12/01/2009
Adam Lambert Tells Ellen He Didn't Mean to Disrespect Anybody
Adam Lambert appeared on Ellen today and talked about the American Music Awards controversy, saying he might have gone a bit too far:
"I think in hindsight I look back on it and I go ok, maybe that wasn't the best first impression to make again, the first second impression. I mean I had fun up there, I had a good time, my dancers had fun and the band had fun. I respect people and feel like people walked away from that feeling disrespected. I would never intend to disrespect anybody. So that was not my intention."
Said Ellen: "If you're going to be offended by a show of sexuality onstage, then you should be offended by all shows of sexuality."
Watch the interview and performance of "Whatya Want from Me?", AFTER THE JUMP...
In related news, the Lambert performance has caused ABC/Disney to tighten its standards: "Disney/ ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney said that the network will now ask artists for assurances that their stage show will resemble their rehearsals and that ABC will seek contractual obligation to make sure artists stick to those plans."
And, Barbara Walters finds Adam Lambert and Lady Gaga fascinating.
Posted 7:47 PM EST by Andy Towle in Adam Lambert, American Idol, Ellen DeGeneres, News | Permalink
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"I would never intend to disrespect anybody."
Since America's pathetic shame-riddled middle class and Jesus-addled religious bigots consider your very existence to be disrespectful to them, do let us know which you're going to choose: ex-gay, or the closet.
Posted by: Bryan | Dec 1, 2009 8:24:33 PM
Bryan-- if you watch the interview he goes on to say that people expect gay males to be cliche and safe because most of the media portrayals of gays are like that and people freaked out because he was gay and being sexual. He acknowledged that a lot of people weren't use to that.
In a recent interview with logo he also said that people freak out when gay men are sexual but that it wasn't going to stop him.
Of course for his career he will tone it down for a while.
There have already been a few radio stations that have blacklisted him because of the AMA performances.
Posted by: Josh | Dec 1, 2009 8:36:15 PM
Bought the album and I really like it. Stars all makes waves. While I wish his performance had just been... well... better, I can appreciate what he had to say.
Posted by: Rob | Dec 1, 2009 9:35:30 PM
Love him! Love the album! It's rock and roll and that's the way it goes.
Posted by: Bobby | Dec 1, 2009 10:31:34 PM
Thanks to ABC for announcing how much it sucks!
Posted by: Paul R | Dec 1, 2009 10:38:52 PM
I have posted similar comments on other gay blogs and I will repeat it here - if gay men can't get behind a young, exciting, out gay artist and support him as much as we support divas like Kathy Griffin, Cher, Bette Midler and so on, we're screwed. Adam Lambert, whether or not you like his music, is a phenomenon, a phenomenally talented and OUT artist at the beginning of his career who has the potential to cross over and be as big as Madonna. Everyone in show business knows it. Only some bitchy queens who don't like his hair, eyeliner or whatever don't. Who needs the religious right to destroy us, when we have each other?
So what if he screwed up? By any standards, his AMA performance was a mess, but it was one hot mess. Adam was essentially saying - fuck you, I'm gay and hot and I'll push a man's face in my crotch and kiss another man in front of America if I feel like it. If gay men continue to demand exacting standards about how other gays should look, dress and behave, they're no better that Republican fascists. I have truly been aghast by some of the nasty comments I have read posted by gay men about him.
No wonder we don't have our rights. All we care about are hot guys with great bodies who look straight.
Posted by: Jim | Dec 1, 2009 11:07:59 PM
Thank you, Jim!!!
Posted by: phredd | Dec 2, 2009 12:11:28 AM
No Jim, you are not alone, I totally support Adam!
Posted by: Critifur | Dec 2, 2009 12:18:51 AM
@Bryan:
There's a difference between him existing and disrespecting them in that, and in him going overboard with his first performance. Plus, his performance was different than what had been rehearsed, from what I've read and heard; that's where the disrespect lies. The fact that he's gay and out has nothing to do with it.
Posted by: Yuki | Dec 2, 2009 12:36:45 AM
I support Adam Lambert as a talented young gay performer, however, I thought his latest performance was weak and gimmicky. In the past I've been quite moved by his performances, but this one was awful. It seemed like he wanted his 'break out' performance with non-stop racy moments to create a stir so people would talk about him. But the performance seemed all schtick and no substance. It fell flat.
