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

Jeff Kravitz/AMA2009/FilmMagic.com

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 jmj

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Be specific--what women have done worse things? (On Network television) I know of some who have pushed the envelope but can't imagine anything worse than what I saw on the AMAs. Next will be the actual sex act on stage. I can't imagine that is very far off..

By e.c

this guy is a filthy pig, and deserves our contempt...gay people should stand up in outrage,this guy is the reason people will never accept the agenda. gays have just been set back 20 years in their fight for equality!!

By Gail

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

All you poor, uptight morons with your behinds in a ringer should relax....Adam is an immensely talented young man, more power to him. Y'all are probably the type to jump on the book burning bandwagon.

By Judy

Vote down Vote up Report this

To yapien. I have no idea what you are talking about.

By Tina

For those of you that think Adam has no vocal talent you need to get your hearing aids tested. The freak show that he put on the other night did him no favors. He is brand new and has already turned off alot of the fan base he had from AI. I have no problem with him being gay but I don't want to have it shoved in my face every time he takes the stage.

By hhs7575

Adam Lambert is a FREAK and should be treated as such! Would you want him around your children or little brother?

By barbara

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

You're right it would be better for kids to see old ladies like Janet Jackson and Madonna grabbing their crotches and bumping and grinding!Or Eminem and other rappers lyrics so dirty they must be bleaped.Now those are role models.Oh forgot to mention Brittany Spears -role model sumpreme! The man makes one mistake and hes condemmed.

By B.K.

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

How could Adam Lambert top himself after that "performace", oh, yeah...he could eat feces. He is fit for one thing only...the gay porno industry. He'll end up like Rock Hudson...good riddance to bad rubbish. I hope the FCC hits ABC with a million dollar fine, then ABC can sue Lambert.

By sharon

ADAM ADAM ADAM!!! YOU WERE DOIN GOOD UNTIL THIS. YES YOUR A GREAT PREFORMER, BUT THE PERSONALS OF YOUR LIFE NOBODY WANTS OR NEEDS TO KNOW. IT MAKES YOU LOOK DESPERATE AS IF YOU NEED THE PUBLICITY. IF YOU HAVE THE TALENT YES FLAUNT IT AND GO OUT THERE AND GIVE US WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR. BUT SHOWING US WHO YOU ARE BEHIND CLOSE DOORS IS REALLY NOT NECESSARY. AND IF YOUR SO MUCH INTO GETTIN YOUR CARRER ON THE ROAD, YOU PICKED A BAD WAY TO START. IM NOT SAYING YOUR SEX PREFERANCE WOULD STOP ME FROM LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC, IF THAT WAS THE CASE I THINK WE WOULDNT LISTEN TO MUSIC AT ALL, YOUR NOT THE FIRST, AND WONT BE THE LAST. BUT HAVE RESPECT FOR YOURSELF, YOU DONT NEED TO FLAUNT IT!!!! AND NO ITS NOT CUZ YOUR GAY. WETHER YOU GAY, LESBO, STRAIGHT, ETC... KEEP YOUR PERSONALS BEHIND CLOSE DOORS. THATS CALLED RESPECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER. JUST GIVE THE VIEWERS WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR, AND THATS YOUR MUSIC AND TALENT. GOOD LUCK ADAM, I THINK YOUR GONNA NEED IT AFTER THIS.

By Jeremy Atwood

If its not about his being gay...and you don't mind his sexuality.....why would you care about this possible act of ludeness ....and I am not saying it is...Madonna did her SEX book back in the early/mid 90s didnt really get that.....but I love her still.....she's amazing....support him all the way or don't...

By carol

I'm surprise that the AMA allowed you to perform that way. It was not very classy at all. You need to take yourself and your act into the prono scene.

By lakerman

Adam........You appear to think you are bigger than life. You have talent. There is no denying that. Your private life (sexuality) should be kept exactly that. Private!! You will only be as successful as your audience allows you to be. So far you are off to a terrible start. I am not a prude; but your awards show performance was disgusting. Trash like that can end a career before it even gets off the ground. Too bad young man........too bad!!!

By Joyce

Madonna far and a way makes him look tame. Need I remind you all of her Truth or Dare stage? She has been setting the pop world on its ear for decades. They are bashing him pretty hard because he's male and he's gay. There are a lot more female performers who are just as bad, but because it's being "sexy" no one gets their panties in a twist over it.

By Liz

OK, folks. Let's face it. Adam's management team got what they wanted. He's getting MORE publicity than he ever would have without the crotch pull, etc. He WANTED to make a sensation so he could get the attention. Remember... there is no BAD publicity... just spell my name right!

By Rich

The writer of this article should take a writing course.

By gijoe30

Wow, people posting these ultra negative crap need to stop drinking the hatorade. I think its funny that out of everyone that performed that night, his is the only one people are talking about. He manipulated the idiots and they fell for it lol!!!!

By david

This is the worse thing I've seen on TV or in a movie. He seems to think he is big enough to get away with anything. Give him some big fines from the FCC and refuse to have him on the talk shows. He should be black listed.

By leehoward

FaaaaaaaaaaG!

By johnny lariosa

how do you spell assssssshoooole.

By kdog

There are so many other talented people who aren't parading around on the gay stage with S&M boys that aren't even getting a chance to sing in front of those who could help their careers. American Idol should be so proud of themselves for promoting this sort of trash into our environment. Sleezy, unenjoyable, screechy, untalented, disrespectful and uncalled for. This is why gay people have a bad wrap. They don't all act this way, but thanks to his disgusting display of QUEER I am sure that opinion is changing. People...please don't honor his lack of talent with your musical dollars. SOOOOO not worth it.

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