(The Chinese version of this article was published in Lingnan Music, Issue 297)
As the runner-up in American Idol Season 8, Adam Lambert drew enough attention from the audiences, also applause. Depended on his outstanding appearance and incredible vocal, Lambert was undefeatable in the show, and only lost to college student Kris Allen from Arkansas with a few controversial votes. Although he could not crown the title at last, Lambert already acquired sufficient attention and support, which facilitate his future development in the road of music industry.
Debut album For Your Entertainment debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in December 2009, selling 198,000 copies in the United States. Ironically, champion Kris Allen’s self-titled album only debuted at No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard, selling 80,000 copies. These data seems to imply that Adam Lambert, this controversial idol’s future could be bright.
Adam Lambert was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in January 29th, 1982, and moved to San Diego with his parents later. Lambert vocal ability was disclosed at his early age. Lambert performed on the stage as a stage actor in the first time when he was 10. At the age of 19, he already had the experience of touring outside America. Abundant stage experience cultivated his confident personality and venturous creativity. Lambert used to say on Idol that performing was his interest. “From the early age I was pretty clear that I wanted to be a performer. I like to print on customs, getting attention. I think I found my calling early on. I am glad I stuck with it.” July 17th, 2008, Lambert attended the American Idol Season 8 audition in San Francisco, then his glamorous music journey started.
Adam Lambert: Originality
The stage of American Idol achieved his success. His extraordinary range in voice was the weapon he has in American Idol. However, it is never enough to barely have a good voice, therefore, his originality and creativity in song arrangement became another factor boosting him to the Final. In the audition, Judge Randy Jackson called it “theatrical”, saying he was not showing emotion. In spite of that, Lambert’s dramatic vocal sent him to the Top 36 safely. After that, it all depended on the audiences.
As a professional stage actor, Lambert’s sense of stage was transparent. His confidence was exuded explicitly. Singing (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction in the semi-finals, Lambert’s charismas was known thoroughly by the public. Fashionable dress-up, confident movement and unrivalled high-pitch immediately pull audiences to him. Although Judge Simon Cowell has some negative comments on his over-fashionable outfits, other judges all surprised by Lambert’s unparalleled singing ability. Obviously, Lambert already became the “American idol” in people’s minds from that round.
Each round, Lambert used his incredible vocal and glamorous stage performance wined over every applause and compliments. The truth was, Lambert was always the audiences’ most favor—before Top 4 week, Lambert has never been into bottom 3. What’s more, Lambert’s understanding in music made him stand out the contestants. No matter it was Michael Jackson’s Blake or White, Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire, Yvonne Elliman’s If I Can’t Have You and Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love, Lambert could all find a way to mash up his own style into these songs. Just as he said in “Hollywood week”: “I get a song and I want to change it.” One of the mentors, country music icon Randy Travis use words like “Speechless”, “unique” after heard Lambert singing Ring of Fire. Judge Cowell appraised Lambert as one of the most original contestants in the history of American Idol.
Adam Lambert: Controversy
Tight leather jeans and black nail polish seem to imply that Lambert is a gay. The photo of him kissing a man while he was competing also spurred the discussion. This is also the reason most critics believe why Lambert could not win American Idol: it seems that American still cannot accept a gay being their “American idol”. After the show, Lambert admitted his identity of being a gay at Rolling Stone. In Barbara Walters’s talk show, Lambert expressed that it didn’t matter who he slept with, what matter was him being a singer.
However, the controversy Lambert brought did not stop. One day before he officially released his debut album, he was invited to perform on American Music Awards singing his first single For Your Entertainment. The performance that full of filtering and sexual behaviors, such as kissing a male keyboard player, was watched clearly by the Americans. After that, ABC network received over 1,500 complaints, so they have to cancel Lambert’s next performance on Good Morning America on ABC. Although Lambert was still invited by other television networks to perform, his overacting performance already became a controversial topic. Lambert later admitted in Ellen DeGeneres Show that he was going too far that night, but he also said he just wanted to bring more energy and express the meaning of the song better.
Adam Lambert: Future
Although going through so many things, Lambert still one of the most promising new artist in America. As a rookie, he sang the theme song Time For Miracle for Hollywood blockbuster 2012. In his debut album For Your Entertainment, well-known producers and singers such as Lady Gaga, Max Martin, Redone and P!nk involved for the album production. Apparently, it is meaningless to argue whether Lambert is the champion of American Idol, because comparing to both the quality of producers and the sales of album, Lambert has exceed Allen at the very beginning.
Besides, he has numerous supporters and fans in China. No many new artists could have a Chinese website, but Lambert did is the exception. Up to December 16th, 2009, adamlambert.com.cn has over 5,000 members. Furthermore, Lambert expressed his wish in an interview that he wanted to come to China. Adam Lambert, this glam rocker from reality show has already become a worldwide superstar.
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