It annoys me that people are pointing to his audience and saying the public thought it was too gay or sexual. His performance is being panned because it was bad. People have been watching racy gay things on television at least since Ellen and Will & Grace. Ellen got panned when she came out while Will & Grace did well. Ellen's show wasn't funny after she came out. The Will and Grace show was funny and people watched it.
Maybe Mr. Lambert should mull over the weakness of his actual performance that night rather than point to the impression made on a public supposedly scandalized by their own prudery.
Posted by: SFNathan | Dec 2, 2009 1:03:35 AM
U.S. television is in the dark ages. Apparently these puritans have never been to Italy, home of the Vatican (I think they would have a coronary) or Europe. They show nudity on their TV (BBC America puritanizes their programming for U.S. viewership). While some say that European television is government run and/or that viewers must pay a license fee to watch, we have the FCC (government control) and a vast majority of Americans subscribe (pay) to a cable or satellite service.
While Mr. Lambert's performance might be scrutinized for taste, it wouldn't have caused a stir in Europe. Actually, they are probably still laughing at us because of the uproar over a fraction of a second tit shot from Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl.
Need to change "land of the free and home of the brave" to land of GOD and home of the puritans!
Posted by: CB | Dec 2, 2009 2:54:46 AM
He was coming off like an arrogant dick, with the "Why should I say sorry?" and "I'm not a babysitter." I'm sure his label told him to tone it down.
Also, in related news, he launched a new single this week (or was it last week?) since his first one fell flat on its crotch-humping face and no one on radio was playing it. Hopefully, the new one goes well because the super bestest Idol evah! may be going into the new year with two flop singles and a ticking clock attached to his career.
Posted by: Glenn | Dec 2, 2009 3:13:26 AM
So Jim, because I'm gay, I support Cher, Bette Midler and Kathy Griffin, as well as any other gay artists? And I should support Adam Lambert because he's gay, too?
I think Adam is really talented. I don't think he's the second coming of Freddie Mercury or Jesus or whomever he's been painted as. He's got a great voice but I think he tries way too hard. And I think that's what happened on the AMAs. He thought he could shock people and when his performance fell flat for other reasons too (like it wasn't that good), many got up in arms because of his sexuality. So first he was cocky about it, then he said he did it because he used to be fat, and now he's contrite. Whatever.
I agree that Adam's openness about his sexuality is great. But using his sexuality as an excuse for bad judgment doesn't fly with me.
Posted by: Larry | Dec 2, 2009 8:03:34 AM
I'm glad he's taking the attitude he has. He has no reason to apologize. He's right that a performance is simply a matter of taste. Just because some born again right wingers didn't like it doesn't mean that it was wrong. I personally LOVED that the kissed a guy on stage and I'm sure a lot of other people did as well. The only reason you don't hear from us is because we watched it and enjoyed it and went on our merry way because there was nothing to blow a fit about.
I love that he's sticking to his guns. I hope every bigot out there gets it right in the eye every time he says he doesn't feel a need to apologize. He has no reason to cater to some idiot fringes extreme sensitivities. I'm so glad he's doing it that I went out and bought his CD even though I don't necessarily like his music. I like him and I want to support him.
Posted by: MT | Dec 2, 2009 8:35:59 AM
What Do You Want From Me? So much more than the title of a song for this poor guy. We are tearing him apart, all he wants is to entertain - you can see it all over his face, he just wants to please people.
Posted by: wtdp | Dec 2, 2009 8:41:49 AM
Hey Towleroad!
You guys loaded the same video twice, spacing out Adam Lambert's performance of "Whata Ya Want From Me." Until Andy fixes it, readers can see the video on my website-- http://bit.ly/8Ccyz3 -- and also check out the Hunky Santas and an Adam Lambert-Susan Boyle duet! Long live artistic freedom and Adam Lambert!
Posted by: Gale Chester Whittington | Dec 2, 2009 9:29:30 AM
SFNathan, just for the record, the AMAs was not Glamberace's "latest performance." He's performed like 4 or 5 times since then. And all of those performances were more subdued and moving like his American Idol performances. In fact, his new song "Whataya Want From Me?" now has a poignant message since he's in a novel position where he's trying to answer to so many groups.
