Androgyny Is My Thing, Adam Lambert Says

First he wanted to be a role model for "misfit" teenagers. Then he said he wasn't a babysitter. Adam wants to do what Adam wants to do, whenever he wants to do it. He's a spoiled kid, not an iconoclast.

Jade, do you realise the contradictions in your post?

Since when did a babysitter become a role model? When I use a babysitter, it's to make sure my children don't answer the door to strangers. or put their fingers in sockets, or get hold of matches or anything else that could hurt them, basically to keep them safe, .................... AND very importantly, to make sure they get to bed on time and stay in bed ..................... not to give them lessons in life. That's my job and that of my husband.

As for "misfits", don't you realise that some people's reactions to Adam's performance has only reinforced the "misfit" image and made many of these kids identify with him even more? Whether they choose to admit it to obviously intolerant parents or not.

His performance was vulgar, but what he said about it afterward was even worse. He said he " doesn't sing for everyone". Well, most people don't like someone flipping them off...so who would that be? He said his sexual actions were spur of the moment. That must mean the others were unaware of what he was about to do. That assault is oppressive. He shocked a lot of people alright. Yes, he wore sparkles and eyeliner etc. on AI ..and people like him because he was ALWAYS kind and respectful. Never waiverd from that. So it makes us wonder who he really is. It was a dumb mistake and cost him fans, money and possibly his "rock star" career...all because of a tantrum on stage. So far he hasn't been mature enough to admit this or apologize to those of us who looked forward to seeing him become that iconic rock star. Good luck with that now.

Adam has also said that he may not be for everyone and that he is a very sexual person. I truly feel that he is the sweet, humble person we all saw on AI..but, he comes from a background where more outrageous acts were considered OK..I personally love the guy..he has major talent..he is witty, articulate, beautiful..and I don't think he intended to offend anyone..he has said as much on several occasions..I am rooting for him to become very famous and rich..although, having said all of this..I do agree that the AMA type performance should have occurred a little later in his career..but, Adam is Adam..I love that he makes no apologies for who he is..but he has apologized for any offense taken to his antics at the AMA's..and I am a 67 yo grandmother!!

Oh get off your high horse. Why don't you take a music history lesson and check out just how many artists have flipped the bird. They are not flipping it at the audience. They are sending a message to the people that try to pull them down. i.e. Prince when folks said he couldn't perform wearing chap pants that showed his butt. Guess what he did. Madonna for being banned on certain parts of her concert tour in various countries. Pink at the "general oppression" of women and their sexuality. Yes Pink did an oral sex move live on a music award with one of her male dancers. Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Eminem. I could go on but you obviously need to get an issue of Rolling Stone and keep up on your music. For CENTURIES our artists have been pushing the envelope and flipping the bird. If you can't understand the symbolism behind it you must be dense. Adam Lambert was flipping the bird at everyone who was saying he wasn't gay enough, he was too gay, he isn't rock enough, he isn't pop enough. He was flipping the bird to every nay-sayer trying to pull him down. He wasn't flipping the bird at the audience so get a grip.

Oh, LoriB, please! You try to sound like some sort of authority on what people expect and then show you haven't a clue. I'm sure Adam's AMA performance has cost him sales (but that says worse about the people who didn't subsequently buy his album than it does about Adam himself) but to say that Adam's antics may have cost him his "rock star career" is at best ill-informed. Seriously? Adam's antics were tame compared to those of rock stars over the decades. Have you heard a rock star or anyone in the industry say that they were offended or even shocked? On the contrary. They've wondered what the fuss is about.

You say that Adam's performance was not as rehearsed. Adam has been very diplomatic in continuously bringing up that as a possible reason for ABC's reaction but the fact is that the rehearsal tape exists showing that the antics that affronted some did form part of the rehearsal. Whether he was told not to include those things in his performance and then did a Jim Morrison and included them anyway is impossible to know but the fact remains that the tape exists and has been mentioned on various shows by many who were there but, still, ABC are yet to let it be seen or even comment on it.

