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

(170)

Tuesday 24 November

By Brandy

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nevermind the dancing, the song was horrible!

By The Punisher

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HE IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY!

LAMBERT IS A DOUCHEBAG!

By PEPPA

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so your saying mj's massaging his crotch was not offensive ?
MORE CHILDREN HAVE SEEN AND EMULATED
MJ's MOVES FOR MORE YEARS THAN I CAN REMEMBER.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS THE POINT HERE ???? DUH ???

By mel

It has nothing to do with his sexuality...he just showed no class and the song stunk - There is a time and place for this trash behavior...maybe during his concerts ..but not on TV . He must have really embarrassed his parents & family. So much talent and now he has so many people associating this type of behavior with being gay - which just isn't the case. My kids (teens) both said "wtf" why do that.......I have to agree with them -

By Anita

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OMG!! All you homophobic haters want to destroy Adam L.'s career over one bad performance! There were just as bad performances throughout the AMAs! Shakira's performance was soft core porn--kept looking for her to bring out the stripdance pole during her number. Jennifer Lopez cavorted around with half naked dudes (and fell on her ass). No one's talking about that! He's doing no more than what's already being done on music videos these days. Give it a rest already!

By Rob

It was a kiss for crying out loud. Its not like he blew him on stage. You see more on gossip girl. Get over it boys kiss boys and girls kiss girls. ask Madonna she will tell you. He did not reenvent the wheel he just kept it turning

By themeeker

Please just ignore this. This is nothing more than a shameless publicity stunt to keep his name relevant. The performance doesn't bother me as much as the manipulation of the public. Just let it go and this will fade away quickly. But there's always the righeous and vocal idiots who play right into the hands of the performers that put these people over the top.

By angela

some of you uneducated homophobes really make me sick...no one seems to be causing such a ruckus about lady gaga's nearly nude outfit, or whtas her names sleazy costume..but heaven forbid a simple kiss take place...what about madonna and brittnay?? geesh people if you are that scared of gay men...why aren't you scared of gay women??or does that turn you on?? seeing two women grind up on each other and kiss is perfectly acceptable??
Double standards rum amok in our country...it was a show...and just remember people..when you watch a show ..you are watching showmen and show women...so yeah get off your high horses and quit fantasizing about what could be....get over your selves!!!

Wednesday 25 November

By marla

seriously angela.....I think it's more in order for YOU to get over youself. Just join the line of low-life immoral perverted skanks like adam. I would bet you have no children of your own. When you DO have a child, please be sure to expose them to this filth and watch what happens to their life and yours. GD left-wing liberal bleeding heart skanks.

By TERI

This has nothing to do with his gender, gay, straight or whatever....The way he performed was a little to raunchy for television....He is an entertainer, but perhaps this kind of "performing" should stay at a club with adults who get into the provacative raunchy moves.....you know when you drink alot and it doesn't matter...LOL

HE'S A GREAT LOOKING KID.
HOWEVER,AFTER REVIEWING SOME OF HIS PICS, I SEE HE HAS SOME FACIAL SKIN ISSUES.
HE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

By Anna

So So disapointed, was waiting for a great song, like the performances on Idol. the song sucked, never minded the rest. What a waste of a geat platform to show case your talent and sell your record. He Blew It... no longer intrested in hearing anymore from Adam Lambert.

By Maggie

I didn't see this show, and now I remember why I quit watching... But as I looked at the pictures I couldn't help but see another picture, that of a man dancing on a pole in the pits of hell... with demons all around, grabbing for him, and he himself trying to reach into the crowds to get more "victims"... SCARY...

By rick

i think it is filthy and for people to approve of something like that knowing they would not want there children to do that is foolish

By Bonbon

Adam just ruined his career before it started, what a moron~

By Marcella

I am a music lover, and I enjoy all kinds of music. I watch all 3 hours of the show and enjoy it very much. I was also looking forward to see Adam Lambert's performance, I think he is talented, I will buy his CD and go to his concert and pay for the best seat. His action does not take away from his musical abilities. I was a fan when he was on AI and I am still a fan. There is no reason to be a hater.

By fran

Why didn't the real winner of American Idol perform? Kris Allen!

By larrendell

Tempest in a teapot! If parents don't already know that the AMAs are not for the faint of heart then they do now. It hasn't been a show for children in years. Adam is Adam. He dances on the edge and I wouldn't have it any other way. He exudes a sort of androgenous raw sexuality and everyone might as well get over it. He's going to be who he is and the AMAs knew the performance would likely get a little off-script...and if they didn't they are living in a dream world.

lauren.....join the many other low-life small minded perverted skanks of the world....right where you belong.
Adam is a vile immoral low-life skank that obviously never got enough attention from the right people.

By Joe

Yes Anna, He likes to blow it....LOL

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