Adam Lambert may be among the most polarizing performers ever to grace the American Idol stage, but even his biggest detractors would have to admit the man gives a great sound bite. In parts 4 and 5 of a freewheeling Réalite interview filmed Wednesday afternoon at Manhattan’s Hudson Terrace, Adam talked about how Idol gave him the Elvis treatment when he performed “Whole Lotta Love” during Rock Week, what the Idol summer tour taught him about getting in touch with his inner sexy beast, and why it’s “confusing” and “hard to navigate” his position as a political firebrand when, really, he just wants to be a singer. Press play below to hear what the season 8 runner-up has to say, and please do come back next Monday when we’ll post additional interviews with Adam that delve deeply into the writing and recording process for his debut album, For Your Entertainment, which hit stores this week. And if you want to get up-to-the-minute alerts about my latest Idol scoop, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak. (UPDATE: CBS responds to Lambert-blurring controversy.)
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Comments (1-15) of 217 Add your comment
Oh Adam don’t ever change. You are an awesome person.
Yes – stay true to yourself Adam – you are wonderful just the way you are.
Except for his pizza face and pasty, doughy body. And except that he wears more pancake than a 75 year old woman with rosacea.
paul… quit describing youself.
Adam you are already one of the most loved performers around the world!!!!!!!! Don’t go away honey. You are insanely talented!!!
OK seriously DD, you’re getting carried away. How could he be the “most loved” performers “around the world”
It’s great you love him to death, but be real here. He won a karaoke contest 6 months ago in America – he’s barely even loved in his own country, let alone known much outside of the US.
I agree with you.
Adam’s a unique performer who will find his niche, but there is NO WAY he can be labeled as widely loved by the world.
That is just nuts
(and I’m an Adam fan!)
Part of his problem is that he actually believes he’s some beloved legend. He’s nothing. And by milking this annoying cry for attention, he’s ensuring that he’ll stay that way.
I think the BIGGER problem is that HIS (delusional) fans also think he’s a “legend”….and considering his album sales are going to be average at best, and his radio singles are going nowhere.
Some folks needs to recheck the definition of a ‘legend’ – he hasn’t proven himself at ALL.
I’ve never heard him sing, but looking at him kind of grosses me out.
@DeadEnd
Adam’s album sales are going to be OK, especially considering the economy right now. The day of million copy sales debuts are in the past. Even Susan Boyle, given her appeal and widereaching fanbase, won’t sell a million. Adam, I believe, is projected to sell about 200K his first week. Kris Allen, the WINNER of American Idol, by comparison sold about 85K his first week. And Kris Allen is NOWHERE NEAR as racy as Adam and comes from a christian/inspirational music background. You’d think that christian music lovers, conservatives, kids, parents and all else who are supposedly SOOO offended by Adam’s “antics” would have rushed out and supported him on his project. As far as his radio singles are concerned, radio stations are more apt to spin records of pedophiles who urinate on girls, violent criminals who broadcast their heinous felonies to a catchy beat, and street corner “drug lords” who detail the ins-and-outs of the drug trade. They obviously can’t be bothered with, offended by, or are trying to “protect” their listeners from an openly (and unapologetic) gay singer. My area’s KISSFM (the station most likely to play Lambert) DJs have openly said things like “YUCK” when discussing Adam’s kiss at the AMAs and have said little snide remarks about Adam all throughout his American Idol days too concerning his makeup, clothes, lifestyle, and GAYNESS! I think this has MORE to account for Adam’s nearly nonexistent radio play than the quality or popularity of Adam’s singles. Despite the lack of airplay (hopefully “Whataya Want From Me” changes that), Adam is still projected to post good numbers his first week. Any other week, those numbers could have secured him the #1 spot on the Billboard 200.
