Kris Allen Singapore | #1 Source for all things Kris!

American Idol winner Kris Allen wowed the crowd of about 800 people with his guitar and folksy style here.

The reality show’s eighth season victor’s showcase included his hit song Live Like We’re Dying.

Allen said he considered being able to perform in Malaysia a “blessing”.

A year and a half ago, I was in my small apartment, not really doing anything. Who would have thought that I’d end up here?” said the soft-spoken singer, whose self-titled post-Idol album has sold about 245,000 copies to date.

He added that he preferred not not to seek publicity but focus on his music.

“(Being low-key) is the way I am. I’d rather hang out with my wife or go out to dinner (than attend red-carpet events),” he told a press preview here yesterday.

This is the first time a winner of the hit reality show has performed in Malaysia. Season seven runner-up David Archuleta held a concert here last year.

Fans who had received special invitations by participating in contests organised by Astro and Hitz.fm joined the showcase crowd at a hotel.

Arkansas-born Allen, 24, greeted his audience at a meet-and-greet session after the show, where he posed for pictures and signed autographs.

He also appeared at the Mid Valley Megamall before his showcase, where die-hard fans had been gathering since morning to be one of the 200 to receive his autograph.

Having flown to Kuala Lumpur after doing two shows in the Philippines, Allen’s next stop will be Singapore.