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Adam Lambert's Interview with HuffingtonPost

Filed Under ( ) by Admin on Friday, July 27, 2012

Posted at : Friday, July 27, 2012

Via HUFFINGTONPOST:


“Like it or not, the words ‘openly gay’ are ALWAYS going to precede my name in the media. But I don’t carry that heavily. Everyone else does.”

Adam Lambert is incredibly relaxed about dealing with the question he must be tired of answering, especially after he made history as the first ‘openly gay’ singer to top the US Billboard Chart with his second album Trespassing earlier this year.

Adam Lambert can carry controversy easily on his shoulders

“What’s the big deal? I came out of the closet when I was 18, went through all the necessary struggles, and after that I didn’t talk about being gay, I just was.”

"I don't know what came over me"

He admits, though, that part of his growing fame and success has meant working out how much responsibility he has to less confident gay people watching what he says and does.

“When it first started, I didn’t know where to go with it. I didn’t know if that minority group even wanted me to be their representative publicly – it seemed almost… presumptuous.

“Then I worked out you can’t please everyone, so you’re better off being you, ultimately, and it was important for me to assert myself as an artist first and foremost.”

“’Openly gay” always precedes my name in the media, but that’s not the public. They objectify and sensationalise it much more than anyone else. I understand. It’s a hot topic. We’re in the middle of a civil rights movement, so I understand why it’s important, but not to everybody.”

If Lambert is sanguine about his position, he has also been mischievous, not least the 2009 AMA Awards, when he couldn’t help but stun American viewers with his racy performance, including a lip-lock with a male dancer (following Britney and Madonna’s previous clinch) and a bit of crotch action that got edited out of the delayed broadcast. So was this a planned headline-grabber? He chuckles…

“The choreography was planned, but the two things that everybody freaked out about were definitely spur of the moment.

“I don’t know what came over me. I was in the audience and I saw Rihanna and Gaga’s performances, and I thought ‘I’ve got to bump it up a notch’, because I was so inspired by their performances. The whole night blew me away.

“It did me some harm and some good. It freaked some people out, but the conversation it started was fruitful.

“It was the first night after Idol, the chance for failure was really high, and I do think creatively and artistically I bit off a little more than I could chew.”

"It's a game"

Lambert could be forgiven for riding high after the 2009 series of American Idol, where he came second to his roommate Kris Allen. As he says, “There were a lot of different experiences before Idol, but it definitely put me on the map.

Does he look back with resentment for the way it turned out – he was the favourite to win until some pictures of him with another bloke mysteriously made their way into the public domain the week of the final – or gratitude? And who are Simon Cowell and Co to tell someone as trained as Adam Lambert how he should be performing?

He shrugs.

“I got to sing every week, work the system, it’s a game. As somebody who watched the show, I was always yelling at the screen, disagreeing with the judges, and their opinions are valid, but it’s so subjective, and what you hear sonically is really different on TV.

“I took it in, but I kind of took it with a grain of salt, and ultimately I had to trust what I wanted to do.

“Had I auditioned earlier, I wouldn’t have got past the first hoop. It took me a long time to define my identity. I was a very insecure young adult, I went through a lot of growing pains, different professional experiences before that, working in theatre and lots of entertainment gigs, so that all thickened my skin.”

And without Idol, there would have been no Adam Lambert touring with Queen, whose members Brian May and Roger Taylor first encountered their guest frontman during the series finale. Was Lambert brought up on a diet of their singular brand of glam-rock?

“I didn’t really know so much about them,” he remembers. “My dad had their album, so I heard things. My way of getting into 70s rock was Andrew Lloyd Webber – through theatre, Jesus Christ Superstar” … Lambert gets even more animated talking about this lot (“Evita… so good, so good”). And my dad was excited we could finally find common ground, then he sneaked out his concept version, which was a bit more rock, then suddenly we were at David Bowie.”

