Adam Lambert, News and Discussion

Celebrity Gossip

Hello fellow Adam fans. Here is a place to post links and talk about Season 8's most lively and talked about contestant. To start out, I placed a link above which looked like Adam out on a date with his boyfriend Drake. I wish them both happiness and success as Adam begins his post-Idol career.

Here is:Adamofficial.com

There are threads on the board where you can find statistics on the AI downloads and recent television/radio appearances.

Any figure skating fans out there?

Icenetwork tells us that Adam recorded I Just Love You, the Five for Fighting song, as music for Nick LaRoche to skate to.

You can go to Icenetwork and register and see the video -- nice video, beautiful skating routine, and nice audio of the song. (It seems as if you have to pay them to see it, but apparently you can just register as a guest and see the video.) Very good video and audio quality. Very pretty, audially and visually. (Kind of amusing Adam photo attached to the story, too.)

Icenetwork -- Nick LaRoche skates to Adam L singing I Just Love You

This post has been edited by applesauce on Jun 4 2009, 07:48 PM

This is going to be an interesting journey for Adam. I hope he is allowed to be open and be himself 100% of the way. So many artists sacrificed who they were, but our society is reaching a tipping point about sexual orientation. If he can be a successful and mainstream Gay artist then that is a gigantic leap forward for the LGBT community. Especially if they see Adam embraced for who he is openly in his music as the public will hopefully buy his album.

I think it's going to happen.

I'm absolutely certain that he's not going to be anybody else but himself. Maybe he won't go into full Zodiac mode constantly, but nevertheless, he seems pretty set on being himself.

And I'm quite sure people are going to buy his songs and his show tickets. The Nation has run an article about his "fabulousness," for heaven's sake. If they're fan-boy and -girling at The Nation, then a pretty fierce fandom has taken hold, I'd say.

I know AI has been a little split on the "letting him be himself" thing, especially if the not-talking stuff went very far. But on the other hand, they clearly were fine with him wearing the big-zipper jeans and the cat-o-nine tails key chain and singing *my" change is gonna come and Beth with the eyebrow raise on "me and the boys'll be playing all night." So they didn't exactly stifle him as I feared they would. I have a hard time seeing the record company reining him in very much, actually.

If they do, I'll be pretty depressed.

This post has been edited by applesauce on Jun 5 2009, 01:52 PM

I wish him a great carrier. Elliott is for me still the best male vocalist I can think of but Adam is fantastic too.

Maybe if Adam is a commercial success on his own terms as a Gay singer American Idol will finally rid itself fully of homophobia. Adam's presence on the show definitely improved visibility for LGBT artists. There certainly seemed to be a lot less homphobic banter between Ryan and Simon this year. My main criticism, however, is that we only just learned Adam has had a steady boyfriend who actually was in the audience a few times. Why couldn't American Idol have featured Drake in one of those pre-performance videos? Kris at least had his wife mentioned in one of them and made it clear he was in a relationship. Why have a Gay contestant on the show if they can't change lyrics of songs to fit their orientation or have their partner featured? I guess I'm fed up with the double standards which give favoritism to the lives and identity of Heterosexual contestants while Gay contestants are shoved into the closet. It's not fair nor balanced by Fox's self-identification.

BTW, Adam's Mom let the proverbial cat out of the bag in one of the interviews. When a reporter asked her about her Son's sexuality she said something to the effect that the show didn't want them talking about it. This essentially confirms what I thought all along that the show had Adam and his family obligated to not say anything probably until at least till after the show was over. That would explain the upcoming Rolling Stone cover. My main concern is that Adam be given what every Gay artist in the mainstream had been denied: the chance to record music that reflects who he genuinely is on ALL levels as a human being including his Gayness. When he records a love song, the lyrics should reflect the man he is in love with. An artist is only as impactful as she or he is true to his or herself. So, hopefully Adam will have the personal and artistic freedom to develop as a vocalist.

I found this funny interpretation of the final: What the Buck

Warning: Some suggestive language

I want him ultimately to make no compromises either.

This is a first album and, as I'm sure they remind them all, a first album by a talent-show contestant, so I'm sure he'll have to be compromising this first time out -- but I'm also sure that he'll get gender-neutral lyrics and will fight for as much more as he can get!

