Adam’s glamorous life
Sydney Star Observer last spoke to Adam Lambert at the start of the year, in the direct aftermath of his brazen November 2009 performance at the American Music Awards, where he kissed a boy (and he liked it) on stage.
By the time Lambert visited Australia a couple of months later, US TV appearances were being cancelled left and right, the reasoning seeming to be that given live air time, Lambert would start dry-humping the nearest male for attention.
Almost one year on from the initial fracas, Lambert sounds pleased to have proven the doubters wrong.
“I definitely didn’t see the backlash coming as it did. I learned from it, and I’m really proud that I managed to get through it without apologising at any stage, because I don’t think I did anything wrong,” he said, snatching some phone time while visiting Atlanta as part of his Glam Nation tour, which will come to Australia in October.
Lambert’s subsequent rise in popularity caught even his Australian tour promoters by surprise: his Aussie dates were hastily moved to bigger venues when he sold out the entire tour in a matter of weeks. Lambert has a theory about why Australia seems to ‘get him’.
“The culture [in Australia] seems very open, every liberal, very peaceful and positive. As far as people enjoying the music, there’s probably not as much fear of homosexuality down there, so people can just enjoy the music a little easier,” he offered.
In a world where Lady Gaga’s upped the ante for pop stars when it comes to outspoken support for same-sex rights, Lambert is adamant that just being unashamedly himself is a political statement.
“I don’t get heavily involved in activism, because I feel that just by being myself, that in itself is a statement. Here in the United States, I’m the first openly gay singer to be signed to a major label. That in itself should be looked at as a step in the right direction.”
And he has no intention of hiding his sexuality. Clearly not fazed by the conservative reaction to his last same-sex snog, he’s gone and done it again: this time, with arguably one of the most famous gay men in music, Jake Shears.
The two get it on backstage with a steamy, prolonged pash for the Scissor Sisters’ latest webisode, while Katy Perry looks on in mock horror.
“I wasn’t complaining,” he said of the kiss.
“I went to go see their show in New York and Jake and I hit it off. He’s so great, and he invited me to do one of the spoof videos on their website. It was actually his boyfriend’s idea for us to be making out while Katy watched.”
Was he tempted to flub his lines and reshoot the kiss a few more times?
“Katy insisted that we do it one more time. I thanked her later.”
info: Adam Lambert plays the Enmore Theatre on Wednesday, October 20. Tickets through Ticketek.
good article about adam. am so glad adam is coming to perform here in sydney.
Adam appearances were NOT “canceled left and right”. There were only 2 previously confirmed appearances that were canceled: ABC’s “Good Morning America” (on 2 days’ notice) and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Show”. The network also did not follow through with a possible short appearance which had been under consideration for New Year’s Eve. IMO, this was not as big a deal as some in the media want to make it out to be. For the first date, Adam was immediately picked up for a live appearance on the “CBS Early Morning Show”, a competitor of the ABC show, and for NYE, he was invited to headline a 45 min show at the Los Angeles “Gridlock” New Years Eve Celebration. ABC clearly over-reacted on the basis of a very small number of viewers complaining (~1500 out of 14 million viewers).
Adam is such a talent and I’m excited that he is being so well received overseas. You Aussie’s are in for a treat with your ears and eyes because Adam is one sexy performer, too.
Love Adam Lambert. He is an Amazing performer.
Adam Lambert has weathered the initial storm after the AMA’s because he has remained true to himself. The U.S. is very isolated in their thinking. Recently, Katy Perry’s song with Elmo on Sesame Street was removed from being shown because parents thought her dress too revealing. Many Americans feel they have the right to dictate their moral feelings to all Americans. Fortunately, we are starting to fight back and not accept this narrow minded way of thinking, or having others speak for us. This type of censorship we experience here is harmful. Adam’s fans are 100% behind him.
Adam Lambert it’s ashame you were born in such an uptight nation as the United States. The world loves you. I’ve been reading about his International tour seems like he’s popular in a lot of countries.