For the first time ever, I actually care about 'American Idol.' I've watched on and off over the past 8 years, but I've never dedicated my schedule and my fingers to voting for a single contestant or considered shelling out a high price for a ticket to the tour this summer.
Never until Adam Lambert.
Adam Lambert on American Idol'
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** Contestant Adam Lambert is seen backstage at the American Idol Season 8 Top 4 Elimination Show on May 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by M Becker/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert
Getty Images for Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Adam Lambert performs. Airs Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Fox
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 05: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** (L-R) Contestants Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta live on the American Idol Season 8 Top 4 Performance Show on May 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by R Mickshaw/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert;Allison Iraheta
Getty Images for Fox
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 05: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** Contestant Adam Lambert performs live on the American Idol Season 8 Top 4 Performance Show on May 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by R Mickshaw/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert
Getty Images for Fox
In this photo provided by FOX, Adam Lambert performs in front of the judges on American Idol on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/FOX, Frank Micelotta) ** NO SALES **
AP
Adam Lambert, one of the top four finalists of the television show "American Idol," poses at the BritWeek 2009 party in Los Angeles in this April 23, 2009 file photograph. With three weeks to go before the "American Idol" final, Lambert, 27, is favored to win the No. 1 U.S. television talent show and become, possibly, the first gay or bisexual singer to be handed the "Idol" title by millions of Americans. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/Files (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)
REUTERS
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Matt Giraud (L) is eliminated. Also pictured: Adam Lambert. Airs Wednesday, April 28, 2009.
Fox
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** Contestant Adam Lambert is seen backstage on the American Idol Season 8 Top 5 Elimination Show on April 29, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by M Becker/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert
Getty Images for Fox
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** (L-R) Judge Kara DioGuardi and contestants Adam Lambert and Kris Allen are seen in the audience on the American Idol Season 8 Top 5 Elimination Show on April 29, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by F Micelotta/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Kara DioGuardi;Adam Lambert;Kris Allen
Getty Images for Fox
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 28: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** Contestant Adam Lambert is seen backstage on the American Idol Season 8 Top 5 Performance Show on April 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by M Becker/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert
Getty Images for Fox
(Note that I say queer, not gay, since Adam hasn't officially commented about his sexuality)
That doesn't mean I don't get a lot of flack from my coworkers and around the Internet about my feelings. The first category of complaints about Adam, the "His voice isn't that great." / "He has a great voice, but why does he do weird stuff with it?" camp, is the easiest one to shoot down. Adam is leaps and bounds above most of the competition in vocal talent. He has control and range -- simply a killer set of pipes.
Why does Adam choose to stretch and make his performance stand out from the other contenders? Because he can! Believe me, if the other contenders could do it you can be sure they would be.
My immediate response to Adam making someone uncomfortable is: Good! Since when has art been about making people comfortable? I know there's an argument that 'American Idol' is not art, but it doesn't mean it has to be the same year after year. An 'Idol' should stand out and be a unique artist.
And anyway, why do boys have to act a certain way or risk the lame dig that they're not "real men?" What if a female 'Idol' contestant never wore dresses -- would she be bad or would she be a feminist?
For me, Adam is the complete package. I love his vocals and his presence on stage, but I also love that for the first time we have a chance at an actually queer 'American Idol.' When pictures of Adam kissing his a man surfaced on the internet, he didn't quit or back away from them. Instead, he said, "I have nothing to hide, I am who I am, I've never been shy about anything." And everyone from fans to blogs to the New York Times and Entertainment Weekly has been discussing Adam's sexuality, and whether an openly gay contestant could win 'American Idol' -- and it still hasn't hurt his chances of winning.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Adam has had formal training..no wonder he does well. I believe American Idol should be for contestents who would never have had a shot at stardom. Where is his progress as an entertainer throughout this show? He is the same as he was the first day he appeared. What has he learned?
carrie- allison had training too she was on a different show which was kinda like american idol. and besides they all have to train before they hit the stage i mean cmon who is autimatically gifted?
I find Adam and his constant screaming week after week very annoying. I have watched, perplexed each week as yet another talented person was sent home while Adam was kept?!
I only hope that the people out there voting come out from under this seemingly "Adam haze" and realize where the true talent lies before it is too late!
"For the first time ever, I actually care about 'American Idol.' I've watched on and off over the past 8 years, but I've never dedicated my schedule and my fingers to voting for a single contestant or considered shelling out a high price for a ticket to the tour this summer. "
Rae, never until David Cook...was how millions of us felt last year.
Oh my gosh, i am just not digging on Adam. The producers highlight him, let him go last week after week, because he is the favorite. He demolished that U2 song, what a crime...if I heard him on the radio, I would change the station immediatly...he is a rocker chic, but Alison was a better rocker chic.
I like Danny or Kris either one better than him.
Some of my favorite singers of all time are gay, so his sexuality has nothing to do with it...I love Elton John, Freddie Mercury...I just don't like Adam.
It makes me sick to hear anti-gay messages about a very talented singer. What is wrong with people. I don't care what these kids are,other than being a criminal! Get real, we are voting on the best talent for this contest. Give Adam a break. He is fantastic, next to Led Zep. My vote is always the best talent, black or whatever. GROW UP and stop being so fuul of hate !!!
ADAM!!!! Must sing Nirvana/The Man who sold the World!!!!! That would do it!!!!!
Who are the three dumb butts on the aol podcast.
They are a horrible three to be cretiquing the singers on Idol. These three would not know talent if it bit them in the azz. Get them off
and put someone on who knows something about music and talent and personalities. Just go away.( susan and woo, woo who???? they know nothing.
I am not a racist person - just a good catholic
god created adam and eve in the garden of eden - not adam and adam
I am surprised that the producers of American Idol are allowing this to go on !!!
This isnt church and no one should be casting any stones, this is a talent show and if it offends you dont watch it.