BTW, Adam has PROVEN himself as a LEGEND on American Idol. Since AI is a microcosm of America (singers and viewers/voters), then it’s not a very big leap to project that Adam will be legendary in American music culture either. He’s already broken down barriers as an openly gay male mainstream music artist on a major label. His fanbase is primaryly male and female, gay and straight, and young and old. He hasn’t “proven” himself as a legend yet because he’s just getting started. But, he is “proving” that he has the potential to be.
i’m all for him and think he’s being given a hard deal right now, but i don’t get all the wild fandom already! I don’t know how he got the spot of closing the AMA’s to begin with. But Mark is right, plus he didn’t even win that karaoke contest, Kris Allen did! lol
Yes, “Beauty”, Lambert proved himself to be a legend simply by appearing as a contestant on a reality show. LOL! This is the same world where Obama received a nobel Peace Prize for having done absolutely nothing in his life, save for winning what has become a popularity contest, so yeah, by that metric, the talentless Lame-bert is a true legend. Right up there with bikini girl, William Hung and Justin Guarini. Legends all.
Looks like “Beauty” got her paws on the booze early this Thanksgiving…..
I am from Hong Kong and lots of my mates are loving Adam since AI….so he may not be famous around the world but most parts of the world….Adam…u RULE!!!
Okay I get it… America loves Karaoke as much as Japan, but how many of these “Idols” even make it past two albums… their break-out then their down-fall. Seems like little girls like this guy because he’s something they can’t have, and little boys like this guy because he’s something they’re afraid to want. Who cares if he’s gay, who cares if he can sing a song that someone once sang better. People that blindly follow American Idol like it’s their long lost destiny are the same people that would be eaten alive by wild animals if not for technology suppressing the “survival of the fittest” mantality.
Just to let you guys know that Adam is massive in the UK, no 1 in Finland and, has a massive following indeed worldwide – I’m in Australia.
I think people genuinely want to hear a performer who can actually sing and who is not manufactured as the majority of the music biz.
BTW, also the fact that there are so many fans already well regarded in the entertainment industry (Actors, Musicians, Producers etc..) should tell you he is phenomenally talented. I suggest you YouTube some more of his performances outside of Idol – maybe Brigadoon, 10 commandments, Come Home among many and do not use your own prejudices or other’s POV cloud your judgement. Interesting that though Kris Allen won idol, his record sales and demand for him are waaaaayyyy below that of Adam Lambert also….again…reflective of sheer TALENT! That said, I respect your opinion and wish you joy in moving forward, may you not be subject to this kind of critcism you give others – Adam & his fans!
@puhlease wow you consider William Hung, Bikini girl, and Guarini legends. You certainly don’t know talent when lumping the only one with talent Adam Lambert in with them. Oh right you hate Adam that much that his immeasurable talent makes you go crazy lmao
i think puhlease meant the exact opposite cynical. like, Adam has as much chance of being a legend as they do.
omg….
sarcasm juststop sarcasm… try to read between the lines.
Definitely there’s nothing that Adam should change because basically it’s his real and open personality that got him millions of fans globally.
GMA cancelling the show had cost them badly and it was very poor judgement on their part as they have acted as stupid as those that complained which actually came from Adam’s detractors since the Idol days. No real fan complained because they know Adam Lambert too well for them to be shocked of anything he had done and anything that he may surprise them in the future.
Shut up losers!!!
Yep. “No real fan complained because they know Adam Lambert too well for them to be shocked of anything he had done and anything that he may surprise them in the future.”
Adam is the rawk god, we know. He is allowed special dispensations & can do whatever he wants. Every one knows that! Dang.
“millions of fans globally…”where do these people come from.
Paul- all that and he could STILL steal your girlfriend.
What is it about oral sex that seems to push people’s buttons? Not how God intended?
Between two opposite sexes, it’s OK….but between the two sexes…I don’t get it…however, if that’s the way you swing that’s the way you swing.
oh Sally, a mouth is a mouth…
Isn’t Adam Lambert the name of the kid from Lizzy McGuire?
Close…Adam Lamberg.
MIchael, this is so much fun. Keep releasing these great clips – Monday awaits. You are a great interviewer – and way to work to entertain us during this holiday week!
Yes – these are great thank you!
Such a great interview! looking forward to more!
I have to say I’m impressed with the thoughtful answers Adam gave. He’s a talented guy who willingly owns everything he does, good bad or indifferent.
Oh, Adam, I love you and your sexy rolls so much. Please keep on delivering. Your here for my entertainment. “Come to mama!”
Best ninja roll ever!
The problem with that is,HE LIKES DUDES!!!!!! I wish he would just go away.
You’re so afraid, Bobby. Gays don’t bite.