"Not intimidated, just in awe"

Lambert found Queen again all by himself as a student in LA – “slightly arrested development, smoking pot, drawing and listening to 70s rock” – and became fascinated by Freddie Mercury – “his stage energy, his power, I thought ‘I want to sing like that.’”

Lambert’s path to Queen was a steady one, auditioning for We Will Rock You in Vegas, using Bohemian Rhapsody as his audition tape as he ploughed the boards pre-Idol, and then suddenly, there were the veteran rockers themselves, performing alongside him.

“I wasn’t intimidated, just in awe,” reports Lambert. “Brian and I had a lovely interaction, he’s a cool dude, then we sang We Are The Champions, and we had talked about doing something in the future… Something needed to happen,” he finishes, impressively calm about his unique summoning to one of the rock world’s most high-profile plinths.

Creating his own music has helped Lambert keep it all in balance, particularly the new stuff.

“The last 3 years, I’ve been able to put my feet back on the ground, and work out where I fit in.

“I’m very polarising, people either love or hate me, and I like that.”

Away from the stage, is it a life of revelry and hedonism in the tradition of the rockers he admires so much? Nope, in fact it’s all a bit 21st century.

“I’m in a great relationship right now, and we tend to stay in with friends. I’m very boring, I’m afraid - I’ve had my share of partying.

“My friends keep my feet firmly on the ground, and I value in them, above all things – honesty, directness and taste.”


Source: huffingtonpost UK

76 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our cutie. He sounds so happy. Love him. Greatest singer of our time.

Anonymous said...

Just a minute there Mr. Lambert,I have one more question to ask you before you go. Are you in talks to become an AI judge? What? phone dead!! lol

Anonymous said...

If you click on the article, please note the comments section. These Brits continue to question America's obsession with homophobia - say that the U.S, should get 'educated' and move on. I couldn't agree more. I find 'my' country so very backward in their view of sexuality and it disgusts me. Everyone should be judged for the 'person' they are -- not what they do in their bedroom.

Anonymous said...

I just love Adam Lambert..he is so awesome.

Anonymous said...

I don't think Adam will be a judge it seems they are looking for a big name country singer which I think is laughable if you put together Randy, Mariah and lets say Brad Paisely. Compare that to a younger more diverse panel like x factor and Idol will not win back the demographics they are courting. Anyway we'll know by next week I think :)

Oh and Adam has really really matured over the last one and a had years. I think he has found his place in the world and his relationship has given him peace of mind and heart and they have created a home together that can be his escape from the fame and fans where he can be accepted for who he is....as Adam the man not the singer. Love him and excited to see where his path leads him <333333.

Anonymous said...

I would like to see Adam as a judge on AI. I see that he has no commitments any further than Oct. I think his management has kept this open, it will fill in quick if he does not get the idol job. Does the media think that calling him openly gay, is like getting people to regard him like a cicus act, so they will want to see this curiosity. He can sing too, WOW.
I wouldn't mind seeing him do 6 more gigs with Queen, who treat him like a real human being, and not some misfit in society.

Anonymous said...

I see less and less of Adam being referred to as openly gay in the media.

Anonymous said...

This is my kind of article/interview. Excellent!

Anonymous said...

Kudos to the HuffingtonPost and Adam for this excellent interview.

Anonymous said...

As always excellent ADAM in all his interviews. Love him or hate him, he is deep and profound and always humble. You see a real genuine authentic human being. Love him and so proud of him.

Anonymous said...

Very good interview Huffinton as usual. Adam continues to be the most underrated artist today. No one can come close to him. If Idol does not add Adam to thier judging table they will continue to lose viewers who are tired of over the hill has beens. Adam would give the show some class and sass which it needs!

Anonymous said...

yeah well at 9:22 it took awhile for the "Brits" to accept Adam.
you should be proud of your country, other countries arent as fussy and are open about such issues but let me tell you every country has its haters. we only see the loving kind people, the others do exist.

