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February 22nd, 2010
05:25 PM ET
'Idol's' Kris Allen helps out Haiti
 testing captions “American Idol” season eight winner Kris Allen returns to the “Idol” stage Thursday night for a good cause. Allen traveled to earthquake-ravaged Haiti as part of the philanthropic “Idol Gives Back” program and returns to the show to share footage of his experience, as well as perform. During a media conference call on Monday, Allen said he had some lasting memories of volunteering in the country – especially the resilience of the Haitians.
“I got to sing a song for them and hold a couple of babies,” said Allen, who sang “Amazing Grace” for some of the survivors. “They just seemed so happy. It was a really cool experience.” Returning to the show that made him a star is “nerve-racking,” he said, but he is happy to be involved with such a worthy cause. “Every time I was on that stage last year it was about me, but for this it’s not,” said Allen, who participated in mission trips with his church before he entered the “Idol” competition. “This feels like a really good thing to come back for.” Allen said he had planned to participate in the star-studded Haiti telethon, but at the last minute received an even better offer. “I was walking into the offices at [management company] 19 [Entertainment] and Simon Fuller walked up to me said ‘How would you feel about going to Haiti?’ ” Allen recalled. “I owe all this to him, that I was able to go and actually do something. [The telethon] raised so much money and was really moving as well, but to get to go there and talk to the Haitians and see what the U.N. is doing was really great.” Allen said that he hopes to impart to “Idol” viewers that there is still so much work to be done in the impoverished nation. “This thing is not going away,” Allen said. “They need so much help right now, and when I say 'help,' I mean they need a lot of money right now.” Officials said the funds will go to the United Nations Foundation Fund for Haiti to provide food, shelter, sanitation and help for rebuilding the tiny country. Watch the “Idol” performances on Tuesday and Wednesday night, as well as results night on Thursday, with CNN. Lisa Respers France will be blogging live during the show.
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the video is not showing good,its playing and stop
ill proudly donate in your behalf to haiti good works dont go unnoticed let it be me i liked
Who is Kris Allen though?
My goodness, there are still some people offend Kris. Kris do the good deed from his pure heart. All of Kris's pictures in Haiti are real and natural. I don't see any pretending or act by Kris at all. His trip to Haiti will reaches million people and make them donate money as much as they can effort.
good job Kris! are you trying to be the next Oprah? I don't even watch American Idol anymore since Paula is gone.
good job Kris! are trying to be the next Oprah? I don't even watch American Idol anymore since Paula is gone.
All the idols do charity work. Flyonthewall might be interested to learn Adam raised $300,000 for school programs recently. Kris only went over to Haiti for a few hours. He's not doing more than anyone else in his position. No need to get misty eyed about what a great humanitarian he is.
Way to Go, Kris. Like Dr. Gupta, you walk your talk. You sing great too!
Wishing you peace and love!
Clare
Cynics. Any person that can bring attention to and help for Haiti is needed. And as for being "already forgotten" he's the one from last season's Idol that I'm hearing on the radio.
He did a good thing and is raising awareness. No matter what people say about Idol, it reaches millions of people, as do its messages for Idol Gives Back. It's easy to be cynical, but whether he just sang for them or did work there, I bet people will start giving money again when this airs.
Ditto Julie/Sammy, what a joke? All PR, I am not certain but still probably under AI contract so if Fuller ask you to go you go for PR only.
well the first two posts here are from idiots.
AWESOME KRIS! He is far from forgotten stupid moron...he is just getting started. Exactly what have you done for the Hatians or anybody else. It is easy to sit behind and computer and make stupid comments, how about getting off your ass and doing something.
Why are Americans so negative about a Idol star giving something back thru American Idol? Just seems no one can do things out of the goodness of their heart anymore. I am so sick of the bitchy attitude of
people who never give anything of themselvs to any cause, but so quick to critize. Get over it and lose your stinky attitude! We are really tired of it.
Chris Allen is a very nice, clean cut American and I admire his willingness to help people less fortunate.
much more than what that greaseball adam lambert has done for anyone besides himself.
Anyone who makes use of their celebrity status to help others, whatever their reason, is, in my eyes commendable.
Keep up the good work.
I think Kris Allen did something examplary. Kris has compassion and love in his heart for the Haitian people. To say that it is PR work is unconscionable. Haiti needs all the celebrities that can visit in order to keep the news in the headlines. Kris Allen is absolutely right, Haiti needs money to rebuilt. Thank you Kris for your compassion and concerns for the Haitian people.
If by "PR work for 'American Idol'" you mean recording footage so that Idol viewers can see that things aren't "back to normal" in Haiti, then you're right. Idol isn't hurting for attention. This isn't a desperate ploy to get it back in the headlines. Between incoming and outgoing judges, as well as the competition itself, it's in the public eye. Why not use that following to help people in need? When did that become a bad thing?
Kris Allen made it clear last year that he doesn't want to be a star. He just enjoys singing...and actually he's pretty good.
I think Kris Allen did something examplary. Kris has compassion and love in his heart for the Haitian people. To say that it s PR work in unconscionable. Haiti needs all the celebrities that can visit in order to keep the news in the headlines. Kris Allen is absolutely right, Haiti needs money to rebuilt. Thank you Kris for your compassion and concerns for the Haitian people.
Idol Gives Back is a non-profit fund-raiser, so by definition he is doing work that benefits the Haitians. Anything that keeps Haiti in the public eye benefits them. Don't be so judgmental of Kris.
Good for you Kris!
To the Julie & Sammy of the world – I pray that may the good lord take you in peace – the world will be in a better place without you.
Everyone that knows Kris knows it's from the heart not from "what's in it for me"...it's clear the previous comments have hatred toward Kris and they don't even know anything about him. Plenty of other more liberal-minded Hollywood types doing what they can (I could care less about whether it's genuine or not if it brings more awareness and needed funds) and you single Kris out – drop the attitude...
Wow, bitter people. I'm pretty sure that they will show footage of Kris Allen in Haiti which will help raise money for Haiti during the "Idol Gives Back" program. And remember, he was asked to go by Simon Fuller. You people are so negative!
Wow, what a bunch of cynics. Kris did ministry work before Idol and "Idol gives back" has given tens of millions to charity. What have you done to help haiti?
Wow ! Bam ! Pop ! A real star, pushing back his hectic schedule, to reach out and grab the spotlight. You're already forgotten; get lost.
Looks as if he only went for PR work for "American Idol". Did he actually do any work that benefited the Haitians.