Last week, readers of The Hollywood Gossip got to know Drake LaBry.

But Kris Allen, along with most of the American Idol finalists, already met Adam Lambert’s boyfriend during season eight of the show. And the series champion couldn’t be more excited that his friend is now open with this relationship.

“I think he’s happier that he can be himself and it’s nice,” Allen said to People, when asked about Lambert stepping out with his LaBry last week. “Adam is who he is and he’s not afraid. I support him in whatever he does.”

Allen added that LaBry is “a really nice guy and that he and Lambert “click well and they’re really nice together.”

Meanwhile, Lambert has confirmed that the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone will reveal answers to everyone’s questions about his sex life.

“At this point, I think everybody knows everything, but once the Rolling Stone article comes out, people will know everything,” he said at last night’s Young Hollywood Awards.

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American Idol’s Kris Allen and Adam Lambert stopped in on the Today Show yesterday in New York City to answer a few questions, and more importantly, perform a few songs.

Allen went with his instantly classic “Heartless,” along with “No Boundaries,” while Lambert sang “Mad World.”

Both contestants laughingly denied the rumors that there was an AT&T texting scandal, and made it clear that they have remained good friends throughout the competition.

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Amidst growing controversy that AT&T helped to rig this season’s American Idol results, the show wants to make it clear:

Kris Allen is the champion.

Earlier today Fox, Idol producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia issued the following statement:

“Fox and the producers of American Idol are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate and verified. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol. We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition.”

AT&T also defended itself:

“Last week, countless parties were held in homes, bars, and other public places across America to watch the American Idol finale. In Arkansas, a few local AT&T employees were invited to attend two local watch parties organized by the community. Caught up in the enthusiasm of rooting for their hometown contestant, they brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.

“Going forward, we will make sure our employees understand our sponsorship celebrates the competition, not individual contestants. That said, it’s quite a leap to suggest that a few individuals could have impacted the final results.”

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Kris Allen is your new American Idol.

Left speechless when Ryan Seacrest initially asked him how it felt, Allen continued to express utter consternation backstage.

“I felt shocked almost every week that I made it, and to be the American Idol, I’m completely shocked.”

The champion also had nothing but kind words for fellow finalist Adam Lambert: “I feel like he deserves this just as much as I do. He’s an amazing performer, gifted guy and really just an amazing guy. It was fun doing this with him.”

Where will Kris go from here, in terms of making an album?

“I think it’s pretty obvious that I’ve done a lot of the singer-songwriter, pop-rock kind of thing and that’s something I want to do.”

Lambert, meanwhile, isn’t about to shed any tears over his second place finish.

“I felt so good. I got to sing with Queen and KISS!” he told OK!, reflecting on the two-hour finale. “First or second, it doesn’t matter to me; I got to sing with two great, heroic rock bands.”

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From handsome also-ran to American Idol champion.

Kris Allen completed an incredible journey this week by being named the eighth-ever winner of the most popular show on television.

Overlooked when the competition began – at the outset, Simon Cowell even suggested that Allen should keep his marriage a secret because he would only advance based on his looks – Allen shed his underdog label and overcame Adam Lambert in a tightly-contested finale.

What was Allen’s reaction upon winning? He said: “Adam deserves this. I’m sorry.” Class act (and we agree!).

Will Kris follow in the successful footsteps of past victors such as Carrie Underwood? Or the anonymous footsteps of champs such as Reuben Studdard?

Only time will tell. For now, let’s just wish a hearty congratulations to one of the most unexpected winners in show history!

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