Anonymous said...

yes, love the article:)

America needs to move on, progress already, it's 2012 not 1220! lol!

Love your question/comment Anon 9:17 :):):)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and sincere exposition, worthy of the amazing Adam Lambert! HH.

Anonymous said...

Adam's middle name is 'relaxed'

Anonymous said...

Toby Keith to 'American Idol': Thanks, But No Thanks

In a new interview, the country superstar reveals that he was asked about his interest in judging the Fox show -- and passed.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-judge-toby-keith-steven-tyler-355234?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Anonymous said...

Class and Sass...that's our boy!

Anonymous said...

Another terrific interview with Adam. He is articulate, confident and so honest. He knows exactly who he is, what he wants, and how to get it. I think he would make an excellent judge on IDOL since he has been there both as a contestant and a mentor. It seems that almost every week now there is another individual coming out and declaring his/her sexuality(namely Frank Ocean recently and just yesterday we read about Sally Ride and her partner of 20+ years).
Adam seems to be more mature, gounded, and so confident in his career and his personal life. I think a lot of that has to do with Sauli and their relationship. The focus With Adam should be on his music not on his sexual preference in life. To me, he is the best vocal talent in music today and deserves much more of the success and accolades that so far has eluded him. After his performances with Queen, I am an even greater fan because Adam Lambert just can do it all. There is no one like him performing on the level that he does and I am so glad to be able to be on this journey as he takes all of us along for the ride.

Anonymous said...

I thought country had their own kind of idol show.....
tired of WGWG and I haven't hardly watched since season 8.

Yes they need "class and sass"

Anonymous said...

Adam has had much success and accolades.

Anonymous said...

He struggled a lot but at the end, he is the INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR.

Take it or leave it!!:))


Canadian

Anonymous said...

THREE LATEST TWEETS FROM ADAM:
Adam Lambert‏@adamlambert

I swear my song "Chokehold" should be the theme for 50 Shades of Gray. Riiiiight?


Look at these two hotties!! My man and my mama! pic.twitter.com/BjXilaY2


San Antonio was fun! Thanks to all who came! ;)


There must be something wrong with my eyes - I see TWO HOTTIES and ONE TOTALLY UNER-HOTTIE in that pic!!!

GGD Gal, declaring my unconditional and total admiration for ADAM THE MAGNIFICENT once again

Anonymous said...

F-CK, meant to say UBER-HOTTIE...

there DEFINITELY is something wrong with my EYES... lol

GGD Gal, again

Anonymous said...

Love Adam more and more when he can tell the HuffPostUK that the AMA's "...freaked people out but the conversation it started was fruitful." I'll say it was, fruitful, that is. lol

Anonymous said...

Adam's interviews are always informative and introspective, never just full of fluff and junk (at least the ones he does for major publiations). He comes off as intellectural but not stuck-up or pompous in any way. It's Idol's loss if they don't choose him, and I think they will NOT. Well, that means I won't have to worry about fitting Idol into my TV schedule.

I LOVE CLASS and SASS! That should be the title for Adam's own SHOW. The hell with all these lame shows that are lacking in imagination and creativity. Bring on the AFL Show, starring AFL!!

DRG

Anonymous said...

Well, Adam, when Shades of Grey becomes a movie, Chokehold will be the theme. Perfect fit.
DRG

Anonymous said...

9:52am: agree with you, I think it is lessening. How often can one keep stating this? As Adam has said "hit it straight on and move beyond it" - maybe we will get there someday. It was refreshing to be in UK and not be exposed to such nonsense, not to mention the awesome Queen concerts where everyone loved Adam, incl those seeing him live the first time. it was truly incredible; the glow has not yet rubbed off!

Anonymous said...

I guess according to Toby Keith, AI is trying to recruit a country music star..Well all I can say is in a couple of years when AI tries to get Adam as a judge, he can go tell them to Kiss his beautiful, firm Ass!

