Adam Lambert has certainly gotten tongues wagging ahead of the release of his new album, For Your Entertainment, which has dominated pre-orders on Amazon.com for over a month. He was also just named one of People magazine's sexiest men alive, and he promises a "kinky, sexy" performance on tonight's American Music Awards.
For starters, the album cover art was released in advance of the album, to mixed reactions. Adam says the cover was intended to be campy, what with his punk blue hair and makeup, but a lot of folks didn't get it. The comments went something like, "gay-gay", "drag queen", etc. Those who got it, loved it. To me, it has an 80's Pat Benatar vibe.
Album cover art (mtv.com)
Like everything else, Adam took it all in stride, later releasing an even more glammed-up version (he called it his "Dave Navarro makeover") for the cover of the album's first single, For Your Entertainment.
'For Your Entertainment' single cover art (mtv.com)
Then there was the snafu with Out magazine's bitchy editor, Aaron Hicklin. Adam appeared on the cover alongside Wanda Sykes, Cyndi Lauper, Rob Marshall, and Lt. Daniel Choi as part of Out's "Honor Roll" of 100 people chosen annually for their efforts or influence or success or whatever within the LGBT community. But Hicklin had issues with Adam's label and management team, whom he felt were controlling Adam's image. In an open letter to Adam, Hicklin said,
We’re proud to have you in this year’s Out 100, along with all the other men and women who don’t believe their sexuality should be a barrier to success. It’s unfortunate, therefore, that your record label and management don’t share the same view.
We’re curious whether you know that we made cover offers for you before American Idol was even halfway through its run. Apparently, Out was too gay, even for you. There was the issue of what it would do to your record sales, we were told. Imagine! A gay musician on the cover of a gay magazine. What might the parents think!
For the record, Adam's first cover was Entertainment Weekly, then Rolling Stone, which both have much larger readerships than Out. Jealous much, Mr. Hicklin? (Word has it Out is on the outs, so that could explain Hicklin's remarks.)
Adam first fired back to Hicklin on Twitter, then sat down with Entertainment Weekly and called the whole situation "funny". Adam told EW:
What people don’t realize is, I am managing my image, more than maybe the editor of Out magazine likes to give anybody credit for. My team is a team. And I really feel fortunate that 19 Management and Simon Fuller said to me, from the get-go, “We want to do what you want to do. You need to tell us how you want to do things, what interests you have,” and they’ve been incredibly supportive of me. I really mean it. I’m not being puppeted around.
Want proof? Look at those album covers.
Rehearsal photo for tonight's AMA Awards (Photo: LA Times)
And, watch Adam on the AMA Awards tonight on ABC (check local listings).
Adam told the LA Times that his fans should expect a sexy, kinky performance of For Your Entertainment, with 10 backup dancers (5 boys and 5 girls). He called the wardrobe "amazing" and said he'll be accompanied by the band from the For Your Entertainment video, which shot last week in LA and is rumored to be eye-popping and will push some major boundaries.
For Your Entertainment, the album, the one we've all been waiting so anxiously for, finally releases this Monday, November 23rd. I got my order in. Did you? You can vote for your fave singles here.
Can't wait for all the videos and remixes!
Click "Subscribe" above to have articles emailed to you. Your email address will never be shared with a third party.
For all things LGBT-related worldwide, visit my Home Page.
Comments
Keep your boyfriend out of your lap during the awards. Thats the problem of most f.a.g.s, they throw up the s in public more then Hetros. That made my night to see some guys head in your crotch you sick Pig
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! ADAM IS FANTASTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!!!!! This was the best performance of the night! BRILLIANT!
Loved it! I cannot wait to see more of Adam...
Sick sick sick... Didn't like you on idol and like you even less after your performance tonight.
Yeah, I like Adam, but that was just creepy, he can't even sing, I don't know what that was suppose to be, but it wasn't good. Everything about it just had major issue, couldn't understand half of what he was singing, seriously knew he was lip singing, his hair was f-ed up, and the guys face in his crotch was just plain creepy. I want the Adam that could actually sing not this crap
tacky tacky tacky. i am done with you adam and i found you performance vulgar and lacking talent with all the screaming. How quickly you have lost your way and obviously your soul. Do you really think we all want to watch your disgusting behavior. Screw off you little jerk and take your gross gestures and your boyfriends and girlfriends with you you perv
Oh my god.. i just watched his performance and i am floored. I can not believe that was aired on television. Shoving his crotch in people's faces.. who the hell does he think he is. He is not even good. I am very surprised that some people think that was the best performance of the night. I dont think people know what real music is. This was sick and makes me want to throw up just thinking of it. I would have loved to see what his family thought about that.
I love Adam, but I feel like he concentrated too much on the dancing, the mock sex, etc. and while I loved the idea of it, the edginess, etc., I just wish he'd SING. He has an amazing voice - that's what people will remember.
I USED to like Adam..........
But now he has PROVEN that he is a FREAK
what a WASTE of good talent
i was a fan of Adam during idol
i had planned to buy his album. there is NO WAY im spending money on that trash
He wanted to see what people in the audience would think of him... people that he looks up to .. Well i hope they all let him know how horrible it was. WHo wants to see you basically having sex on the stage and dragging girls across the floor. Give me a freakin break
I wish you would just sing - you have an amazing voice - I am afraid you turned off some of your base.