Many people's reaction to his performance is a sad indication of where American mentality is in the 21st century. If Adam had put on that performance at a European awards show, it wouldn't have raised a hair on an eyebrow. Did the 60s not happen for you?

As for the reasons why people liked Adam on AI, personally I liked and like him because he's an exceptional performer, a great singer, a charismatic personality, fearless, anything but safe and predictable, and generally the only contestant to ever appear on that show with the genuine talent and potential to be taken seriously in his genres or in the industry in general. In short, the best thing to happen to that God forsaken, outdated, MOR, snoozefest of a show. This year is supposed to be Simon Cowell's last. I wish it were the series' last year too. It's well past its sell by date. Adam was the closest it has come to being dragged kicking and screaming to the present day but sadly the reaction of some to his performance on the AMAs shows that the only hope for the show is to be put out of its misery. No one remotely daring is going to be allowed to come out of the show without the American Idol albatross remaining around the neck.

Lori, if you honestly think Adam's AMA performance has harmed his chances of being a rock star (never mind an icon that I never expected him to become and don't expect him to become) you don't know the first thing about rock.

Lori B
From the first day (as the author of this article mentioned) Adam was unique and proved a surprising/different type of creativity:

“Even as early as his days on American Idol, Adam made no secret of who he was as an artist: his main characteristic is his willingness, as well as his ability to shock”

Yes, he likes to shock, taking risks and being different and this is why we like him. He did not disappoint us. I know, maybe not everybody likes swagger and edgy creativity. Such people can enjoy SuBo anytime.
Just a reminder for you: what Adam did at AMA was to interpret THAT the lyrics of a song, it was his imagination/creation (basically he’s an actor), was NOT who Adam is in real life.
Reality check: he is the same polite, sweet, smart, funny, honest, generous, kind guy that you know from AI.

Adam is an absolutely talented, fascinating and sensational phenomenon. Except for his talent, Adam has a particular and sensational sense of style with CLASS. He is a true professional who aims for perfection in everything he does. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE HIM.I am sure he learned about limits after AMA and he will adjust.
Adam is the perfect entertainer.

LoriB&JadeD: What makes you feel that ADAM owes you or ANYBODY an apology for 'acting out' the lyrics of a song. He has been asked & has answered the same da*n question over & over and has said 'it was NOT his intention to offend anyone ... only to ENTERTAIN and in so doing he got carried away in the moment'. What part of that statement did you or anyone NOT understand. The preceeding performances before ADAM'S were to me HIGHLY offensive starting with Janet Jackson (with some artists along the way that were no)t but mainly the acts were HIGHLY suggestive and yet NOBODY objected to those acts EVEN though they were performed WELL before the FCC "curfew". I think you along with a lot of other unaccepting people are looking for a "whipping boy" and have zeroed in on ADAM. The incident happened in 2009 ... this is 2010 ... I think it is time to put all this behind us and MOVE ON ... media & press included! IT'S OVER PEOPLE ... IT HAPPENED ... FORGET ABOUT IT!!!! Why don't you REMEMBER the charity that ADAM lent his support to and in so doing raised nearly $300K for the CHILDREN in disadvantaged urban schools that don't have the funds to buy supplies for the art programs that were CUT from their curriculum? I think ADAM is a MARVELOUS ROLE MODEL and YOU would do well to EMULATE his GENEROSITY & HUMANITY!!!

