03/11/2009
Adam Lambert and Breaking Down Idol's Closet Doors
It was rumored yesterday that Idol contestant Adam Lambert, whose "flamboyant" past was spread across the blogs last week, would choose a Michael Jackson song that played off the speculation behind the images of him kissing other men:
"There's been some joking on various websites that this year's most flamboyant front-runner, Adam Lambert, will perform Jackson's early '90s hit 'In the Closet' as a response to recently leaked photographs of him kissing a man and dressed in glamour-queen drag. Jackson released the song just when his astounding musical charisma began to strain under the weight of his eccentricities."
The L.A. Times yesterday said it's long overdue for American Idol's closet door to fly open, and speculated about what other closets might fly open on the show this year:
"Idol's closet contains much more than sexuality, though. It includes language differences, religious affiliation and its contestants' complex family lives. The daring Lambert might break down the wall of homophobia this season, but it's just as likely one of the show's several Christian worship leaders, including Lambert's main male rival Danny Gokey, will push the producers to let fundamentalist Christianity out of the box in which it's not very well contained."
That said, Lambert and Gokey both positioned themselves as frontrunners last night. My vote's for the former. His performance of "Black or White" AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 8:34 AM EST by Andy Towle in Adam Lambert, American Idol, Music, News | Permalink
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He's talented but I am not really digging the chunky baby diva in demi-drag persona. that will wear thin quickly. He looks too much like he is desperately trying to channel Sharon Osbourne, albeit successfully. He reminds me of a Navajo drag queen in El Paso in the eraly '80s that went by the stage name "Fiesta" and promised to give everyone a happy ending.
Posted by: rudy | Mar 11, 2009 8:26:53 AM
u go boi. that was great. all props 2 u.
Posted by: nic | Mar 11, 2009 8:40:27 AM
Wow... 18 seconds and into it and I'm over it. Thank the maker for a [STOP] button.
Two words: Bloated schlock.
This reminds me of some of the worst, okay, of ANY Bravo network reality television show.
I find I am reading books a lot. Books are interesting. Books are entertaining.
Posted by: Rad | Mar 11, 2009 9:09:58 AM
I feel so bad for those fundamentalist Christians having to hide in the closet. It must be hard for them.
Posted by: crispy | Mar 11, 2009 9:24:59 AM
He looks way older than 26.
Posted by: anon | Mar 11, 2009 9:30:12 AM
He's got tons of charisma and a fantastically over the top voice that he's in complete control of. Even Simon--not known for encouraging the gay boys--had to concede Adam's got it going on. The judges weren't loving Megan last night, but I thought she was brilliantly goofy. (Even if she is from Utah.) I'm not sure what combo Paula was on, but she was a puddle of Paulaness, which is my favorite mode for Paula. One of the better AIs I've seen.
Re: books. Yep, I love them, too, read them for work every day, but I also love cheesy reality programming, go figure.
Posted by: Ernie | Mar 11, 2009 9:50:24 AM
He's good..
Really liking anoop or matt this year too
Posted by: Daveynyc | Mar 11, 2009 10:05:24 AM
I just lost interest in Danny Hokey. Fundamentalists are hypocrites.
Posted by: DJ Slipside | Mar 11, 2009 10:20:27 AM
3 Adam gay kiss pics summed up on 1 site
http://famewatcher.com/2009/03/adam-lamberts-gay-kiss-of-day.html
He seems to be kissing the same guy in each so not a loose slut. LOL
Anyway; I haven't watched idol since Melinda Dolittle was ROBBED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I better start watching it again. first i better go you tube some clips to hear him sing.
Good luck Adam
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Mar 11, 2009 10:43:36 AM
I like Kris Allen :-)
Posted by: Brent | Mar 11, 2009 11:46:21 AM
Interesting. Good for him for choosing Black or White. A lot more subtle than "in the closet" but the message is the same. Much smarter choice...it addresses the issue without being overt or salacious.
On the other hand, I don't understand everyone's passion for him. I even re-watched the performance to see if I missed something. When I watch him and hear him sing, I always think he is channeling Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. That's perfect in its place, but I don't understand it otherwise.
