New CNN Interview!
Filed Under (interview ) by Admin on Monday, March 1, 2010
Posted at : Monday, March 01, 2010
Adam Lambert: The kids understand
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- At any given time, it's hard to hide a 6-foot-1-inch man wearing eyeliner. It's even more difficult when that man is Adam Lambert and you're trying to prevent 2,400 middle school students from discovering that he's set foot on their campus.
And so, the 2009 "American Idol" runner-up waited patiently in an underground parking garage until the bell rang, and then he quickly made his way to Mrs. Fuller's Contemporary Rock Band class.
The 28-year-old entertainer opened the door to the classroom and poked his head in. "Hey, guys! Hi!" he exclaimed as 45 budding musicians whistled and pounded on their desks in a teenage show of welcome.
Lambert made the surprise visit to Belvedere Middle School in East Los Angeles to drop off school supplies. His fans had raised more than $290,000 for DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit Web site where teachers can sign up for materials not provided by their school district. In this case, Sarah Fuller, the school's music director, had requested 1,000 keyboard batteries and 1,000 guitar strings.
"I posted the battery grant, and in three weeks, it got funded. I was like, 'Woo hoo, yay!' " she exclaimed. "Before that, I would have to go after them on my own, and I'd have to charge the kids two dollars for the batteries and a dollar for every string that you break."
Powered by fresh batteries and new guitar strings, the students accompanied Lambert as he sang his current single, "Whataya Want From Me."
"It's about vulnerability and emotional confusion and hope," Lambert explained. In other words, it's a perfect tune for teens in the process of discovering who they are.
CNN: Did you take music when you were in school?
Adam Lambert: In middle school, I really didn't have music, but in high school, I remember taking a lot of choir and drama.
CNN: How do you think it changed your life as a student?
Lambert: I didn't feel like I fit in, especially in middle school. That was the particular three years that I felt really unsure of who I was, and I didn't have a lot of friends. But in the few art classes that I took, that's where I felt like I was good at something. It gave me confidence. I made friends through it, and it gave me a sense of belonging.
It's a really important part of being in school and developing as an adolescent -- and as a teenager, it's finding what makes you happy, finding hobbies and finding things that make you feel good about what you can do. And anything we can do as a community to help support those classes and those opportunities, I think we need to take them.
CNN: How did you get your fan base to give?
Lambert: DonorsChoose.org is a great Web site. Basically, teachers post like little ads for materials that they need, like, "We need 30 pairs of headphones that's going to cost this much money." The donor can go on and choose what they want to support, so they can see exactly where their money is going, and it's obviously tax-deductible and all that.
CNN: A lot of the kids were familiar with you from "American Idol." Were they a little self-conscious about meeting you?
Lambert: There were a few who didn't want to make eye contact, but then I started getting into a conversation over here about my hair color and what it was like and how old I am, and we bonded over in the corner.
CNN: Your album release got off with a big bang because of your performance on "The American Music Awards." Video
Lambert: It was a big bang, all right.
CNN: Do you think that ultimately helped you, or do you think it hurt you?
Lambert: I don't really know yet. I think it's yet to be seen. I think ultimately, I was being myself, and I think fans who like what I do saw that, and if it was something that they didn't like, then they didn't like it. Apples and oranges.
CNN: Do you have any regrets?
Lambert: No, no regrets. I think the one thing people need to know is, I do things song by song. That's how I competed on "Idol." Each song I approached a certain way, and it had its own energy. That's where my theater background comes out. I like to interpret songs and almost act out the music, and so with that song ("For Your Entertainment"), it was about risque topics, so I wanted to act out those topics.
Every song has a different vibe. I don't want people to walk away thinking I'm a one-trick pony, and all I do is shock -- sex stuff. You know, that was for that song.
CNN: Did any of the kids ask you about the controversies?
Lambert: See, that's the funny thing. None of the kids asked me about controversies, because I don't think the kids really care. I think it's the parents that care.
