he still looks so different to me, but has the same nice features.

He looks dejected. The optimism is gone...his eyes don't have their sparkle...his smile is forced...what have they done to him???????????

He looks adorable in both pics, but i'm partial to the shorter hair on the new david. You can see more of his face

Hmmm...you're right, I didn't notice that. BUT it could have been the end of a long day, posing for pictures...and when Idol started he was probably excited to pose for publicity shots - then it got to be more of a chore. That's what I'm thinking. Or maybe he had to go to the bathroom, or he was hungry, or he didn't get the song he wanted...etc.

I really doubt it's that he isn't as happy as before.

Yeah....I didn't notice that either until u pointed it out. Maybe he was tired?

He has had this look since about a week after Idol. Look at all of his pics since then... there's a distinct difference from while Idol was in progress. It's scary... it shows in his live interviews too, so it isn't just photos... makes me worry... wonder what his mom thinks about it....

I think he looks the same. - but i do see what you mean
the only difference is his hair, and it looks like he had a slight tan at the time of that photoshoot.

but looks amazing either way

Thanks for posting !!!

aww, "dejected" =( i hope hes okayy

but thats really cool thanks for posting. hes majorly adorable!

My first impression is that David looks older in the photo to the right, even though the pictures are probably only months apart. He looks so much more relaxed, open, inviting, and kissable in the photo on the left.

He did just say in the People interview that he is happy doing what he is doing now. I can't even imagine the onslaught of photo shoots he has gone through in the past month and I think that is the reason for the more formal
expression.

He is certainly beautiful in both pictures! No complaints here!

i cant believe how different he looks. he looks about 20 in the old picture and around 25 in the new one.

Wow you guys sure read a lot into a picture. He looks slightly sleepy to me. Not dejected. And certainly nothing to keep a mother up over. And I am a mother.

Actually he looks like he has grown up too fast. Like the innocence is gone much too soon. As much as he is definitely a gorgeous kid in both photos, my fear, as someone who is old enough to be his mother, is that all this is a lot for a 25 year old to handle. At 25 a person really doesn't realize any limitations and he may just be really really tired. I sure hope that's all that it is.

Yeah...dude looks tired and like he's lost a couple of pounds...I like the one on the left...he has more of that "sparkle" about him...although he still looks amazing in both pictures!

Ok frankly I think you are pondering this one a bit much.

He looks really good in both photos

Once in a while I think that I miss the old David, but then I look at the People Magazine couch photo or the Leno appearance photos and I'm obsessed all over again with the "new" David.

I have to agree. I saw some posters at mj's blog make that statement after the MS video blog earlier this week and frankly, I don't agree either. I don't' understand why some people think he isn't happy. You honestly can't judge a person's feelings through a picture or a video. Do I think he is tired maybe, yes. Do I think he is unhappy? Judging by the radio interviews and listening to what he has had to say, no I don't. I think he is just trying to take all of this in one day at a time. It's easy to get a swelled head enough to think you have success in the bag and a year later the rug can be pulled out from under you and it all be gone. I think that David is taking the right approach to all of this.

It looks like one of those "makeover" photo programs where you upload a picture of yer mug and switch hairstyles around to see which one you like best. LOL! Let's try the Rachel. ROTFLMAO!!!

Honestly, he looks exactly the same...with better lighting on the second.

Yeah I agree.

I think he is more open in the old pic, that is because now he may be just desappointed about all the tabloids stuff about him, much of then are not even real.He may be just keeping the feelings to himself and put it on his new musics.

Quite honestly, he just appears to have perfected that "sleepy sexy" look in the newer pic.

I think he never knew quite how sexy he was before Idol and I'm sure he's very aware of how he can work the CFM look to perfection at this point. He's just working that CFM look to perfection in the second pic.

Sexy HELL YES. Dejected no.

Huh, I didn't think of it that way either. You may be right. He has certainly seen enough photos of himself at this point to figure out how to make the CFM face.

If not, well I don't think he's unhappy, like someone above said you can't tell that from a photo or even an interview. I think he's overworked if anything, and probably reeeeallly tired of getting his picture taken.

But I like the sex stare idea!

I was watching Eleanor Rigby earlier tonight and noticed that Cookie jubilantly jumped all over the stage after Simon complimented him. That same goofy, quirky kid is gone, but that goofy, quirky kid would have never gotten this far.

I think after Billie Jean Cookie and TPTB realized they had hit a gold mine. They gave him a fantastic makeover and probably quite a bit of media training, and he became the sweet, sensitive heartthrob/musical genius that soon had America eating out of the palm of his hand.

I think he's gotten a bit of his swagger back lately now that he isn't sweating out what he has to do to take the title. He was rocking it on Leno and Kimmel and knew just what to do to play up to the crowd. I think Cookie is pacing himself, and is probably more ambitious than we know: but he's been in it a while and knows what to do to draw this out.

I fully agree with everything you just said!

DC plays it cool and says he doesn't think he's sexy, but he really knows how to work it...he's no dummy. And yes, through Idol he learned how to use the talent, looks and charisma that he innately has. So while the goofy kid is still there, he has grown up a ton and learned how to show the world the sparkling star that he is.

You guys all crack me up!! He looks EXACTLY the same to me, right down to his lovable smirky little smile. His hair is shorter and he's a few pounds lighter. Other than that, he looks the same to me.

EXACTLY the same...I'm telling ya, it looks like one of those programs where you take a picture of your face then replace your hairstyle with different looks to experiment.