I have now met Adam three times and Adam is far from a "spoiled kid." He is kind, sweet, gentle, caring, funny, oh so intelligent and intuitive and yes, he loves to shock us which makes him exciting and fun as well. At that hour of the night Adam is correct, he should not have been a babysitter, it was well after children's bedtimes. If young children were up then look to those parents for fault. Had he been performing during prime time when children are up, I seriously doubt we would have had the same performances from all the guest artists. That show was for adults and was advertised as such. Adam is a wonderful role model for what you term "misfit" teenagers. They won't find a better person than Adam Lambert to exemplify what one can become when "different" than classmates. Adam has worked through all those feelings and is comfortable with who he is (and that's terrific!). To categorize Adam's AMA performace as a tantrum on stage shows a definite lack of understanding first of Adam, and second, of what true performance artists experience on stage. Adam is a performer that lets the music, words and adrenaline take over which we saw many times on AI. Adam's only mistake on his AMA performance was not giving his audience his usual perfect vocals and for that he has apologized and been forgiven. He need not apologize for anything else. If that performance cost him fans than they were shallow fans at best. You cannot pigeonhole or put boundaries around Adam and his performances, he is too complex and multi-facted to do so. I personally will love watching Adam as he grows, changes and moves effortlessly from one musical style to the next, most likely creating new ones. I love listening to his cabaret and Zodiac Show performances as well as his FYE album, there is no one vocally/musically better. He has a special talent and thank heavens, he is willing to share his talent with us.

Bravo Adam. I am glad to see such a free spirited and free thinking artist. I think it is about time we've had one and a male at that. We need a role model we can look to and you are perfect. We, my friends and I totally get you. You want to learn and grow and be yourself. That makes me feel good about myself, about who I am and what I want to represent and put out there. I'm tired of trying to living in this cookie cutter box as the person my parents want me to be. I want to be myself. I want to experiment with life. No I don't mean doing drugs, drinking or fornicating. I mean with my choices, my passion. I so get you. My sisters and friends look up to you and they as well as me did not have any problem with your performances before Idol, during Idol, after Idol or on the AMA. Maybe my parents are liberal because they had no problem with what you did either. I think the folks that did are too old and not progressive enough. Heck, they probably think your music is too loud too. We love your CD. We dance to it in our garage. My mom cleans the house to it and dad does his exercise to it. So tell those who think you can't be yourself and a role model at the same time to stuff it. You aren't a babysitter. You are a beautiful artist and we love who you are and what you represent.

Every excuse has been used to describe why Adam Lamberts performance at the AMA was inappropriate.
Some said it was because it was on cable (even though daytime television has shown much more shocking images), others have said it was because children were watching the show (which makes me wonder about some peoples parenting choices to let kids stay up so late o a school night).
Truth is that everyone is trying to find an excuse not to blame it on homophobia. JLO "simulated oral sex" whilst half naked on cable on NYE, when many children are allowed to watch, and it was barely mentioned. Janet Jackson grabbed a crotch on the AMA's. Britney kissed Madonna on MTV, and i do not know how many artists i have seen flipping off a t.v. camera. Nothing Adam did on the AMA hasn't been seen before on television. If those performances are acceptable for broadcast, then criticizing Adams performance is definitely a double standard.
P.S. Some people feel it is inappropriate for a black man to kiss a white woman on television or visa versa. Should we prevent such a display of affection on television because some find it vulgar? Who gets to define what is vulgar and what is not?

Well it's like this. If you like Adam then he is here for your entertainment...

If you don't like him them you are here for his!

I love you ADAM!!!!!

First Adam is a fantastic musical artist. He is a role model for teens s growing up having HETEROSEXUALITY shoved in their face day in and day out; knowing they somehow don't fit the mold. Adam is not only openly gay, and a very creative performing artist, he is also kind, very well spoken, intelligent, and can sing his face off. For kids who are also gay or kids who are extremely creative - they see someone like Adam being honest, really gracious to others, not afraid to be himself and it tells them the world is accepting (at least to some degree). Adam is not the babysitter for small children or foolish parents who let their little ones watch TV14 rated music shows. But he is a really genuinely nice, honest, up front person and highly talented. In addition, Adam's supportive parents are a role model to parents who have highly intelligent, creative kids and/or kids who are gay.

Jade you obviously don't have a super creative, out of the box teenager or a son or daughter who is gay. If you did you would know that Adam Lambert stands for acceptance, honesty, creativity, and support to these kids. Adam had wonderful parents and he is a very kind and well spoken person. Adam has done over 50 performances in our living rooms and anyone who doesn't get that he acts out the lyrics of his songs is blind. Also anyone who take one 4 minute performance and thinks that defines him is just ignorant.