CNN: Did the school care?
Lambert: Not from what I heard, no. A lot of people were upset over that performance because they were thinking, "Oh, my God, the children!" But what is so funny to me is that by making such a big deal out of it, they drew more attention to it, and the children can see anything they want on the Internet, anyway.
So in actuality -- in a full-circle way -- because of their protest, it was probably more visible to the children, because kids, teenagers, tend to look at what they're not supposed to look at. So I think if it's a big deal, just sweep it under the rug, like I did. Next! Moving on. (chuckles)
SOURCE
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- At any given time, it's hard to hide a 6-foot-1-inch man wearing eyeliner. It's even more difficult when that man is Adam Lambert and you're trying to prevent 2,400 middle school students from discovering that he's set foot on their campus.
And so, the 2009 "American Idol" runner-up waited patiently in an underground parking garage until the bell rang, and then he quickly made his way to Mrs. Fuller's Contemporary Rock Band class.
The 28-year-old entertainer opened the door to the classroom and poked his head in. "Hey, guys! Hi!" he exclaimed as 45 budding musicians whistled and pounded on their desks in a teenage show of welcome.
Lambert made the surprise visit to Belvedere Middle School in East Los Angeles to drop off school supplies. His fans had raised more than $290,000 for DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit Web site where teachers can sign up for materials not provided by their school district. In this case, Sarah Fuller, the school's music director, had requested 1,000 keyboard batteries and 1,000 guitar strings.
"I posted the battery grant, and in three weeks, it got funded. I was like, 'Woo hoo, yay!' " she exclaimed. "Before that, I would have to go after them on my own, and I'd have to charge the kids two dollars for the batteries and a dollar for every string that you break."
Powered by fresh batteries and new guitar strings, the students accompanied Lambert as he sang his current single, "Whataya Want From Me."
"It's about vulnerability and emotional confusion and hope," Lambert explained. In other words, it's a perfect tune for teens in the process of discovering who they are.
CNN: Did you take music when you were in school?
Adam Lambert: In middle school, I really didn't have music, but in high school, I remember taking a lot of choir and drama.
CNN: How do you think it changed your life as a student?
Lambert: I didn't feel like I fit in, especially in middle school. That was the particular three years that I felt really unsure of who I was, and I didn't have a lot of friends. But in the few art classes that I took, that's where I felt like I was good at something. It gave me confidence. I made friends through it, and it gave me a sense of belonging.
It's a really important part of being in school and developing as an adolescent -- and as a teenager, it's finding what makes you happy, finding hobbies and finding things that make you feel good about what you can do. And anything we can do as a community to help support those classes and those opportunities, I think we need to take them.
CNN: How did you get your fan base to give?
Lambert: DonorsChoose.org is a great Web site. Basically, teachers post like little ads for materials that they need, like, "We need 30 pairs of headphones that's going to cost this much money." The donor can go on and choose what they want to support, so they can see exactly where their money is going, and it's obviously tax-deductible and all that.
CNN: A lot of the kids were familiar with you from "American Idol." Were they a little self-conscious about meeting you?
Lambert: There were a few who didn't want to make eye contact, but then I started getting into a conversation over here about my hair color and what it was like and how old I am, and we bonded over in the corner.
CNN: Your album release got off with a big bang because of your performance on "The American Music Awards." Video
Lambert: It was a big bang, all right.
CNN: Do you think that ultimately helped you, or do you think it hurt you?
Lambert: I don't really know yet. I think it's yet to be seen. I think ultimately, I was being myself, and I think fans who like what I do saw that, and if it was something that they didn't like, then they didn't like it. Apples and oranges.
CNN: Do you have any regrets?
Lambert: No, no regrets. I think the one thing people need to know is, I do things song by song. That's how I competed on "Idol." Each song I approached a certain way, and it had its own energy. That's where my theater background comes out. I like to interpret songs and almost act out the music, and so with that song ("For Your Entertainment"), it was about risque topics, so I wanted to act out those topics.
