Heartland Idol Winner Does It Again

SEBRING - An encore.

Eighteen-year-old -- and former Junior Heartland Idol champion Christopher Allen -- was tapped as the new Heartland Idol Saturday night at the the downtown Circle.

Allen is the only contestant to win both crowns, and emcee Don Elwell joked that 30 years from now, Allen might be eligible for a yet-to-be-established "Senior Heartland Idol."

Allen said recently that he almost didn't enter the singing contest.

The winning singer picked up a check for $1,000 and is eligible to earn another $1,000 if he performs at five upcoming events, as determined by co-sponsor, the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce.

Allen wore a single glove and danced to Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World," following his version of the Ray Charles classic "Georgia On My Mind."

Eight finalists battled for five cash prizes in front of 1,000 music lovers, the biggest audience of this year's eight show run, Elwell.

It was a three-month competition which featured several themes, including the music and dress of Madonna and Elton John, '80s music and Elvis Presley hits.

Elwell actively urged the crowd to boo the judges when they heard criticism directed at the performers -- but in the end -- as always, it was the not judges but the singers who the audience came to see and cheer.

Second-place winner Tina Smothers, a pastor at Living Waters Church, stole the crowd's hearts and picked up a check for $1,000, following sterling performances of "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers and "Broken Wing," originally made popular by Martina McBride.

Smothers is mulling over possibly auditioning for television's American Idol, the local contest's inspiration.

Top five finalist Shawn Knowles ripped of his clothes and transformed himself from a mild-mannered reporter into Superman. Huge bulges, to his chest and elsewhere, plus the distinctive red "S," drove the fans and co-emcee David Flowers wild.

Top five finalist Amy Roposa sang "Angels in Waiting" by Tammy Cochran and dressed in a red wig for "Fancy" by Reba McEntire.

Jessica Herrera won $500 and third place honors for renditions of a Jaci Valasaquez song and disco queen Gloria Gaynor's anthem "I Will Survive."

Allen is currently in the studio recording for a CD, "18" and anticipates a January release date. He said the album will consist of originally written Jazz, R & B and Hip-Hop music.

Michael Jackson music and dance has been a large portion of Allen's performances since sixth grade He said the distinctive dance moves come naturally without much practice.