![OK Logo](https://okmagazine.com/ok_logo_black_small.png)
Winning Idol Could Hurt Adam Lambert
![2009__04__25990.jpg](https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/480x251/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 480w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/640x335/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 640w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/768x402/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 768w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/1024x536/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 1024w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/1280x670/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 1280w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/1440x753/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 1440w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/1600x837/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 1600w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/I-VcxQkrL/2160x1130/2009/04/2009__04__25990.jpg?position=top 2160w)
Apr. 15 2009, Published 11:00 a.m. ET
Adam Lambert may be a hit with fans, but winning American Idol may not be the 26-year-old's best career move.
"Idol thrives when a girl wins," says a source, adding that female champs like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are more marketable.
Still, a former contestant tells OK!, "Adam is supposed to win; he's the judges' favorite." Enter the veto, which allows the judges to overrule viewer votes and keep a performer in the competition.
- 15 of the Most Successful People Who Were on 'American Idol': Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and More
- 10 of the Most Memorable 'American Idol' Moments and Auditions: Kelly Clarkson's Win to Kyra Wait's Performance
- Adam Lambert Reveals He Initially Didn't Think He Would Make It On 'American Idol' As A Queer Artist
"It's to avoid what happened to Chris Daughtry -- he was eliminated and went on the be one of the biggest-selling acts in Idol history, at least for the guys," a show insider tells OK!.
"America voted him off and was left with Taylor Hicks."