Adam Lambert, left no doubt about where he’s coming from – or where he’s going – after his audacious performance at the American Music Awards Sunday night (Nov. 22). He is an unabashedly gay singer who is determined to flaunt his sexuality in a one-man gay rebellion.
Lambert not only seems determined to flaunt his sexuality, he appeared determined to make hard-core sadomasochism an element of his act as well, and some fear it played to negative gay stereotypes.
During his sexually charged performance, Lambert pranced with a dancer on a leash, pushed another dancer’s face into his crotch simulating oral sex and grabbed his crotch. He also made out with a male band member and flipped his middle finger at the cameras.
Lambert competed in Fox television’s “American Idol” talent contest and unlike previous contestant, Clay Aiken, made no effort to hide the fact that he was homosexual.
At one point, he was the even the target of an anti-gay smear campaign on the Internet. Raucous photos of him in drag also surfaced online.
Despite his superior talent, Lambert finished second on the show, incidentally, as did Aiken. But since then, he has emerged as one of the show’s leading, and most outrageous talents.
Lambert shocked some when he unveiled art work for his debut album, which is being released today (Nov. 23). It shows him in what he concedes is a “deliberately campy” pose.
In an interview on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show, he presented his first single, “For Your Entertainment,” calling the synth-heavy pop club tune “dance music with a glam rock shuffle beat.”
The album, For Your Entertainment, features some songs with an “electro pop feel” and others that combine “guitar, live drums, a real rock sound,” he explained.
Writers on the album include Pink and Max Martin, who wrote a tune called “What Do You Want From Me?”; Muse, who wrote a song called “Soaked”; and Justin Hawkins (formerly of the Darkness), who contributed “Music Again.”
Lambert himself wrote or co-wrote four songs: “Strut,” “Aftermath,” “Broken Open” and “Down the Rabbit Hole,” which will be an iTunes bonus track.
Lady Gaga also wrote a song for Lambert, but did not sing on the album.
His album cover and his antics, reportedly disappointed some of his fans.
For the cover, Adam sported frosty pink Angelina Jolie-ish pouty lips, neon blue hair, striking eye make-up and a gloved right hand pressed against his on backdrop of the cosmos.
To assuage critics and disappointed fans, Adam was forced to take to Twitter and let it be known that he want the art to be “deliberately campy” to pay tribute to the ’80s which inspired his album.
The cover, however, also had its supporters.
“I hope Adam’s new album’s cover will spark discussions about gender that some people are afraid to touch. What do you feel when you see someone like Adam looking all dolled up and androgynous on his album cover? If you think it is different, does it mean it’s bad?” wrote one blogger.
“Thank you to those who appreciate and understand that the album cover is deliberately campy. It’s an [homage] to the past. It IS ridiculous,” Lambert posted.
“For those that don’t get it,” he added, “glad to have gotten your attention.”
So far, Lambert is sticking to his gay-goth persona, reflected in his dyed black hair, black nail polish and black clothes. And, so far, it isn’t affecting his career. But whether it will influence his mainstream success in the long-run is problematic.
His music seems perfectly attuned to the dance inspired sounds that have been selling well lately.
The title-track lead single sold 18,000 in its first week, according to SoundScan, while “Time for Miracles” has sold 68,000 in three weeks. Lambert’s songs from “Idol” have sold an impressive 997,000 digital tracks as well.
As far as Lambert is concerned, he was “Glambert” from the start. “I think there’s a misconception; people think that ‘Idol’ is like a Svengali puppeteer,” Lambert told Billboard.
“I think that may be the perception because certain people that have gone through the system didn’t have a strong idea of what they wanted to do visually. I think the minute you do, they respond to that. And I’ve been very verbal and opinionated about what I want to create, and they’ve been nothing but supportive of that.”
Adam Lambert should have been the winner on american idol, he is very talented and is a great performer but he did not win.
Besides being gay these two artists have little in common. I prefer Clay’s voice and style more so than Adam’s but they are both great singers. They appeal to different audiences.
I say good for Adam that he had supportive parents and community to be open about his sexuality and proud of who he is.
I really am tired of the implications portraying Clay as a coward when he had tremendous obstacles and prejudices to overcome to get to where he is today. It takes a lot of courage to come out to a family and community that may reject you than to come out when you know you’ll be accepted. I respect and admire him for the person he is.
There are a lot of gay men in hollywood who haven’t come out yet so why pick on Clay? Richard Chamerland didn’t come out until a year or so ago…also raymond Burr. Why not pick on them? All gay men or women are not alike…so stop with your comparisons. I couldn’t imagine Clay grabbing someone in a band and kiss them or other attention grabbing things he did. Maybe Adam likes the attention….who cares? All I know is that I like performers who can sing and not grab hold of their gentitals or someone elses while doing so.Maybe Adam thinks this is what the public wants…maybe some do, that’s why we have people liking some more than others.
Wow, it’s OK if Madonna, Kate Perry and others kiss a woman, but when a man kisses a man it becomes big news. Give it a rest, its “For Your Entertainment”
I agree Clay and Adam should not even be compared to each other. And just because Clay chose to come out in his own time was his business, not ours. Adam was already out and proud..good for him. Two totally different cases of where you are in your life when fame hits you. As for their performance styles, again two completely different men. Clay’s music is heartfelt and beautiful, Adam is edgy and “blow your mind” kind of stuff. Both entertainers with different styles. Let them both do their thing and we can choose who we wish to enjoy.
I have to think Clay’s name is used to get more hits. Yes, they are both gay. Adam has been openly living his life as a gay since he was a teen in California. Clay wasn’t ready to come out to anyone, including him family and more than likely to himself, having come from a Southern Baptist area. Everyone deserves their right to privacy and in the case of GLBT, that includes “coming out” when the time is right for them.
I am so sick of the comparisons because there really is no comparison between these two men. Clay is Clay and just happens to be gay. Adam is gay and flaunts it in everyone’s face. I think the former serves the gay community much better.
I watched Adam’s performance from last night and I am not even going to comment as I don’t think any comments are necessary. I went from loving Adam’s “Time for Miracles” to WTF? I am still shaking my head. He has a beautiful voice when he chooses to use it. That’s really all I’ll say.
I really wish people would stop writing about comparisons to Clay Aiken. These two great singers are “night and day”. Yes, they may be gay but that’s where the similarity ends.