The thing is, they're going to say -- and correctly, to some extent, I guess -- that he needs to grab as big an audience as he can this time. So I'm expecting gender-neutral stuff on album one .... and then when he gets established -- and I'm optimistically sure he will! -- whatever the heck Adam wants. Which I wold guess ultimately might be some combination of gender neutral and full-on guy-on-guy..... You know -- enough of everything to continue fueling *everybody*'s fantasies. He's an actor and entertainer, first, after all. Lots of room for fluid genders in live shows and videos, as well!

You see, Applesauce, that gets to the heart about what I was writing about this entire season in the AI8 thread. Adam should not have to dilute the lyrics of his writing to be neutral or pretending to be Straight. This sounds like Etheridge all over again. Again, this goes to the heart of the fact that the United States as a collective does not like and actively discriminates against Gay people. Even in the darn music industry! UGH! It's infuriating to think that in 2009 that for as much as we have changed we haven't really much at all. You know, I remember hearing about how Elvis was given songs originally written or to be sang by Black artists. I guess in Adam's case, he will have to sing songs meant to reflect his orientation that instead paint a false image of him.

If he is Bisexual, then fine, but if not he shouldn't have to pretend for the sake of women who find him attractive. I know you like and support him and Gay rights when I think is awesome. But really, this amounts to turning him into someone he is not just so that he can have a long term career. Blah. Just more BS that proves that this country is no where near as free or just as it thinks it is.

Yeah, I understand that!

But this is a commercial enterprise. And if he sang all his love songs explicitly to a *he*, then his album wouldn't allow dreaming except by gay guys, and so it simply wouldn't work as a pop album, which requires everybody to be able to dream into it a little bit.

I think Adam wants to entertain everybody and sell lots of albums, and you've only got about 10 percent of the population or less who are going to get off on songs that are explictly he-on-he. That's an unfortunate demographic fact, but there it is. A totally he-on-he record wouldn't even do much for a lot of the LGBT community, because it wouldn't allow most lesbians to dream in, or even several of my friends who happen to be drag queens -- *they* want the "she" or gender neutrality also!

For the first album, I'm expecting all direct I-love-you-you're-my-lover stuff to be largely gender neutral, with spelled-out references to homosexuality included in less straight-on romance-oriented lyrics. And then in subsequent albums when he gets more control -- either because he's already been a big hit or because he's gone to an indie label to be more of a niche artist -- I expect the romantic stuff to mix "he" stuff and gender-neutral stuff. This will be his first album. They will make him compromise on *everything* because they're timid. But it also dos seem clear that they *are* going to promote him as an out-gay person in real life, and I think that's at least a promising first step.

To clarify, I don't think he will *ever* sing a love song of any kind to a "she" -- unless he plays a straight guy in a play at some point -- but I do think that this first album will have the love songs mainly gender-neutral -- and that they will get beyond this in album number two -- and also when he sings live -- because he'll push them to.

Commercial reality versus what would be the politically strongest and probably the right thing to do is always going to be a tough line for Adam to walk, but at least he's going to get to do it! I understand your frustration that things aren't going to move faster -- but I'm convinced they *are* going to move... And once it starts, maybe it'll go faster than I think it will, right now!

Actually, I think that recording some gender-neutral love songs *is* being true to himself, as long as he fully expresses himself on stage and in an out life, and such. He is a gay man. But he's also an entertainer who hopes to entertain everybody. And that means that you have to give everybody a *little* bit to fantasize about. He's got a fluid, omnipresent sexuality that he plays with all the time, so I don't really see a little gender neutral as that big a compromise as long as he doesn't actually have to hide who he is in any way. YMMV, of course!

This post has been edited by applesauce on Jun 7 2009, 07:14 PM

On that note (okay not really, but I want to post this pic and I need an excuse), I post over at ontd_ai (which is Adam and Kris (and Kradam) central but I'll warn you now, not always work-safe) and I can't get over this picture from the Young Hollywood Awards


Adam with the Director of Twilight. I'm sure the fans are opening photoshop as we speak.