Posted by: adamf | Mar 11, 2009 12:22:33 PM
ok you tubed him a bit
sooooo, mmmm he sings better than me, but that isn't saying much. mmmmmm good for him on being on idol and being gay BUT hmmmmmmmmmm
No Chris Daughtry talent wise, and Melinda Dolittle was wrongfuly dissed I tell ya. she was far better than anyone that season
:-)
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Mar 11, 2009 12:38:54 PM
He is good, Like the charisma he exudes. He needs to reel in that voice a bit. He has a great range, but like David Archuleta, may not have enough verstility to keep fans locked. Melinda Doolittle was robbed, and Daughtry is a tool, a whitewashed version or a real rock star.
Posted by: JT | Mar 11, 2009 1:30:07 PM
I watched the whole show live last night, as I have all seven seasons prior, and with AI in it's eighth season now, I can honestly say with some authority, nobody has EVER been as amazing as Adam was last night. Loved Kelly Clarkson, Loved Carrie Underwood's Alone, thought Tamayra Gray should have been bigger, and Melinda Doolittle was at the top of her game too, but none of those performances were even close to Adam's last night. He is a true performer. Sure, that screeching he does is getting a little tired, but overall he gives me goosebumps. I hope he totally wins it this year, and I hope that adorable but Khristian Kris does well too, but Danny is starting to work my nerves. Lil Rounds? Eh, she's pretty good. Go Adam! You are incredible!
Posted by: JRP | Mar 11, 2009 2:11:48 PM
Adam - Sam Harris called - he wants his voice back......
Posted by: Terry Jones | Mar 11, 2009 2:39:00 PM
Danny's best friend...the one who did not get into the Top 36 hung out at the Abbey in LA the night he was eliminated. Just sayin...
Posted by: Manny | Mar 11, 2009 4:17:57 PM
RUDY: THAT was the best comment of the day!
I like him but I'm crazy for Anoop.
Is Sanjaya Gay yet? I REALLY liked him.
Hmm, do I have a "thing" for the South Asian boys?
Yup!
Posted by: Derek Washington | Mar 11, 2009 8:14:03 PM
Yes Melinda Doolittle, great name because she has done "little" since losing AI. Get over it. How many years has it been?
Posted by: Mike | Mar 11, 2009 11:23:25 PM
I am completely obsessed with this kid. The look, the clothes, the sexy little smirk, the Axl Rose meets Freddie Mercury meets Patti LaBelle schtick. He's a fierce, wicked talent. I sooooo hope he plays his cards right, remains demure and pleasant, and just sails to the finish. This, like Melinda, is a contestant you can really root for. (For the last 2 years all I see online is how Melinda was robbed, I never see anything about Jordin Sparks or Blake).
Interesting how everyone is jumping on the gay bandwagon, and he hasn't said a word about it. It's the age of the internet, ain't it? Just forget having any secrets.
Posted by: jim | Mar 12, 2009 3:08:25 AM
This story was picked up by the gay Russian site gay.ru -- which cites towleroad!
http://www.gay.ru/news/rainbow/2009/03/12-14978.htm
Posted by: KevinVT | Mar 12, 2009 6:59:03 PM
I am hetro female and no tweenie. I find Adam the most exciting performer Idol has had to watch. He is the reason I tune in now. I can't imagine that everyone won't be seduced into acting like Paula before long. I think it is his obvious intelligence and irony that really got me. I appreciate a man who knows what he is doing.
Posted by: greta | Mar 14, 2009 9:51:47 AM
What a bunch of caddy bitches. Adam is talented and attractive. Stop the hating.
Posted by: Lisa | Mar 20, 2009 3:08:35 PM
Lisa-girl, lighten up. Aren't we alllowed to give opinions anymore without being labeled "haters"? It's a singing competition, we're not going to all agree. And that's CATTY, I've never carried golf clubs.
Adam is so-so in my book. Too campy for me, I like my guy singers a bit lower key than this and I mean that both ways.
Posted by: johnny | Mar 26, 2009 7:51:43 AM