Article was great, Adam is such an amazing person, true inspiration.

NKlovesAdam

Anonymous said...

LOL tweet from someone on twitter:

Michael Fiorica ‏@DetectiveFreek
Miranda Lambert is so stupid. It's like your husband is gay MOVE ON. Adam won american idol like five years ago, you can do better

Anonymous said...

Yes, Mitt Romney is in UK wish someone would ask him when America is gonna move beyond it. Under his administration-never! He already put his foot in his mouth yesterday in UK, he has another foot! Equality Mitt?

Anonymous said...

To Michael Fiorica: Adam Lambert did not win American Idol during season 8...Kris Allen did. He should have won, but did not. And what is all that nonsense about Miranda Lambert, her husband and being gay? Makes no sense at all, any of this.

Anonymous said...

@1:31pm. Take it easy. It is a funny tweet from someone who doesn't much.

Anonymous said...

WHOOPIE! JAK here....My Trespassing UK album was due yesterday and didn't show up :( .
My daughter just stopped by for a visit and came in with a smile on her face and that oh so familiar question from her childhood......
"How much do you love me Mom?"
I responded as usual "As high as the sky and deep as the sea".

She had brought in my mail and pulled out a brown envelope marked
Royal Mail....United Kingdom!!!!
Hooray, Hooray it's a really good day....I'm heading in and curling up with some good music. :)))

Anonymous said...

We need to try and get Adam on Jimmy Fallon. He had a primetime special last night. Adam would fit in perfectly.

Anonymous said...

I don't know anything about 50 Shades of Grey, but Chokehold is one of my fave tracks, so I'm all for it. :)

Anonymous said...

Jay Leno seems to be one of the few late night hosts besides Kimmel who isn't fearful of putting the gorgeous articulate Adam on to chat. So much simpler to go with the likes of Justin Bieber whose potential for meaningful conversation is nil.

Anonymous said...

it is a crying shame that they are not apparently going to choose Adam as a judge...why don't they hire a country singer and Adam and move Randy to a mentor????? the way I see it, having Mariah and Randy both at the judges table is sort of a conflict of interest. I am still perplexed as to why Adam hasn't just taken to Twitter and told us that he is NOT in talks to become a judge..he usually will squash a rumour that is not true..and it bothers me that his schedule seems to be vacant after the Japan gigs...and I wonder how many tickets were bought for OK..on the website, it looked like a lot of seats were still available. As much as I want major success for Adam..it will just have to work out in the way and time it happens..I am not a fatalist..what happens, happens..

Anonymous said...

stupid jealous ai whoever change thier mind not to pick adam- i already predict this ai goes down the tube ; ull watch.-no adma lambert no ai-ai just lik cnn news goes down the tube;cnn news has to resign.or he resignted already.
p;s ill watch x-facor instead

Anonymous said...

Dont like obama adm anymore-look at what happen to our country 35,000,000 million americans jobless additional 500 thousand jobless everythign goes down the tube.p;s obama august born 1961-birhtyear ox year born another ox year born sadam hussien and hitler-similarity the way they run the country. Roney march born-1947;birthyear same sign ;reagan and romeny(birthyear traits same(chiense anuimal zodiac sign) american ditn know this before u choose ur candiate study thier birhtyear sign.
adam lambert-aqaurian born like reagan same animal zodiac sign; aqaurian born ;; but adams bithyear d-year born-loyal friendlsy -leadership/ he sa magic and a perfct almsot perfect attittude.next tiem we pick a usa candidate exactly like adam lambert good attittude.
p;s obama give to charity-1%romeny give to charity 4million dollars.

Anonymous said...