I'm digging the hair from the side. The front view is an acquired taste, lol. On an totally off topic note, my younger sister came back from college with basically the same exact faux-hawkish hairdo, plus a sparkly tunic and gold lame leggings and my mom almost had a heart attack. She doesn't watch AI regularly so I don't have to worry about her seeing Adam and getting ideas but his style is right up her alley, heh.

This post has been edited by Lene on Jun 8 2009, 06:44 AM

On that note (okay not really, but I want to post this pic and I need an excuse), I post over at ontd_ai (which is Adam and Kris (and Kradam) central but I'll warn you now, not always work-safe) and I can't get over this picture from the Young Hollywood Awards


Adam with the Director of Twilight. I'm sure the fans are opening photoshop as we speak.

I'm digging the hair from the side. The front view is an acquired taste, lol. On an totally off topic note, my younger sister came back from college with basically the same exact faux-hawkish hairdo, plus a sparkly tunic and gold lame leggings and my mom almost had a heart attack. She doesn't watch AI regularly so I don't have to worry about her seeing Adam and getting ideas but his style is right up her alley, heh.

Adam's Twilight fandom at work, I guess. That's pretty funny -- some photographer asked for it, I'd guess. Hardwick looks just a tad uncomfortable to me! Adam's got the vampire attitude down pretty well, though, looks like.



And the faux-hawk returns, coupled with gold lame this time. -- That's like -- the 70s meets the 80s, with a sprinkle of ... something else, isn't it? I read somewhere that Adam wanted gold for the sleeves (or some part, anyway) of the Beth costume, but the costume people told him that would be too tacky and to go with all black. Much better choice. Maybe your mom can call the costume guys and they can have a talk with your sister!

He did have those gold and purple sparkly handcuffs on him though IIRC. I guess they figured moderation was good (if you can call handcuffs as accessory moderate).

Adam's signing press release:

[/QUOTE] (Los Angeles, CA – June 9, 2009) – American Idol season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert has been signed to 19 Recordings and licensed to RCA Records. He is preparing to start work on his debut album which is due for release in fall 2009.

“To find a talent as exceptional as Adam Lambert is a rare and special event,” says Simon Fuller, Creator and Executive Producer of American Idol and Founder & CEO of 19 Entertainment. “I am thrilled that American Idol was the platform for the world to discover this brilliant young man. He is unique and unforgettable and a certain star of tomorrow.”

“There are no longer any rules in terms of where the world’s next superstars may come from,” says Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO RCA/JIVE Label Group. “We are thrilled to be getting involved with Adam Lambert as we all at RCA Records believe he is one of those rare, future global stars”.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve come to a creative and collaborative partnership and look forward to developing a really exciting album,” says Lambert. “We are 100% on the same page and are all anxiously awaiting the start of the recordings. It’s going to be ridiculous! Get Ready!!!” [QUOTE]


They like him, they really like him.

Adam's signing press release:

[/QUOTE] (Los Angeles, CA – June 9, 2009) – American Idol season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert has been signed to 19 Recordings and licensed to RCA Records. He is preparing to start work on his debut album which is due for release in fall 2009.

“To find a talent as exceptional as Adam Lambert is a rare and special event,” says Simon Fuller, Creator and Executive Producer of American Idol and Founder & CEO of 19 Entertainment. “I am thrilled that American Idol was the platform for the world to discover this brilliant young man. He is unique and unforgettable and a certain star of tomorrow.”

“There are no longer any rules in terms of where the world’s next superstars may come from,” says Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO RCA/JIVE Label Group. “We are thrilled to be getting involved with Adam Lambert as we all at RCA Records believe he is one of those rare, future global stars”.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve come to a creative and collaborative partnership and look forward to developing a really exciting album,” says Lambert. “We are 100% on the same page and are all anxiously awaiting the start of the recordings. It’s going to be ridiculous! Get Ready!!!” [QUOTE]


They like him, they really like him.



We've got Kris and Adam. Now I guess we should be hearing about Allison soon, since she's reportedly already signed as well. Yay for my little rocker girl! Kradison really did come out the winner, looks like.