I agree Bobby, I wish this fake ass poser would just go away!
Adam’s here to stay and he’s famous. Bobby and Tim… are the ultimate losers
Can he be any more articulate and intelligent? Love!
Thanks for these interviews and could you do a weekly series pretty please! Thanks.
He is so personable, and so willing to open up about how he thinks and feels. I appreciate that about him so much.
And don’t forget the way rainbows come of out his nose when he sneezes – he’s so amazing!
Slezak gives the best Adam interviews. He might fanboy Kris and Ali more, but he does awesome w/ Adam. As for Adam… dude is smart and funny and presh. Too bad his vocals were iffy at the AMAs, but I’m sure he can ninja roll outta that performance just fine. And I did love the bit w/ the dudes on the leashes.
Adam has so much charisma – I love these interviews.
Okay. I AM one of those fans who felt betrayed. But after watching THIS excellent interview I certainly better understand where Adam was coming from. Michael, you are an outstanding interviewer and I am so glad you had this opportunity. It is clear that Adam respects your ability. Looking forward to more on Monday.
Thanks Slezak, your interviews are always terrific. Can’t wait for Monday. I am so glad that Adam is here for our entertainment!
Damn, Adam is doing great. I love him. It’s can’t be easy being in his situation right now.
Yeah, he’s got it tough. It looks like he’s having a real hard time being lewd and obscene. Poor guy…I don’t know how he’ll ever make it!
I sure hope he does though, we need more like him being great influences on our youth, right? Damn, Adam, you’re disgusting.
There is nothing disgusting about Adam Lambert. What is disgusting are homophobic comments and hate comments. Janet Jackson, Lady GaGa and Rhianna were being choir girls? Quit the double standard and the whinning.
Yeah… except Phillip didn’t mention a single thing about him being gay. He said Lambert was lewd and obscene, which doesn’t depend on sexual orientation at all. It’s YOU who jumped to call Phillip homophobic. No surprise though, since “oh, well, then you’re homophobic” seems to have taken the place of actually thinking about what someone writes about Lambert’s performances. Which, by the way, WERE lewd and obscene.
I got a free ticket to a Britney Spears concert the other night and would say that after that experience along with her random acts of instability and actions of late she is a FAR worse influence on the youth – the whole show was like a 4th rate strip show. Is this LEWD & OBSCENE or would this be acceptable to you as it is mainly objectifying Women? Just google Britney Spears & Circus…
Also, what I find REALLY annoying is that mostly all of the other performances on the AMA’s had some kind of sexual/violent connotation however NONE of their songs were connected to that…I mean…Carrie Underwood…Girls in Burlesque outfits dancing on chairs????
I suggest you google Madonna also, I can remember a few risque performances by her way back in late 80’s early 90’s on awards show, one in particular where she was writhing about in a bed with various guys…is that lewd or are you OK with that too?
Michael, thanks so much, I am loving this interview. Adam is an interesting person — so honest, articulate and fun. And you ask such great questions; even when you are covering a topic like the AMAs that Adam has discussed with others, you manage to get fresh insights. Thanks again, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming parts of the interview about Adam’s album.
Adam – can you please call Michael Slezak’s Mom to say hello? Early in Idol, she was such a balance to Michael’s early ambivalence on Idolatry and she just sounds fantastic. The “Come to mama” line made me laugh out loud – love her!
I love what he said here. This is so true…the more he did hip thrusts and sexy moves on the tour, the louder the crowd’s response. We wanted to see sexy, slinky Adam. More, more, more…oh wait, that’s too much. WTF? This is what made me so mad about the “hardcore fans” that complained about his AMA performance. They asked, he gave, and then they complained. Not me. I’ll stick with him 100%
That’s because most of the people who go to Idol concerts are just teens ready to jump on anything that’s controversial or unconventional. That’s what being a teenager is all about. Eventually you grow up and look for things beyond mere shock value.
At the AI concert I attended, there was a wide demographic variety and everyone around me was shrieking for Adam from teens to women in their sixties. It’s not just teens who love Adam. It might even be your wife. And that’s what is scary, isn’t it?
43. LOOOOOVEEEE Adam, as do many our age Dan. We actually remember when people who made money as singers could SING/ENTERTAIN & INSPIRE and we want MORE!