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 Turk

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

I don't see the big deal. I followed Freddie Mercury and Queen for years, and Adam has the IT that Freddie had. As a 56 year old male I truly enjoyed the production, and look forward to many more from Adam. Lighten up folks

By WhatEver

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

An Inspiration?? Are you kidding me? A role model? No Way! Adam is not a good singer,dancer,inspiration,role model or anything else that I've seen. If this is how he getting attention, I wish he would crawl under the rock from which he slithered out of. Keep your theatrics for people who WANT to see them. I hope he goes away as quickly as he came out of the closet...

By Melinda

I loved him on AI, but his act now is beyond disturbing. It's a shame that pushing the envelope is the only way some of these people can get attention now in this media frenetic world. It's time to slow things down and appreciate raw talent without the raunch.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Disturbing....Perfect 1 word description...

By Joe Savage

I have spent my entire musical career Entertaining people. I have made use of every unique and unusual theatrical trick ever conceived, but Lambert's performance was demeaning and atrocious. The song was sub-standard; his over the top approach appeared desperate; he screamed his way through the performance and his 15 minutes of fame was over in 3 minutes. He revealed his tragic flaw which is the downfall of every heroic figure: EGO.

By pam

well this makes me very happy he didn't win idol..what a trashy and raunchy act..this is sure something i wouldn't want to see or dang sure wouldn't want children to see..he didn't help the gays atall with this act.

By MAC

U R AN IGNORANT ASS, TO WISH SOMEBODY A PAINFUL LINGERING DEATH IS BEYAOND THE PALE.

By pinata

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"he" was the runner-up not the winner of AI...who cares about this homosexual ?

By Lo

gifted vocals? sounded like a bunch of screaming to me. the guy needs all that over the top crap 'cause he just ain't that talented.

By jlbloco

I would hate to see what he would do on tour. straight orals being performed with out a female in sight...yukk!! & to think that they gave janet jackson such a hard time & this freak wants to get butt fuc*ed & swallowed on stage.

By Paul

Adam, your a fag. That means you fu-ck guys up the ass. I could care less about you and your boyfriends. Actually, hey, practice safe sex, and go fu-ck yourself

By johnny lariosa

what class, that is why i hate reading these blogs, so many ignorant people out there.

By Jennifer

Adam is one of the most talented singers I have ever heard. His over the top performance on AMA will likely cause him to lose a significant part of his fan base. Don't know why he felt like he had to put on a raunchy show like that in his first performance. Bummer. That said, I'll still buy his music and see him in concert.

By frank

the state of music today is sad at best...these acts aren't musicians, they're products of the industry and when the industry stops making money on them they'll be dropped...does anybody seriously think in 10 years you're going to remember or care who adam lambert was? can anyone say hanson? lol

By Diana

Adam did push his limits way too far. It was if he was fighting for gay rights. His ego messed him up big time. He was suppose to sing, he really just put on a show. If he was trying to get everyone to see just how gay he is, we all already knew that. But he just had to push it to the limit. He didnt sing, he screamed, anyone can do that. Bye adam, you just ruined any kind of singing job you would ever wish for.

By wolf87111

what a bunch of homophobic people. i for one hope Adam doesnt tone his act down. for far too long there has been a double standard. anyone remember Madonnas 'Justify My Love' video or her 'Sex' book ??
The only reason all of you are so up in arms about Adams AMA performance is because he is gay. grow up. as far as little kids seeing his performance - i suppose you would rather let them watch someone kill somebody. yeah, thats much more acceptable and appropriate, isnt it ?

Homophobic~No....... Wierdophobic~Yes!

By diana

He is no Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood is he! I think he is going to fail! his voice is not much, at least thats the impression that he give me, during that Ingnorant performance!

By jo

I am from the original generation of Queen and Led Zeppelin. I also watched Adam Lambert rise to fame through American Idol. I believe he's got the talent and the vocals to be a superstar. Like he said countless times, I don't want to be known for being the gay guy but the talented guy. And for that I had great respect because it's the music and the entertainment. When I saw him and the suit and the act and heard that awful song I realized the world would view him as a freak show-I am liberal minded but I turned away thinking why did he do this to himself? Hope he gets some new direction cause as it stands, his fame will diminish and that would be a shame.

By John

I am sick of having gay shoved at me. Get up and sing if you can but keep your sex choice out of it.

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