This post has been edited by applesauce on Jun 9 2009, 08:09 AM

"I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear I'm gay"

*Preview of Rolling Stone cover inside

*Some choice quotes (lol):

"When Idol producers put him in a room to share with Allen, Lambert says his first thought was, "They put me with the cute guy. Distracting! He's the one guy I found attractive in the whole group on the show: nice, nonchalant, pretty and totally my type — except that he has a wife. I mean he's open-minded and liberal, but he's definitely 100% straight."" LMAO!

"Clay Aiken's gay, and I'm gay, and we couldn't be more different. The only thing that is the same about everyone in the gay community is that we're gay. ... Why can't we talk about a human community?""

"I've been living in Los Angeles for eight years as a gay man. I've been at clubs drunk making out with somebody in the corner.""

Come on, SMR: You have to admit that this sounds like a guy who's going to fight to express *himself* in music, and that's going to include both directly gay themes and broader things that express the whole range of humanity and human sexuality, because that's what he's about (*not* Adam ever singing love songs to a "she," except perhaps in a play -- but gender-neutral-sounding things). There's the other quote that I read, too -- something about women and "just because I'm not sticking it in there, doesn't mean I don't think it's beautiful." .... Adam's a very sexual and very spiritual being, and I know he's going to try his darnedest to express it all through his entertainment career.

And I'm sure it was no accident that the gushing press release came out just before the RS article leaked. They are behind him. Now, as time goes on, there will be fights, and they'll be scared about how much it means that they've opted to be behind him -- but we're off to a very good start here, if you ask me.

Here's hoping!

The part that really affected me the most was when he was talking about his parents reaction to it. I mean you'd think that parents would love their children no matter what, but reality that's not always the case. To read about his mom and him talking about boyfriends like just amazing.

The cover could not get any more suggestive. I'm surprised they didn't stick an apple in his mouth. LOL.

I'm tempted to buy the article, but I'm broke. So I will just enjoy the massive internet freakout that's going on.

Even if I didn't prefer Adam musically, I still think what he means to the music world right now and idol is really important. And yes it is necessary. I know that in ideal world it wouldn't be necessary, but in this society, ignorance does not equal acceptance. So I'm glad that people now have to deal with it, hard as it may be for everyone involved.

This post has been edited by Lene on Jun 9 2009, 12:28 PM

Great points, Lene.

Sorry you're broke -- but you'll probably end up getting to see most of it on the web somewhere anyway; plus, a lot of people will try to buy it but won't get to the store on time, in many locations, I expect!

The part about his parents really is very moving, isn't it?

Applesauce: I certainly hope so! It is shocking to me that AI is letting him be so open and honest about his feelings. They seemed to exert a great deal of control over that aspect, but it appears they've had a change of heart. All I can say is that is incredible for Adam. He deserves whatever success he gets on his own talent and as his full self- no less. Maybe my cynicism is wrong about this and they will give him some semblance of personal control over how he is marketed and they will let him be himself. If they do, they have just put a crack into a major barrier against LGBT artists that has perisisted for years. Plus, this will have a socializing impact that is positive for the community collectively. He said he doesn't want to be considered a leader in the movement, but he may end up being one without him even realizing it! I never underestimate the power of education through visibility. I wonder if he comprehends the power he wields as one of the first openly Gay from the start, major, and mainstream artists in U.S. history.......no pressure, eh Adam? LOL

Lene: Yeah, that was a great part of the article. Speaking of that issue, I wanted to share this link with you all: LGBTQ Youth Statistics. Is this not disturbing at the least and a social problem of discrimination at its worst? You can note the high suicide, homelesness, and violence against young people who identify as LGBTQ. The problem is two fold with a large number of people who aren't educated on these issues and then those who are that allow their bigotry to keep them willfully ignorant. The laws against us all across this country from the states to the federal are no less the political equivalent of the immense discrimination and prejudice which continues to harm LGBT people across the lifespan. We will only start to see social policies changed to reflect equality and respect when the majority of society actually treats us equally and respectfully. Yes, things are changing for the better, but it is still not so great out there for LGBT people.

This post has been edited by SoulMusicRocks on Jun 9 2009, 02:56 PM

http://www.popeater.com/music/article/adam...-hes-gay/520000

I think there's a little more info in this link. I love his honesty and frankness as well as his beautiful voice and adonis looks! I'll get to hear him live in one month and cannot wait!

