Adam Lambert: I'm a 'Role Model' or a 'Nightmare'

By Steve Baltin Posted Nov 25th 2009 08:04AM

Even before his 'American Music Awards' performance became the most talked about musical TV appearance since a certain singer (cough cough Janet Jackson) flashed America during the Super Bowl, Adam Lambert knew that his brazen style and love of theatrics was going to be polarizing. "If you are in the public eye and you are a certain type of persona, you're putting certain ideas out there you're bound to have people look up to them. You're also bound to have people who completely reject them and hate you for it," Lambert told Popeater exclusively when we visited him in the L.A. offices of his management team, 19 Management. "I could be somebody's role model, but on the flip side I could be somebody's worst nightmare at the same time. You never know how you're going to affect people, being in this position." More Role Model Talk After the Jump!

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Adam Lambert Pics

Adam Lambert belts out a note during his now infamous American Music Awards performance. Click to See More Pics of the glam ex-'Idol' >>>

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Adam Lambert Snapshots

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 Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (17058325), contact WireImage.com

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Adam Lambert, left, performs during the closing act of the 37th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

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Singer Adam Lambert performs onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 American Music Awards - Roaming Inside Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, California United States November 22, 2009 Photo by Jeff Kravitz/AMA2009/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58990938), contact FilmMagic.com

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For Lambert, as an openly gay pop idol, he is also aware that just as there people who are going to form very strong opinions about him, he will be a source of inspiration to others looking for the courage to express themselves. In short he will be a role model as he says. To him that's both inspiring and odd.

"The role model thing is interesting, it's kind of like a catch 22," he says. "Part of me is like, 'That's flattering.' And if I'm helping people find truth in their lives or lead lives are more open themselves, if they feel that they also want to be comfortable in their skin, than that's great. If I can inspire that I'm thrilled."

At the same time he also wants people to know he's not openly trying to be a mentor or icon.

"But, I'm also a musician. I'm not standing here trying to show anybody how to live their lives or what the best way is or how to fix themselves, necessarily," he says. "I'm just offering my opinion. If that make me a role model, indirectly then so be it, that's great, but I don't want to take on that responsibility. I'm just trying to put on a show."

And Lambert promises when he gets on the road 'For Your Entertainment,' he's not going to tone down. He is looking to put the show back into concerts. "I want some production values, I want there to be stuff to look at, and I want costumes, dancers, if I can get it. That's my dream," he says.

Who does he look to for inspiration as performers? "Back in the 70's you had acts like Queens, a showman that really controlled the stage and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin is someone who really worked the stage. There are people like that that I look to for stage presence and how to command," he says. "As for production values you look at later, people like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna big pop acts that put on spectacles and brought theatricality into pop music. Somewhat marrying the two of those things is kind of a dream of mine. It's that rock command meets a theatrical stage show."

Can't get enough Lambert? Watch as BestWeekEver.tv Managing Editor (and PopEater pal) Michelle Collins talks AMAs with Adam ... and shares a martini. Check It Out!

Tags: adam lambert, AdamLambert, amas, american idol, American music awards, AmericanIdol, AmericanMusicAwards

Comments

(427)

Wednesday 25 November

By John

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I totally agree. There is a double standard here

I totally agree. There is a double standard here.

Saturday 28 November

By Anna

Adam lambert has so much talent. He dont need this kind of poblicity. He has to bring his act togheter and grow up and act . He is gay keep it to himself and sing.....

Sunday 29 November

By Jaime

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Wow! I don't think I have every seen so many homophobic hypocrits in one place. Where was all of your preaching when the female performers got up on stage and did practically the same damn things. Let it be people, and stop playing the "God" card. It. Was. A. Performance. He didn't do it in a church. If it wasn't your cup of tea then you had every right to change the channel. Personally, I admire him for doing his thing and being himself. I have more respect for him for doing that than I do for any of you up on your soap boxes preaching "God's word." What about tolerance and loving thy neighbor or are you only selective in what you take away from your religious propaganda?

