for 'Too Close to Call' Idol Finale

Signs record deal, too

(NEWSER) - American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert finally came out to Rolling Stone, Us reports. “I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I'm gay,” says Lambert in the June issue, out tomorrow. “I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me.” Lambert says he didn’t confirm sexuality rumors during the show because he didn’t want it to overshadow his singing. More»

(NEWSER) - And the winner is ... Kris Allen. The 23-year-old native of Conway, Ark., is the new American Idol. Allen, a married college student, defeated judges' darling Adam Lambert, reports AP. Host Ryan Seacrest said a record 100 million votes were cast after last night's singing showdown between the two. Allen receives a record contract among his goodies. More»

(NEWSER) - Adam Lambert finds it “funny” that people are talking about him “coming out” in the new Rolling Stone. “I’ve never been in,” he tells Access Hollywood. Lambert says he didn’t discuss his sexuality during American Idol because he wanted people to focus on his talent. “I chose to kind of ignore the issue until after the voting ended,” says the second-place finisher, but he thought it wasn’t much of a secret: “I sang Cher during Hollywood week.” More»

Runner-up's fans cry foul on discovering Allen voters got phone company freebies

(NEWSER) - Furious fans of American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert are accusing AT&T of stuffing the virtual ballot box with votes for Kris Allen, the New York Times reports. Company reps allegedly attended Arkansas parties for native son Allen, providing phones that were for free text-messaging services and instructions on how to cast 10 votes at the touch of a button—a tactic Idol rules forbid. More»

Gokey given his walking papers after some desperate dancing

(NEWSER) - Adam Lambert and Kris Allen are the last American Idol contestants left standing after Danny Gokey got the boot yesterday, E! Online reports. Gokey, long considered a frontrunner to take the crown, got the fewest viewer votes for his performance Tuesday of Terence Trent D'Arby's "Dance Little Sister"—accompanied by dancing Simon Cowell labeled "desperate." The champ will be crowned next Wednesday. More»