Adam is wonderful and smart, dealing the hypocrisy of ABC in a cool and an intelligent way, a real roll model for many of us. He doesn't loose his serenity even though he has been the victim of a very cynical double-standard attitude . Adam, We love you and appreciate you forever!

I thought Adam's performance was campy, not vulgar. J Lo had two male dancers between her legs and no one seemed to care. Adam is just starting out with media attention that is unprecedented. He has had more attention focused on him than any American Idol ever. All Adam wants to do is entertain and his sexuality became the focus of his entire Idol run. Then when his win was stolen from him with the help of a corporate sponsor in Arkansas, not one person in the media stepped up to investigate the story. Was it alright to steal the win from a gay man? Now the media singled Adam out for his AMA performance when others were just as sexual. I believe that Adam is one of the most gifted singers ever and what have we done to him? Rather than embracing this gifted man he has had to fight for a career. I for one do not want an apology. How many time have we seen icons die young? I think it is the media and the public that should take the pressure off Adam and just let him entertain.

If Adam gets nothing out of the firestorm following his AMA performance is that he needs to make his performances about the music first and foremost. IMO, if he does that, with his amazing and unique talent, he'll have a fantastic career. Love you, Adam!

So this is old news, and just why are still talking about it? OK. we'll discuss it again. He said he messed up, he was in the moment, and what happened after that has taught Mr. Lambert about what can be accepted and what cannot be.

If you still want to drag out the AMA performance, even thout that was last years news, we'll go that route again. It seemed like J Jackson was grabbing crotch on prime time, Phianna was spread thin all over, and Gaga was imulating bleeding all over a burning piano. Not to be outdone, Adam showed his bad side. Here's the difference. He admitted he over showed it, and did things that ABC did not know about. And since then, every and I do mean EVERY performance has been done respectfully and with class.

Yup, another difference? Even though ABC's Rockin' NYE's show with Jennifer Lopez had her male-licking crotch views, and without children, this is OK? Hey, it's entertainment.

Losing fans? check his fan bases. It's his music, his authenticity, and his courage that keeps them loyal.

Keep beating that dead horse, if you want.

I lived through the Elvis days and I remember they wouldn't show him from the waste down on Ed Sullivan's show. Everyone thought it was lewd and he was going to ruin the younger generation. It's laughable now but that's the way it was. Adam is just another performer who is trying to stand out and be different. Did he go too far? That depends on probably what part of the country you live in. Some things are more tolerable in places like LA and NY and I'm sure they view it differently than most states. I think it's time to get over it...Adam has proven he can sing his face off, so much talent that everyone needs to just relax and see what he does next. I think he's learned to tame his performances down because Gridlock was amazing.

shock does not = good. Elvis never got buried on the fifth page and had to use sexuality to get noticed. Elvis was a great singer that people also thought was a sex symbol. Until Adam proves to everyone he is a great singer he won't be forgiven for being vulgar. Right now he's far, far behind susan boyle who has had the same opportunity. My guess is she won't be grabbing anyone's crotch anytime soon. Adam needs to play the game more before he breaks rules.

Time for everyone to stop rationalizing. What Adam did was stupid and he already got all the negative publicity he could get to create buzz. A simple apology and all would be forgotten. To say he "wanted" to get blackballed by ABC and to do a non-televised NYE performance in a crappy 4500 person back lot with Pamela Anderson (D lister) is ridiculous. It's immaturity. For claiming to want to be "current" so much he should quit trying to re-live the 80s. He's too new to thumb his nose at the "establishment". Besides, you don't get any more pandering or "establishment" than American Idol. He completely sold himself out for fame on the show and now he's angry? Then fine, go back to crawling around in the Hollywood dives if you are so offended. He should thank everyone that he gets to even have a chance to show his talent. If he wants to get on a soapbox then join a gay parade. No one could care less.

No, shock does not equal good but the two are not mutually exclusive.

