It's Adam Vs. Kris: Stage Set For Idol Showdown!
May 14 2009, Published 11:12 a.m. ET
America voted -- and it's Adam Lambert vs Kris Allen.
The two singers will square off next week on American Idol in the show's big finale.
In a surprising twist, fan favorite Danny Gokey, a 29-year-old church music director from Milwaukee, WI., was booted off Wednesday night during the results show. Gokey was an early darling of the judges and media for his energetic presence, blue collar work ethic and a back story that sounded like the script to a TV movie: his wife died during surgery to fix a congenital heart defect a month before he auditioned.
On the show, Gokey's aforementioned traits made him a leading vote getter each week, pumping up the crowd with enthusiastic performances that set him apart from his peers. Many, including judge Simon Cowell, figured he would be facing off against Lambert in the finals.
"None of us would have predicted this, guys," Cowell told Gokey. "No disrespect, because you were brilliant last night, and just now by the way. Danny, congratulations."
Next week's key episode, pitting Lambert and Allen head-to-head, begins at 8/7c on Tuesday on Fox.
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