I really think Idol will have a Whole new panel of judges. If they want to compete with the judges on the voice, Randy has to go. Adam would bring some needed balance to panel with the aging diva and country guy he would represent the more youthful pop side of the industry. Also being an alum of the show allows Idol to highlight its main strength against the other singing shows namely that it has really found legitimate stars. All the women are out because of Mariah so that leaves Daughtry, Cook and Adam. Of these, Adam is the most interesting and has the most innate star power IMO. I think with Randy off the panel Adam still has a chance. One more thought, the folks at Idol know what a pleasure Adam is to work this so this could help.

Anonymous said...

Still waiting to See Adam Lambert perform on Conan???
Conan's in LA so I wonder why not?
Will be great to see Adam on big screen singing from his latest album:)
Will be very very very happy!
Anyone knows how to get Adam on Conan?
thkssssssssss

Leilani Aloha said...

Totally agree with DRG!!!

Adam's big time is coming & if not with AI, so be it
Things happen for areason, there's something BIG out there for our Adam Lambert, yes Class & Sass:):):)

Anonymous said...

Read on AO that the OK show is really almost sold out. The only tickets still available are way in the back. Heard that Kelly Clarkson and the Fray together didn't sell out completely either. They are selling multiple tickets for the price of one for Adam, but they did that for Kelly/Fray show, too. I'm not dissing Kelly at all. She's got a BIG following. I'm just saying that we shouldn't wring our hands as if this show hasn't sold well. It has. It will be a great show. Can't wait to see the videos.

If AI thinks it needs a country music judge, then they should hire one and get it over with. God knows, country has had it's share of winners on the show. (or at least country types, if not hard-core country.) Adam WOULD be a great balance between Mariah and a country judge, but I don't think it will happen. Unless all this "silence" on the subject from Adam means something. No, no, no! I'm not going there!

DRG

Anonymous said...

Its, not it's. I DO know my grammar. Sloppy proof-reading sometimes.
DRG

Anonymous said...

I think Idol will announce the other two judges at the same time why we don't hear any news yet nor denial. I trust whatever happens, it is GOD's plan and it is the best for ADAM.

Anonymous said...

I also heard they may have 4 judges. It could be Mariah, Randy, Brad, and Adam. I think Randy staying is part of Mariah being on the panel. He is her manager you know.
That was probably one of the conditions to her signing.

Anonymous said...

Yes, and I've heard that the 4th judge is going to be the robot that challenged the winners of Jeopardy. Also speculation that Liza Minnelli is a possible as well as Danny Devito and Peter O'Toole. Sarah Palin has expressed an interest in being on the panel so that shoots down any chance Adam might be her seat mate.
But, you know how rumours spread!
=&=

Anonymous said...

The only thing I like about Mariah is her husband, Nick Cannon. He's the host on America's Got Talent and he cracks me up.

Mariah signing for AI is a win win for Randy because he gets a % of all her $ having anything to do with music. Way to up your income, Randy.

Adamluv said...

OMG she's back . . . . @3:46 with her anti Obama crap. She was first in love with Rick Perry and now Rommey. Just go away.

Anonymous said...

JAK YAY for you. You will enjoy the new bonus tracks for sure.I think everyone is falling in love with MAP.

Anonymous said...

Fuck Seacrest! Even on Olympic Games interviews he mentions Justin B name! I would like to know how much money Beibs agents paid for this!

Anonymous said...

@6:17 lol yeah fuck Seacrest!

Anonymous said...

@ 3:46 pm._______Listen nincompoop,
Obama's net worth is aprox. 10 million and Romney's is in excess of 230 million(and that's only the money we know about). If you don't know what you are talking about, don't talk. By the way, Obama's money is in United States Treasury bonds and United States Treasury notes. Where in the hell is Romneys? He's not too willing to share his information.

Anonymous said...

obama kenya born?- no good for the country-obama is no bill clinton usa ruined by obama disarray-dont want to vote for obama anymore no more democrat he emsmerize american people; a smooth talker non doer; he ebat the white humna beong big ego obama and has a big head-he feels surperior.omg kenya-black guy feel sutperior towrds the white people like us.not very good guy-a bully one.he help kenya-clombia-brazil mexico. but no help this country;he hates america?he has a muslim blood.trillion dolars defficit omg; very extravagant-from the tax payers money.spent million of dolars him and his wife vacation in saina nd hawaiia ndetc.now u know what type of man is obama.and more. dont like sadm hussien and hitler type runing ths country.