I think that a lot of people in the entertainment industry are hoping that a dam is breaking with your generation. Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Tonys and Adam in this cover story in the same week. I think a lot of people are hoping that maybe the new generation is going to push for and ultimately live the dream. Harris is living it already, I'd say -- out for pretty much his whole adulthood and now playing an aggressively heterosexual guy on a popular network tv show. And I would bet that Jann Wenner, at least, is hoping that Adam gets to live out a similar dream in the music world.

I know we're still talking about pretty sheltered communities here that are different from much of the rest of the society. But sometimes artists lead the way. I hope that's true in this case!

And, yeah, the statistics on youth are awful. Extremely sad. Every time I do a story on a troubling social issue, I figure the chances are huge that gay, lesbian, and especially would-be-transgendered kids are going to be a tragic part of it. Did a story last year on prostitution and heard many horrible stories about kids who've been pushed out of their family homes because their sexuality and what happens to them on the streets is brutal. Just finished a story on depression and suicide -- same thing. Awful. Visibility can only help.

Thanks for the great link, Elliottisastar!

This post has been edited by applesauce on Jun 9 2009, 06:00 PM

You're welcome applesauce!

I love him in the video! Wish I could make it full screen. I see that the snake is REAL in the video and on his thigh in the cover photo!

http://www.rollingstone.com/videos/player/28566086

Speaking of that, did you watch the Tony's? Adam could have outsang Constant whatever his name is from "Rock of Ages". Although, he didn't sound too bad. My favorite performance of the night was when they did the song "Hair" from the musical surprisingly called "Hair". I remember hearing about it before that the cast is literally nude by the end of the production (hey, it's a musical about hippies and free love was the best love in the 60's). They didn't do that on the Tony's though. But yeah, Neil Patrick Harris did a great job as the host. I think it's the law for Gay people to watch the Tony's every year.

Hopefully this change really is gonna come. He has so much talent and is a unique spirit. It would be an injustice to not permit him to grow as an artist on his own terms. Plus, if he is successful as an out Gay man post-Idol, maybe that will be the incentive for AI to be more inclusive, open, and respectful towards any contestants who might be LGBT. They recently had a Transgender woman on the Real World. I never thought in a million years that I'd be saying MTV of all networks was a progressive, educational, and forward thinking network which portrayed diversity respectfully. My generation has grown up with more LGBT characters on TV and film (Jack from 'Dawsons Creek' and Starina and Armond from 'The Birdcage' LOL). So, as people realize we are diverse yet wonderful people, hopefully bridges of understanding will be built and things will get better in the laws and social situations.

Ok, 1st off, it irritates me that his sexuality is even questioned. What the sam hell does it matter if he is homo or heterosexual...does it affect the way he sings? NO! None of anybody's dayum business, but apparently that doesn't matter anymore.

Secondly, well DUH!! It shouldn't have been a shock to anyone that he was gay. He wasn't trying to hide who he was.

Thirdly, his mom is one awesome woman & I am so happy she accepted her beautiful boy for who HE is & not what society dictates he 'should' be.

Finally, this quote from the article cracked me the hell up...
"I loved it this season when girls went crazy for me. As far as I'm concerned, it's all hot. Just because I'm not sticking it in there doesn't mean that I don't find it beautiful," Hey, at least he speaks how he feels. Nothin wishy washy here folks!

Thank you for the awesome links, Elliottisastar.

It's going to be a lot of fun to follow Adam's career! His music will be rockin' with some electro dance club pop too, I'm sure.

Actually, RM, I think his orientation matters but not in a negative manner. It's more that what matters is that he is able to be who he is out loud. Instead of the vague ambiguity of past LGBT singers from Freddy Mercury to Melissa Etheridge. It was not until later in their careers that they fully embraced who they were. If anything, RM, this is a big deal in a positive manner because it is about being a positive role model for LGBT people. If Adam can be embraced by the American public as a singer and Gay person, other Gay people will say to themselves, "Hey, I can be a major singer too. I can run for Congress and etc". For some people this will be a bad thing and they will shut themselves off from this talent because he his Gay, but I think that group is slowly becoming less and less. For lack of a better phrase, remember when African Americans could dance along with White people on those 60's shows? Well.....a modern equivalent for Gay artists could be on the horizon and it is a majorly positive social change in terms of basic respect.

