Season 8 'American Idol' Winner Kris Allen Outsells Adam Lambert with Single

American Idol winner Kris Allen, who beat out runner up Adam Lambert in season 8, seems to have more singles selling power than his more controversial counterpart.  While Lambert's debut album, For Your Entertainment, had a bigger opening week than Allen's Kris Allen, Allen's single Live Like We're Dying has outsold Lambert's For Your Entertainment by more than double to date. Live Like We're Dying has sold approximately 500,000 downloads, charting at #27 spot on the Soundscan singles charts. Lambert's For Your Entertainment has sold a little more than 200,000 downloads. Lambert, on the other hand, has sold more albums.

Prior to Idol, Allen self-released a 2007 album entitled Brand New Shoes. Allen's Idol coronation song, No Boundaries, and his version of Heartless both charted within the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Allen's post-Idol self-titled album was released on November 17, 2009, through Jive Records. The album debuted at #11 on the U.S. Billboard 200 shifting over 90,000 copies. The album's lead single, "Live Like We're Dying", was released on September 21, 2009.

Adam Lambert made headlines during his stay on the American Idol competition last year, and released his freshman album, For Your Entertainment, on November 23, 2009 via RCA Records/19 Recordings. The album debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 on the week of December 12, 2009, selling 198,000 copies in the United States. Adam is also is no stranger to the theatrical stage having gotten his early start behind the footlights. Adam Lambert appeared in WICKED twice, once with the touring company in March 2005 for a six month contract, and then opening in the sitdown Los Angeles production in February 2007 and remaining with the show until October 2008. For both engagements in Wicked,he was a member of The Ensemble and understudied the role of Fieryo, the show's love interest.

During the controversial American Music Awards performance, Lambert kissed his male keyboard player on one occasion, and rubbed another male dancer's face in his crotch on another, drawing thousands of complaints to ABC, which broadcast the awards event.  Subsequent performances on Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel Live were cancelled as a result, but Lambert has since been a regular on the talk show circuit.