Adam Lambert has been called many things—“sex toy target” (referring to his fans’ propensity to playfully hurl bedroom items at his feet); “Glambert,” the taunt that became his signature alter-name; and the “first openly gay mainstream pop artist to launch a career on a major label in the United States,” usually intoned in the manner of an epitaph.
Add to that “male Lady Gaga,” a comparison that Mr. Lambert appreciates as he’s “a huge fan” of the kooky singer, whom he collaborated with in “Fever” (one of the best tracks in his debut album For Your Entertainment), and “the sexiest man in music” according to pollsters of the Top 10 Sexiest Men In Music released by Billboard.com last February—a fact that the pop idol had no knowledge of up until last Saturday, Sept. 18, in a round table conference call with Asian media, including BusinessWorld.
(By the way, he thinks “Justin Timberlake’s pretty sexy,” never mind that the same pollsters placed Mr. Timberlake fourth—but then again, he wouldn’t know that).
Evidently, Mr. Lambert is too darn busy, what with promotions and going deep into his Glam Nation Tour, four months running to date and about to propel its way into Asia (the Philippines specifically on Oct. 10), to pay attention to every single little thing that pertains to his looks, sex appeal and sexual proclivities—although the rest of the world seems to get along fine doing just that. (But his mom might have a digital record somewhere, as she tends to follow his press.)
Not since Elvis hip-thrust his way into TV have we seen such a reaction from audiences, surprising in an era where “dirty dancing” is a nostalgic TV show and women kissing women during musical performances is passé—we reserve the shock for the other team, when someone like Mr. Glambert kisses a band member, or grinds a dancer’s head against his pelvis while he grabs the crotch of another (yes, the 2009 American Music Awards sex simulation will forever be on his record).
So is it any wonder that his concert is sold out, and his fans here are waiting with bated breath over what he would care to do next?
To start with, he says that he’ll be adding new music to Glam Nation for the Asian audience. “We have a 60-minute set, we're actually making it a little longer,” is definite good news, as is his endorsement of “Can’t Let You Go”—a song only previously released in the UK, described by him as akin to an alternative rock ballad or a power ballad—to the Korean fans especially, who may look forward to the October release of his For Your Entertainment album with the bonus track included.
“It’s really, really emotional. It’s a beautiful song,” said Mr. Lambert.
Controversy seems to dog the glam idol, a recent scuffle with paparazzi (who cited “battery” in the police report he filed against Mr. Lambert) in South Beach, Florida making waves in the tabloids. “I think it’s going to blow over. I think the media is probably blowing it out of proportion; it really wasn’t a big deal,” he said, with circumspection.
To BusinessWorld’s query of whether the hardest thing about stardom is having a python on his crotch (for the Rolling Stone magazine cover) or the paparazzi at his back, Mr. Lambert laughed and admitted, “The paparazzi would definitely be a pain at times, but up until [this incident], I didn’t have a problem with them, so that would be a first. But the thing is, you know, it’s okay, [a tradeoff] for the opportunities you get of being a star, so I’m not complaining.”
Focus
He’s focusing on his performances on tour, while also working on his next album, holding out hope that he may one day get to sing with Christina Aguilera—“that would be fun”—and perhaps write something with David Bowie, one of the many icons he references in his performances; although one also see easy associations between the fantastic image he projects with the likes of Elvis, Freddie Mercury, Prince, and Billy Idol, to name a few.
“I’m very honored by that [comparison], I think that yes, as an entertainer, part of my job is to provide a fantasy, that’s definitely part of what I do. And then, I also find it equally important in addition to reflect reality as well. There should be a really bit of both,” the oddly humble Mr. Lambert told BusinessWorld.
Earlier, he’d explained that “the glam thing is a persona, glam is a lifestyle, glam is rock and roll, and painting yourself up, and playing dress-up, and just having a good time and not taking yourself too seriously,” as being what he’s all about.
Behavior that gets tongues wagging—not always in censure—is just part of his self-expression. “I really laugh about it. There’s not much I can do. Controversy is all a matter of perception. Something that may be controversial, for one newspaper or one person, might not be controversial at all. I think it’s very subjective.”
Fan adulation, from imitation to come-ons to proprietary grab-happy behavior, he says has never been too much to handle.
“It’s interesting. Sometimes I think to myself, I’d rather have my personal space, but I’m flattered and honored that you’re that passionate for what I do. So I take it as a compliment,” he said directly.
For the most part, he says he’s had a very positive experience with the first part of the tour, and his Asian leg promises to be as spectacular, glitter-happy, stage-turning, light-flashing, and dramatic as only the marriage of glam rock and alternative pop can be.
“This tour over the past few months has been amazing. I’ve seen amazing audiences, gotten to travel, and I’m really looking forward over where it’s going to take me over the last couple of months, internationally,” he enthused.
Originally published on 21 September 2010 in BusinessWorld.