Anonymous said...

and furthermore, if the damn republican House Of Rep. would pass Obama's Jobs Bill there would be a lot of people put back to work.
Why won't they? Cause they don't want to give up the Bush tax cuts for the rich!
I think our political system was doomed by the Supreme Court.
Money talks, just buy the Presidents from now on.

Anonymous said...

and furthermore, you're nuts!

Anonymous said...

This thread is completely polluted, who is this person? =&=

Anonymous said...

Oh boy will be glad when November comes and goes.

Anonymous said...

yup it's my sister and Father. They have followed me here with their constant arguing. blah blah blah CNN Blah blah blah Fox

Anonymous said...

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!

WHAT IS HAPPENING???? ARE WE INVADED BY REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HERE????

This is Adams site for the fans around the world:)))

We don't like to read about your politicians agenda:))


SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!


Canadian

Anonymous said...

@ Canadian Sorry, but our politics spill over. People are sniping at each other and it's a tense time here in US. Our Congress has been at a standstill and nothing is getting done because the whole emphasis is get the black guy out of office.

Anonymous said...

Jordin Sparks thinks Adam would make a great Idol judge. Here's the link ...........

http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/video/jordin-sparks-changes-at-american-353080

daydreamin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

9:44 no reason for them to spill out on an Adam Lambert fan site. There has to be one million political sites to bicker on. You guys ease on down the road please.Your comments are inappropriate here.

Anonymous said...

Well 8:37 sing off Adam 24 7 when you are finished so that your dad and sister have to post somewhere else. 'Til November anyway.

Anonymous said...

This is an ADAM site and not a political site BUT, just for the record do the Romney bashers know that he gave away his inheritance when he married and he and his wife were missionaries and started with nothing. And he took no salary when he was governor or ran the Olympics. Can't get all your news from the networks or CNN.

Now back to Adam.....

Anonymous said...

It'S OK @8:53 I live overseas and Mitt Romney drives me nuts. He has lost UK friends for sure, and how can the Winter Utah Olympics compare to what we're seeing in London! Plus, and Adam related at last, he should be appearing with QUEEN at the finale. Rumor is Jessie J will sing with them for one song. Adams free at that time and so who knows.

Anonymous said...

Great interview. Adam is the most talented entertainer to come along in a long time. I should know I'm at the 70yr. mark. His openess is refreshing and I so enjoy his performances.

Anonymous said...

@7:07AM
"Plus, and Adam related at last, he should be appearing with QUEEN at the finale." Just what do you mean? it's rather vague. Don't get it.

Jessie J IS singing with Queen at the Olympics finale, not a rumor.
ADAM cannot because he is American and not British.

Anonymous said...

@ 6:20 a.m. OT

Ann Romney was never a missionary and by the time Mitt's father died and left him funds, he was already wealthy and gave the money to Brigham Young University, he was extremely wealthy by the time he was governor and when he ran the Olympics. Can't get all your news from FOX!

Anonymous said...

@6:40pm, I never said he wasn't wealthy. He did earn it, therefore choosing to give away his inheritance.

Anonymous said...

All media TV, radio and print are controlled by the same One Worlder group that controls the world's money. ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN etc are all under one controller.

This is one of the DECEPTIONS being played out, as if there are opposing camps. If one knows this, one will see the news in a different light. We are all being toyed around.

Anonymous said...

Not true!

Anonymous said...

@7:38 pm You notice I did agree with the part of your statement that was correct. He did give money to BYU.

Anonymous said...

@ 11;16 PM The conspiracy theorists have arrived. Just what we need.

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