Every song has a different vibe. I don't want people to walk away thinking I'm a one-trick pony, and all I do is shock -- sex stuff. You know, that was for that song.
CNN: Did any of the kids ask you about the controversies?
Lambert: See, that's the funny thing. None of the kids asked me about controversies, because I don't think the kids really care. I think it's the parents that care.
CNN: Did the school care?
Lambert: Not from what I heard, no. A lot of people were upset over that performance because they were thinking, "Oh, my God, the children!" But what is so funny to me is that by making such a big deal out of it, they drew more attention to it, and the children can see anything they want on the Internet, anyway.
So in actuality -- in a full-circle way -- because of their protest, it was probably more visible to the children, because kids, teenagers, tend to look at what they're not supposed to look at. So I think if it's a big deal, just sweep it under the rug, like I did. Next! Moving on. (chuckles)
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13 comments:
I don't think the AMA hurt Adam a lot. At least not significantly.
I think some conservatives stopped being a fan. that's it.
Anon 1..... and I think some liberals stopped being a fan. How's that?
Guys, it's not about being liberal or conservative lol.
I think some people may not like the direction Adam's going. Taht's when they decide to stop being a fan.
The AMA thing was not a good idea. But it happened already and nothing's going to turn back time. Adam's album is selling moderately so everything's good. But I still think that the album would have sold over a million by now if it weren't for the for AMA performance.
Adam being Adam speaks volumes to every different kid out there—which is immensely more important that selling records.
I agree anon #3. I think the AMA thing hurt him tremendously. He had a golden opportunity to gain a lot of new fans but probably ended up losing instead. He didn't lose me though. It was just a performance that he admittedly got carried away in. But it shouldn't be about libral or conservative views. Look how many libral and conservative people are quick to forgive some of the shameless jerks they elect to public office when they screw up. And they're making decisions about issues that affect our lives directly. Adam is just an entertainer. Get some perspective people. Since when did we start hiring singers to teach our kids morals?
oops. I misspelled liberal.
Whether we like it or not, Adam's personna is tied to liberalism/conservatism. This is not necessarily a political issue but a life style one. A person can be politically conservative but enjoy Adam's music and be accepting and supportive of his life style. And, conversely, not every political liberal likes Adam. That being said, the folks who gravitate to liberal political views tend to be more tolerant of differences.
What I believe sets Adam apart from most entertainers today (in addition to his talent) is his flat out honesty. He is out there and as transparent as anyone could be. That is rare in the world of entertainment.
Adam’s presence in a public forum is inherently political and Adam has taken a stand on equality for LGBT persons.
I agree that the AMA performance hurt Adam tremendously. I know many women who absolutely loved him on Idol, but now are unable to admit being fans or truly aren't anymore. He lost a tremendous amount of respect from individuals and his peers. I wish he would have done TFM acoustic or something else to show off his vocals. All he had to do is sing and smile. He mentioned Kelly Clarkson being so good, and all she did was sing and sing well. I also think that Adam's CD cover hurt the sales. I especially like his Indio concert videos, because he is smiling! He has not being showing his beautiful smile and personality in his televised performances since the AMAs.
After the AMAs, Adam lost the person(s) who posted everything on TheAdamLambertConnection. As far as I know, it hasn't been updated since. Losing fans who were that obessed isn't good.
I've wondered about The Adam Lambert Connection too. And those were the women who flew out to LA to see Adam on Idol, bought him lots of jewelry, etc. But the best Fantsy Springs videos I've seen say they are by TALC, so.....?
IMO ... If ADAM lost fans because of ONE performance (which I really got a big kick out of) were not TRUE fans to begin with. "A friend is someone who knows EVERYTHING about you and likes you anyway"! The same holds true for FANS!
I think a visit to TALC site would change your mind ... they are very much up to date at their forum & have DEFINITELY not left ADAM as his DEVOTED fans. Last discussion Mar. 3, 2010. Check it out!
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