By Jodi

It's a shame. Adam is an incredibly talented young man, who didn't need to throw S&M raunchiness in the face of the viewers. Bless us with you gifted vocals, Adam, but leave the S&M for the soft porn industry.

By Suzie

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Yeah, he's a musician alright. He plays the skin flute.

By Patrick

THIS IS A RESPONSE TO DANG.....WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU????GAY PEOPLE SHOULD ALL BE KILLED????WHAT ARE YOU AN EFFING MORON????

By Leah

He is a freak show....he has to reley on gimmicks and shock because his lack of talent. No one will remember his name in the near future.....his kind are a dime a dozen.

By Kitty

I totally agree with you. I never liked him on Idol-if you did not watch his perfomance and just listened from the other room, you would NOT be impressed. He's not musical, he sang OFF KEY most of the time and he relied on his pushing of the envelope to get the attention of the audience. I would hardly think of any of them being a role model, but an awards show whould NOT have to contain an act that many would find objectionable esp if the singer is singing badly OFF KEY

By cflotsofluck

To Leah.........I suggest you have your ears checked!! Adam has a voice of SOLID GOLD!! That's why he came in "SECOND" on American Idol. He certainly didn't get that far, because he SUCKED!! His voice will bring him to a level of stardom, dispite your idiotic opinion about his so called LACK OF TALENT!! In fact, for as many people that DON'T like him, there are FAR MORE people that do like him!! His voice, is going to make him more money, than you'll ever see in 10 lifetimes!! ADAM LAMBERT ROCKS!!!

By Hunt IT down

I agree with Leah, only he won't make that much money. And yes, he DOES suck, and he admits it. He'll get some HIV soon if he hasn't already and move on with the Queen queer. Role model for satanic crap is all he is, nothing more.

By Lindsay

To cflotsofluck: Are you kidding me? That is the most brainwashed reply I have ever seen. His voice is awful. He has no ability to do anything but stick his tongue out and scream. No pitch control, no singing talent, no musicality. Period. He came in second on AI because of his disgusting flaunting of his character, NOT because of talent. Let me assure you, you are in the minority because you like him, not the majority. He will not be successful because he is an embarrassment!!! His Good Morning America performance just got CANCELLED! You are an idiot.

By no thanks

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Back into the closet, you little freak.

By lee

I totally agree!!!!!!

By Tori

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Are you people KIDDING ME? Hes a human being just like every one of us. I will say that he went too far with his actions on the AMA's and should have thought about his choices before he made them, but calling him a "queer" and putting down Freddie Mercury is just ridiculous. Freddie was an AMAZING artist and so is Adam Lambert. Who cares if they are gay? Thats how they are and they can't change it. Stop being ignorant and open your eyes, this world is changing and no matter how much you fight it, its going to happen. I say GO ADAM for standing up for yourself and not being afraid to be ho you are (just make it a bit more PG-13 next time.)

By GayPhobia

I don't believe in "Gay Rights" I ONLY "Human Rights" Gay people should live the same way single couple lives! No where in the bible stated Marriage is between a man and a man! (*rolling eyes*) What Adam did is Sick and demonic! You can look at him, he worship the devil!! He dress like satan! He's apparently, telling the world Gay people are devils! Some examples he is giving about Gay people!

Listen to Rosie D. She understands the mind of a sick people because she IS Sick herself!

By dolphinia

Sorry Adam, your ego got in the way....

By Agatha

Agree with you dolphinia.....Adam definitely went over the top. He was, and is still, my favorite American Idol performer and voted for him constantly during the finals. Seeing that on television was an eye-opener because I did not think he ever flaunted his sexuality; one part of him I respected.

By lildoxielvr1

I agree. I find it interesting that during the AI show, he wasn't openly gay until pictures of him and another man were leaked on YouTube. All the little teen girls were lala over him, and he was apparently all good with his fame as a teen idol. Once it was public that he is gay, only then does he decide to be honest. He's using his sexual orientation as a publicity stunt.

By bev

Lambert is no where near Zepplin or Queen.First of all he lacks talent and vocals.Pleas get a grip on yourself.
He would fair better in a circus, he handled that leash pretty well.(perhaps a lion trainer)

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