Since when has Adam been buried on the fifth page? Have you been in the same galaxy for the past ten months? Elvis didn't use sexuality? You've clearly been in a parallel universe for the past sixty years. How established was Elvis when he made his then infamous appearance that led to him being shown only from thewaist up?

Adam is a great singer who many (though not myself personally) also consider also a sex symbol. If you don't think Adam has proven himself to be a great singer, I'd like to know when the last time you heard a voice like his was.

You compare him to Susan Boyle which leads me to believe that you are quantifying "great" with sales. By that logic, Madonna and Britney are two of the greatest singers who ever lived. The reasons for Susan Boyle's huge sales in such a short space of time is in relatively little part to do with her talent being outstanding (Elaine Page, Ruthie Henshall or Sarah Brightman she is not). She gained attention because the incongruity of her looks and her voice, but with her good but unspectacular voice and zero performance skills, had she walked on as a 47year old woman looking like Michelle Pfeiffer, she would have flown under the radar, at best have made the final eight and would have probably not even got a contract. Susan Boyle is selling a fairytale far more than a product - many average people’s dream that that could be them. Mediocrity and ordinariness appeals and sells far more than excellence. For anyone doubting that, I give you the Spice Girls.

You can't compare the opportunities Susan and Adam have been given. When Adam got a standing ovation (a rarity on American Idol) the clip of his performance was the most sought that day, beating clips including Obama's Middle East speech and whatever it was that Britney had got up to that day that was considered newsworthy. However, it didn't get the general credit or attention that the performance or Cowell's rare gesture merited. Heck, even Danyl Johnson's audition on X Factor this year got more attention and that was nothing but a manic, tuneless shambles from a contestant who in the live shows turned out to be the biggest disappointment in the show's history. All that said, no previous American Idol contestant has had the international buzz or fan base while still in the show as Adam built. Having the second most trafficked fansite of any Sony BMG artist in the world is one testament to that. His album making the charts in several countries and #7 on the international charts with no promotion other than to the relatively few who watch American Idol in those countries and those who were intrigued by the AMA performance is another.

There are plans to promote Adam internationally this year (most close to being confirmed are the plans for the UK where his album is being officially released in March/April though it has been available unpromoted since November) and in all those countries, it may surprise some in America to hear, his AMA performance is being used as a positive, as are his “audacity”, “daring”, ”outrageousness” and open homosexuality. You see, the thing is, the rest of the western world at least lives in the 21st century and, strangely enough, do not have the level of crime and depravity of the USA. Funny that! Make something taboo and it becomes fun. Make it acceptable and it becomes boring.

You are very close to being very wrong in your guess about Susan. She has on two occasions exposed herself in front of an audience. The first time when she lifted her dress up and showed her knickers in the final of Britain's Got Talent after she didn't win and, thankfully, one of the presenters was able to mask the situation, and another time when she lowered her scooped neck dress and flashed the studio audience during her Christmas special which was pre-recorded as all her performances are now (even those broadcast on live shows such as America's Got Talent and X Factor) because the shows will not take the risk of what she may do. The only live performance she has given since that has been broadcast live has been the Early Show and even that was on a ten second delay. The sight of Ms Boyle’s undercarriage and crackers is something that the US has yet to experience. God help her if she were to do anything like that on US TV. She’d be finished. The US is her biggest market. She has big worldwide sales but nothing like the US in any other country and in her home country, she is mostly seen as a joke.

Why should Adam apologise? What did he do wrong? If he needs to apologise, Jennifer Lopez needs to apologise for her NYE performance, Pink needs to apologise for her performance last year, Madonna, Britney and Christina need to apologise for their little stunt, Michael Jackson needs to apologise from the grave for decades of crotch-grabbing, his sister needs to apologise for her AMA performance to, and that is to name just a few.

Who is saying he wanted to get blackballed (what a ridiculous oxymoron when you consider that the blackball is the highest scoring) by ABC? If you think the Gridlock event isn’t prestigious and sort after, you clearly haven’t seen the list of previous headliners. For a start, it’s a paid gig while the televised ones are not. Secondly, it gave Adam the chance to pretty much try out half a concert set instead of one or two songs in the middle of a cheesefest. As for Pamela Anderson, her heyday may be long gone but D lister? Hardly. Unless you’re referring to her cup size.