Totally agree. It's the same David! David the person hasn't changed. David the artist hasn't changed. The world around him (including us) has.

How can we possibly think he's unhappy when the dream he has slaved away for for ten years has finally come to fruition?!

Blake - you said it! He's the same and having a blast! He said in his My Space interview that "this truly is the time of his life" and I believe it! He just needs some zzzzzzzzzzz.




I'm glad I'm not alone. I was starting to wonder if there was something I just wasn't seeing! I thought the same thing as you - "PHOTO SHOP." he he

Exactly! This was his dream and he's finally living it and I think he's just trying to savor each and every moment.

he's cute either way. but i like the new david more. he looks "older"

I'm telling you, those AI stylists really need a raise!

I agree with that 100%. Even Jason Castro said it on one of his interviews that Cook has his camera look down.

I like both pictures!

He looks great in both pics - he does look different but he's still got that same sexy grin! Grrrr.. *mind slipping in gutter again*

both pictures looks amazing to me!!Hair might have changed and the lighting but its just the same.. He is fine, happy and enjoying what he's doing right now...not dejected.

Second picture is totally HOT and SEXY!

He's beautiful in both! Just different hair thats all!!

perfect then,perfect now!

Yep. Its just a different haircut and a scruffier beard.

I'd agree, he looks slightly tired, but that's it, can't see a hint of dejection about him, longing to be able to lie in until noon maybe, but no dejection.

In the photo on the left, he's not as certain about himself, but he's trying! His lips are pushed out just a bit and his eyes really engage you -- it's like he's about to lean in and give you a kiss. In the one on the right, he's knows he's hot and is waiting for you to lean in and kiss him!

both are sexy! but i prefer the new david.. OMG those eyes are killing me!!!

wow this is a really deep conversation over 2 pictures.
all i was saying was that he looks older in the second one. as for his "optimism and sparkle being gone" doesnt that seem a little dramatic? after all he wasnt the american idol in the first picture and he is in the second one. i think he would have more "sparkle" after winning that title.

I agree with L'il Sparrow & you BrightEyes; the eyes (windows to the soul) show the inner difference in the pics.
Left side is that childlike innocence, pure spirit. The right side a bit more tailored & prepped (not preppy) & aware, ego.
But I must also agree with Blake; he is still the same David. Everyone has spirit-self & ego-self and we all operate out of each to different degrees at different times.

Ok..enuf analysis (sorry,Im a psych major!) The guy is happy, just harried abit I think. Mixed bag, ya' know -think about it; it's nice to be loved,but maybe paparazzi & expectations can get to a person sometimes. Just send him light & love and pray for him. Ive been on some other sites, and believe me there are unfortunately some real energy vampires out there, ignorant of what those overly needy vibes might do. God Bless David.

that's the best interpretation... iloveit iloveit!

The smile in the younger pic is much more genuine. Maybe he's gotten a bit cynical about the whole process of promoting himself. Or maybe he's just tired of all the photo shoots. And definitely needs more sleep.

Other than the haircut and the loss of a few pounds he looks the same to me. I prefer the newer picture just cause I love the hair now. Hated it at the beginning.

yeah well he's insanely busy with everything now
he is doing interviews, photo shoots, performances, getting prepared for the tour and getting a record done
i believe in one interview, he said they finished writing 7 songs? and to be frank 7 songs is a whole lot, he must have been working hours upon hours because most of the time 1 song writing process could take more than 2 weeks
so yeah, i guess it's just a work load and the stress, i don't think it's anything serious

all i see here the difference between the 2 pictures is just one thing: maturity. and it's admirable how he's handling his hectic schedule on a daily basis. i dont think he's had enough, he knew he has to expect camera lights flashing to his face, interviews et al. to be honest, for the shit of me i dont recall other Idol winners being this 'hounded' by the media the way David has been. its close to a month he won and still, everyone is obsessed with him. obviously we can see his eyes are begging to close for some winks, but i'm more focused on his lips. oh,Lordy..

His hair is a bit different...
but you gotta change the sex hair time after time!

Wow, I love both styles of David Cook! I thiiink I like his old look a tad bit more...There's just just something about the old DC

I know. I keep looking at these pics, and his lips are amazing. Nice color, nice shape, not too full, not too thin, they curve up at the ends a little - very very very nice!



Wow, I had no idea that this thread would take off in this direction! I just wanted to show how much his appearance had changed, and I didn't even notice a difference in his sparkle, just a difference in his hair, weight and scruff!

I agree with those who say it's NOTHING. You CANNOT read a picture like that. And it's only ONE picture! I'm sure I can find tons more where he looks all glowy.

But if you must analyze it, here's what I think. He most likely looks different because - a. He got a makeover and feels pretty damn hot now (as well he should), b. He learned to work the camera and got used to many photo sessions, and c. he's overworked, tired, and the novelty of the media blitz is starting to wear off a little.

Oh, btw, I prefer the new hair too, and I think he looks fantastic with the weight off, but really he was cute before too, in a more boyish way. Much sexier lookin now though, IMO. Now if he can only find a way to add some of that bad boy grungy rocker vibe back in to mix with the new hair and bod, oh man that would be the best of both worlds.

I think both looks are to die for. The only thing that I see about the second pic is the shorter hair, weight loss, and a touch of fatigue. I certainly don't think he's sad, depressed, or that the spark is gone. We can't say if he's feeling down or not, because we're not him. As far as I can tell, he's still amazed at all that has happened to him since Ryan Seacrest said "David... ... ... Cook!" last month, and he's taking it all a day at a time. It's all he can do, really.