As for the quote you found funny, I can respect his opinion there LOL. Enrique Iglesias (a Straight Latino Pop singer) has many times addressed his Gay fans in a positive way. In fact, at one concert, he supposedly had a Gay guy come up on the stage as it was his birthday and he put his arms around him and sang to him haha. I think that people who are comfortable with their sexuality whether Gay, Straight, or Bisexual don't mind that. It's an acknowledgement of the diversity of your fans and is a kind gesture to know you are appreciate. So, it can go both ways! LOL

I just got back from Barnes and Noble Bookstore after checking to see if the issue of Rolling Stone with Adam on the cover was in yet. I found a June 11th edition but it wasn't Adam, but one of his favorite singers (according to his American Idol profile) - Lady Gaga!! LOL!! I like her songs too! Guess I'll have to wait for the Adam edition - maybe it's the July issue.

Yeah, I understand that!

But this is a commercial enterprise. And if he sang all his love songs explicitly to a *he*, then his album wouldn't allow dreaming except by gay guys, and so it simply wouldn't work as a pop album, which requires everybody to be able to dream into it a little bit.

I think Adam wants to entertain everybody and sell lots of albums, and you've only got about 10 percent of the population or less who are going to get off on songs that are explictly he-on-he. That's an unfortunate demographic fact, but there it is. A totally he-on-he record wouldn't even do much for a lot of the LGBT community, because it wouldn't allow most lesbians to dream in, or even several of my friends who happen to be drag queens -- *they* want the "she" or gender neutrality also!

For the first album, I'm expecting all direct I-love-you-you're-my-lover stuff to be largely gender neutral, with spelled-out references to homosexuality included in less straight-on romance-oriented lyrics. And then in subsequent albums when he gets more control -- either because he's already been a big hit or because he's gone to an indie label to be more of a niche artist -- I expect the romantic stuff to mix "he" stuff and gender-neutral stuff. This will be his first album. They will make him compromise on *everything* because they're timid. But it also dos seem clear that they *are* going to promote him as an out-gay person in real life, and I think that's at least a promising first step.

To clarify, I don't think he will *ever* sing a love song of any kind to a "she" -- unless he plays a straight guy in a play at some point -- but I do think that this first album will have the love songs mainly gender-neutral -- and that they will get beyond this in album number two -- and also when he sings live -- because he'll push them to.

Commercial reality versus what would be the politically strongest and probably the right thing to do is always going to be a tough line for Adam to walk, but at least he's going to get to do it! I understand your frustration that things aren't going to move faster -- but I'm convinced they *are* going to move... And once it starts, maybe it'll go faster than I think it will, right now!

Actually, I think that recording some gender-neutral love songs *is* being true to himself, as long as he fully expresses himself on stage and in an out life, and such. He is a gay man. But he's also an entertainer who hopes to entertain everybody. And that means that you have to give everybody a *little* bit to fantasize about. He's got a fluid, omnipresent sexuality that he plays with all the time, so I don't really see a little gender neutral as that big a compromise as long as he doesn't actually have to hide who he is in any way. YMMV, of course!

Since I'm old enough to know the original song, I noticed that the words were changed when Adam sang "Tracks of My Tears".

The original words were:
"Since you left me,
if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one"

Adam sang:
"Since you left me,
if you see me with somebody else
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although they might be cute
There's just no substitute
Cause you're the only permanent one"

The words flowed well, sounded great and kept everyone's fantasy intact IMO!

I think it is this week's edition, actually. But they don't usually get put out until at least Wednesday, and more likely Thursday. Lady Gaga was two weeks ago, but they haven't taken her off the shelves yet -- some will today, though, probably. ...


The scans work much much better on Firefox than on Internet Explorer, by the way.

RS Article: Slow-loading scans here, if anybody's interested:

Gossip Candy RS scans

This post has been edited by applesauce on Jun 10 2009, 07:51 AM