Time for you to stop ranting. What you are saying is not just stupid but illogical. One minute you suggest Adam made a mistake then you suggest it was done to create a buzz for publicity. At least make your mind up.

Immaturity? By who? Adam or his supporters? Either way, it’s typical of those who assume that Adam’s fanbase is made up solely of little girls and it’s especially rich coming from someone whose posts are little more than ill thought out and ill-informed rants and who has the lack of respect to call an audience “crappy”.

It may have escaped your notice but the 80s are current. Look and listen around you. Again, I have to ask am I conversing with a visiting alien from another galaxy?

He’s too new to do what? What about all the new acts, most without a fraction of Adam’s talent, who emerge out of nowhere and set out to shock from the word Go?

When has Adam said that he’s angry about American Idol? As if you haven’t spouted enough inaccuracies (that’s the politest way I can put it – is it mature enough for you?) you now put words in his mouth. Sold himself out for fame? If that was all he wanted, there are plenty of other reality TV shows that he could have gone on. Instead he decided on one that would showcase his exceptional God-given talent and not just his looks, personality or “difference”. American Idol may be establishment (I would use stronger words than that) but what makes you think they didn’t know what they had in Adam? It’s known that he was one of the contestants known to someone on the show before their auditions. The record company and management’s intention has never been to market Adam to the Staid family from Safeville in downstate Boring. They knew they had someone who could finally bring the show some credibility in its death throes and finally be a genuine international star. Not a moderate success like Jordin, not a slightly bigger success like Kelly, not a niche success like Chris D, not a known support act but with no individual success like David A and not a huge national success but with negligible international success like Carrie.

Soapbox? Adam has said time and time again that he does not want to be a poster boy for any cause and what has he got for it? Being accused of not being “gay enough”.

Your last paragraph is generally so angry in tone that any credible argument you may have put forward (which you haven’t, by the way) would be lost and your last line shows exactly what your problem is (and it is a problem and it is yours).

MICK, I hesitate to shout "Homophobe" at anyone who criticizes a homosexual person but you leave little doubt about the reasons for your irrationally strong dislike of Adam Lambert. Please take your thinly-veiled homophobia with you to the 17th century where you belong.

I hope Adam finds out that there is a lot of young children love him...my granddaughter's folks house burned to the ground new years and her thought was I lost my Adam purse I got for christmas....they got it out, it was hanging on a door knob..I think my grandchildren would not be shocked cause they live in 2010 and have to learn there is all kinds in this world...We all love Adam and his music...Just looking at him is a thrill......I pray the media leaves him alone and he gets his career going full blast...they can try Kris but he is not the singer Adam is Gridlock was wonderful.....on New Years 74 year old grandmother and great grandmother...Go Adam...

THIS COMMEMT GOES TO MICK; PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE ELVIS'S TIMES TO ADAM'S, THEY WERE TOTALLY DIFFERENT TIMES!!!AND BOTH ADAM AND ELVIS SHOCKED PEOPLE!!!! ADAM IS NOT VULGAR HE WAS JUST EXPRESSING HIMSELF!!HOW OLD ARE YOU? ELVIS WAS ALSO CONSIDERED VULGAR BY THE NARROW MINDED (YOU/MICK, INCLUDED) AND PLEASE DO NOT COMPARE ADAM TO SUSAN BOYLE!! SHE COULD HAVE A GIFTED VOICE BUT SHE BORED ME TO DEATH!! YOU SEE DIFFERENT OPIONIONS!!

WOW sooo few words can say soooo much... well said !!!

Please.... Adam is soooooo beyond Elvis and Susan... he is truly an entertainer... and puts every ounce of his being into his art. I am 60 and LOVE this guy to death.... what a pleasure to see talent again instead of that primal neanderthal beat with talking along side of it... Thanks God a talented singer has finally hit the stage !!!