Adam Lambert's AMAs Performance Draws 1,500 Complaints

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 24th 2009 06:22AM

Complaints poured in Monday about Adam Lambert's sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards, including criticism of his kiss with a male keyboard player that was left out of rehearsals for the show. ABC did not expect one of Lambert's dancers to stick his face in the singer's crotch during the S&M-themed performance of 'For Your Entertainment,' a moment that was cut out when the awards show was broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on the West Coast on Sunday.

"A lot of what I do is kind of freestyle," Lambert told The Associated Press last week about the routine's choreography. "That's how it was on 'Idol.' That's how I perform. I like to have a framework, and just do stuff. So that kind of came about because of the connection that I had with that dancer."

During a rehearsal last week that an AP reporter attended, Lambert thrust a male dancer's face toward his crotch, though the dancer did not get as close to Lambert in the rehearsal as he did on Sunday night. At one point during rehearsals, Lambert also caressed a male dancer's upside-down face, but he kept his hands off the dancer's cheeks Sunday night.

Both hostile and supportive comments were posted online about the "American Idol" glam rocker's performance. While prowling an elaborate set during the number, Lambert also fondled one dancer and briefly led two dancers around on a leash.

It followed the song's lyrical theme in which the singer warned, "It's about to get rough for you."

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Adam Lambert Pics

Adam Lambert is seen here belting out a note during his controversial performance at the 2009 American Music Awards. Click to See Pics of Lambert's Gig and Red Carpet Arrival >>>

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Adam Lambert Snapshots

Singer Adam Lambert poses for a portrait following his rehearsal for the 2009 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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Singer Adam Lambert poses for a portrait following his rehearsal for the 2009 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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Singer Adam Lambert arrives at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 American Music Awards - Arrivals Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, California United States November 22, 2009 Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com To license this image (17054545), contact WireImage.com

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Adam Lambert attends the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 American Music Awards - Arrivals Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, California United States November 22, 2009 Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com To license this image (17056225), contact WireImage.com

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Singer Adam Lambert performs onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 American Music Awards - Show Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, California United States November 22, 2009 Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58992587), contact FilmMagic.com

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Singer Adam Lambert arrives at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 American Music Awards - Arrivals Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, California United States November 22, 2009 Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58990853), contact FilmMagic.com

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Singer Adam Lambert arrives for the 2009 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles, California on November 22, 2009. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

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'For Your Entertainment' is the first single from Lambert's new album, which went on sale Monday.

Lambert's kiss recalled the MTV Video Music Awards moment in 2003 when Madonna and Britney Spears briefly locked lips. Lambert, who's openly gay, had even talked before going onstage about pushing the envelope on how provocative male performers could be. He later told CNN that his kiss was "in the moment" and that if people were upset about it, "That's a form of discrimination and it's too bad."

ABC said more than 1,500 people complained, what it termed a "moderate" response, and the Parents Television Council also said it had heard from upset members.

"They're outraged," said Timothy Winters, president of the Parents Television Council. "They just can't believe the nature of the content, the explicit nature, and how much graphic content there was." Winter said it seemed artists who appear on music awards shows are constantly competing to push the envelope. "These programs are wholly unsuitable for children now and it's pathetic, given the amount of economic support that children and teenagers bring to the industry today," he said.

A Boston Globe television critic called the performance "pretty harmless. "It's all posing and mugging and selling, not real honest provocation," Matthew Gilbert wrote on a Globe blog.

Lambert said later, "I had fun, my dancers had fun, the audience that was in the Nokia (Theatre) had fun. Anybody else who was watching it and enjoying it, thank you for being entertained."

In an interview a few days before the performance, Lambert had talked about trying to make a statement with it. "There are a lot of double standards as far as that goes," the singer told the AP. "We've seen female pop and rock performers do that for the last 10 years. They've been very provocative, owning their power and sexuality. You just don't see men doing it very often. And I'm hoping to break down that double standard with this number."

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Comments

(173)

Tuesday 24 November

By Karen

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Adam Lambert's performance was an embarrassment to say the least. I loved watching him perform on American Idol and voted for him many times. I couldn't wait until his CD came out I was going to be the first one to buy it now I won't even ever watch him on TV. It was absolutely disgusting and vulgar and SHAME ON ABC! The whole show was a freak fest!