OMG, I sound like a total fangirl!
Posted by: crispy | Dec 2, 2009 9:37:31 AM
Stop apologizing. You're an artist. Stick by your choices. People like people who take a stand...
Posted by: MrAiredale | Dec 2, 2009 9:41:00 AM
I 100% support Adam. He is carrying the weight of the gay community and trying to start of career being OUT and being himself. He is navigating this rocky terrain with great style and of course some bumps. Adam is highly charismatic and his voice is mesmerizing and these are a perfect contrast to his very articulate, honest, and yet unfiltered verbal self confidence. Adam is fascinating!! People can't help but notice him. I believe Adam is having a very positive impact on the conversation around gays in the country because people are waking up and on the music industry - because he is that good!!
Posted by: Jason | Dec 2, 2009 11:42:06 AM
@ MrAiredale: Adam has not once apologized!! He is simply taking ownership of the fallout and saying he wants the focus to be on the music, not the drama. Adam is doing a great job navigating the waters of a new, dynamic career. I repect him for doing it so honestly and so warmly. He has fans in every demographic and that makes it tough to keep everyone happy. Someone is always grumping. I think Adam Rocks!!
Posted by: Jenn | Dec 2, 2009 11:47:21 AM
@Larry: No Adam did not say he did it because he was fat. That was a media lie!! Check out what he really said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV3aeQkSXGE. to paraphrase Adam was asked if he was ever fat and said yes and it had its issues until he learned his beauty and confidence comes from the inside, out. It sucks when people by into the media lies and repeat them. This interview had 3 parts and it was excellent.
Posted by: Jenn | Dec 2, 2009 11:56:37 AM
@ Yuki: Disrespectful? Really? I don't see that at all. I find that term is used too many times in the wrong context. Over the top, yes, but disrespectful? I didn't see him humping a cross or saying hateful things or gestures at anyone, like some other artists out there. Please, girlfriend!
Posted by: Joel | Dec 2, 2009 12:32:40 PM
@Bryan: You wrote:"Since America's pathetic shame-riddled middle class and Jesus-addled religious bigots consider your very existence to be disrespectful to them, do let us know which you're going to choose: ex-gay, or the closet."
Those aren't really the choices since the people you mention would rather we just all die.
Posted by: Chuck | Dec 2, 2009 12:59:17 PM
he could have gotten away with kissing the keyist. he probably could have gotten away with the groping act, though that was maybe a bit overboard for prime-time tv. the simulated oral? not so much. remember, janet jackson hit a brick wall after her "wardrobe malfunction" a few years back, and that entire performance, while sexually-charged, was purely heterosexual...and a split-second tit is certainly far less impacting than simulated oral sex on the minds of young children. the fallout from lambert's performance is not due to his personal homosexuality. it is not even due to what he did -- the questions of *when* and in front of *whom* are what betray his extremely poor judgment. recall that the butthole surfers have been implicated in actual unsimulated sex during stage acts in the past -- they're straight, and the sex was straight, but you think they could have fucked silly on prime-time tv? the cliched admonition "get over yourselves" comes to mind.
gay folks need to close down the pity party and realise that it is *not* acceptable for ANYONE, gay or not, to simulate oral sex in front of young children, and if a gay man feels the need to "express his individuality" by shoving someone's face in his crotch on a television show that will be watched by thousands of children, then maybe that gay man needs to reinvent himself.
there's a reason that people stereotype us as sex-obsessed, self-absorbed degenerates. there is a time and place for sucking dick, and it happens to *not* be in front of children. stop feeding the stereotype.
Posted by: pH | Dec 2, 2009 5:19:37 PM
I completely disagree with this "in front of the children" argument. Your kids are going to see kissing of whatever sexual orientation eventually, and at that time you'll have to explain it to them anyway.
If people want to shelter their kids, keep them locked in a closet. They aren't anyone else's responsibility. You decided to have them, not my problem.
If your a gay couple or a strait couple; I have some advice.
Want safe tv for your kids? Stick to the Disney channel.
Posted by: Erik | Dec 2, 2009 9:41:17 PM