America's 'glam' gay icon Adam Lambert, a shoo-in for the American Idol title, lost to the underdog Kris Allen in the show's finale Wednesday.
Idol pundits have speculated that Lambert's often David Bowie crossed with Freddie Mercury style may have alienated voters in conservative states, including in the south. Allen hails from Arkansas.
Meanwhile Lambert's online persona since Idol began has included pics of him kissing other men.
While Lambert's popularity often appeared unchallenged this season, with Idol contestant Danny Gokey gone, it appears his votes may have gone to Allen.
For the final showdown Tuesday Lambert sang his season showstopper, Tears for Fears' "Mad World," plus he belted Sam Cooke's "Change Gonna Come" and a new song that Idol judge Kara DioGuardi helped to pen.
While neither contestant appeared to score a hands-down win following Tuesday's performance, voters chose Allen and his renditions of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine, Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," and his spin on DioGuardi's tune.
In the end, the country went for the clean and scrubbed Allen opposed to wild man Lambert!