By Don

I totally agree Karen. Adam's performance was vulgar, disgusting & inappropriate and a number of the other performances were borderline. I also can't believe that the network & the AMA would allow that crap to air. I think Adam just killed any chance he had at being a success. I, for one, will never watch the AMA again. Guess I will stick to the CMA's & CCMA's.

By Barb

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Well, I will not buy Adams CD. With all that talent and confidence he has now arrived at a new low. He was very immature to think he had to put sex into his performance. To think that children and grandmothers and women in there 50's dug this guy. What the heck happened. He is not cool anymore because that crap will not sell music.

By denmiccal

I don't like to see women do this either. Did he ever think about this. This is not a gay issue. This is the fact that is was too sexual. Keep the sex in the bedroom.

By jessieleekk334

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

who cares

i am not fan of his

By functioningsynapses

Yes! I agree. There is a percentage of people who support this type of performance and a percentage who are plain old homophobic/against anything gay.

But I think a huge percentage of people do not see this performance as a "gay issue". It is about sexual displays that are not appropriate for an awards show. It seems that mainstream musicians are dumbing down their trade....it not about musical talent but who can be the most sexually explicit. Shame.

By Doobie

Too sexual? How about "too perverted"? There's a difference between gay and pervert but, then you do have the perverted gays ... one of which Lambert is, evidently. Sickening.

By Rocky Tilson

Im really tired of Homosexuals and other deviants "SLAMMING" their ideas/beleifs on a obviously conservative Christian nation. Adam is a good looking talented man who could do some incredibly good things and yet chooses to spiral downwards and display totally unacceptable behavior to the majority of americans who watch him (over 80% were offended). His selfish behavior of "OH WELL TOO BAD" is so sad. He will be the end of himself sadly.

By ME

The whole program was pretty low class this year.
One performace was bleeped so much you had no idea what the clowns were trying to sing.

By joe

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Yep, that is waht you can expect from queers. They don't care what they do or what you think. They are sad and classless.

By jzy623

I was really looking forward to Adam's performance, but after he started singing, I was disappointed. It had nothing to do with his kiss, although that didn't make it any better. It was at the end of the show, so I just turned off the TV, so I must have missed the crotch show. Sorry Adam, it had nothing to do with your sexual orientation, it was your song.

Wednesday 25 November

By Russell

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It's no surprise that some were upset by Lambert's performance. However, I wonder where these people were when Madonna was trying to fornicate with a crucifix. Virtually all the heavy metal bands treat women as property and sex toys, while rappers discuss parts of the female anatomy vividly in song. Why is there such a double standard? Why is it okay for a metal band to have naked women dancing in cages, or Jay-Z to advocate bringing guns to social and public events? It's amazing that folks will say they were offended by a kiss and a crotch grab. Michael Jackson was grabbing his crotch - and those of other 10 year olds - 25 years ago and no one blinked. I think ABC is fudging the numbers to make controversy.

Don't change your style, Adam. If Madonna can wear a cone bra and hump the stage, you can kiss a boy. Bravo!

By David

Lambert is nothing more than an over-glorified narcissistic pig. His talent is nothing more than screaming. They should use his voice for tornado warnings on tornado alley.

By Jessica

Right ON!!!

By PAUL RUFO

AHHHHHH,
AMERICA GOT UPSET THAT THEY SAY A MAM ON MAN KISS ON TV, LETS BAN IT, BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO BAN KISSING ON TV, WE BAN ALL KISSING ON TV,FROM SOAP OPERAS TO CP SHOWS.

AND AS A KISS GOES, PLEASE, PEOPLE HAVE NO PROBLEM TELLING ME WHILE I'M EATING DINNER, THAT HER FEMALE PARTS ARE ICHY AND SMELLY BECAUSE OF YEAST INFECTION OR SHE IS HAVING A HEAVY FLOW MONTH BUT A GUY CAN'T KISS A GUY.

PEOPLE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS.

By Kelly

If you know people who are telling you that disgusting stuff, especially at dinner, then you know some really classless pigs. Perhaps you should get some new friends.