That was the WORST I have ever seen! I liked Adam lambert..Tell tonight. I think that should have never aired on t.v. Walking around on stage with men on a dog leash that is tastless. Then grabbing a chick by her crouch and shoving men into ur crouch. That is just SICK!! Then kissing another man on stage. Yes i understand that is what he is in to. But come on we have young people waching this..LET'S KEEP IT CLEAN!! I am ashamed of Public tv for airing something like that.
All these prudes leaving comments need to jam a fat one. After seeing tonight's performance, two things are clear to me: 1) Adam is going to be a huge star, and 2) he's going to upset parents and mainstream america like no one we've seen in a long time.
I looked forward to his performance all night and was SOOOOO Disappointed!!! That was complete crap-it was like he was on a really bad musical-too theatrical! I was looking forward to buying his album, but I will not now. I was just embarrassed for him. All the sex crap was a bad move, too. Not sexy at all-disgusting! You lost a lot of fans after that.
Adam is AMAZING! I will buy his new album.
I love how the same tool keeps posting the same crap here again and again. Hey, at least I'm using the same name when I post..
"All these prudes leaving comments need to jam a fat one"
Well we know now what the mentatility of his fans will be!!
I dont care what people do........but there is a time and place for everything..........this was not the time or the place.
what he did belonged down at the "worlds largest bookstore" in nashville
a huge star??? why do you think he will be a huge star after the crap he did tonight?
I thought Lambert's AMA performance was disgusting.
And they thought Janet Jackson act was profane...that whole scene should make waves in the media...and he should be heavily fined for that performance...talk about trying to force something on other people, please spare me...
Listen "disappointed," I'm not a fan. I don't watch American Idol and the last record I bought was Van Morrison's greatest Hits, so I'm not in his demographic. I think these people ought to "jam a fat one" because their outrage is amusing to me. It makes me giggle. The fact that you and I are on here chatting about this is EXACTLY what Lambert's PR guys want. Don't you think they knew how people were going to react? This is a calculated move on their part. Jam if you like, but he'll be laughing all the way to the bank.
Christine, the fact that you and I are on here chatting about this when you could be folding your panties or feeding your cat should be evidence enough to you that tonight's performance achieved the desired result. Rock and Roll has always been an "in your face" medium. We just haven't had too many "in your face" performances (or artists) in quite a while. I'll tell you what, just watch the record sales if you don't believe me. You will see..
I've been obsessed with Adam Lambert, an amazing gifted singer, and was looking forward to hearing him sin. I am no longer and regret having bought his album to support his TRASH. ADAM SHOULD BE ASHAMED and I am sure his parents are so embarrased. I was for him. Plus the singing was totally FLAT!
Perhaps he should go back to the rock he seems to want to be under! DARK AND SLIMY.
I am an Adam fan. But I could not believe what I saw. Completely disappointed
You guys are all so funny, reacting exactly how you are supposed to. Remember Madonna did all this BEFORE and worst (did you see her Sex book?), at least Adam hasn't shown us his vagina. The guy is hot.
Jon, I'm straight so I don't think he's "hot," but I agree with everything else you said. These clowns and their outrage are all so hilarious, and all playing right into Adam's hands. The guy is going to sell a ton of albums, and the more these clowns complain the more he'll sell.
Yeah, I like Adam, but that was just creepy, he can't even sing, I don't know what that was suppose to be, but it wasn't good. Everything about it just had major issue, couldn't understand half of what he was singing, seriously knew he was lip singing, his hair was f-ed up, and the guys face in his crotch was just plain creepy. I want the Adam that could actually sing not this crap
I thought what i saw was run of the mill Adam. It's just one side of him. See him on youtube with Dust in the Wind -- he's different. See him on American Idon -- he's calm, cool and calculated. See him on Zodiac Show -- he's a little like the AMA performance. That guy's a true chameleon. Yay to ADAM. He is for your entertainment! Way to go Adam!
It was done in bad taste porn-like material night club act.
WOWOWOWOWO.if you want enjoy your life,Have fun, give you a good web to make friends with rich and lonely women .find your love
for 100% free on ____www.Matchcougar.com___ is a private exclusive dating club to meet millionaires, rich and
beautiful women who is very alone worldwide. Find your perfect match easier and more effective! Hope you
can find your perfect match
I was shocked by Adam's performance! I was also shocked by Alice Cooper when they were an unknown band of boys in dresses. Led Zeppelin looked very gay playing warm up for Vanilla fudge and Elvis. Remember Ed Sullivan refusing to show his gyrating hips? No? .. Well.. I DO! ..and we liked it.
I am a 60 year old man.. straight.. and I think Adam Lambert it the hottest talent to come out of Idol. I don't see anyone complaining about the need to censor the rap "artists" every few seconds. I do see people searching the web for Adam Lambert and taking the time to comment.. even me.. which is something I hardly ever do. I probably wont buy his music but he's a star if I ever saw one.
Adam Lambert and Lady GaGa should be censored!
ABC should be fined by the FCC!
The costume designers need to at least go to thrift shops for burlesque queens!
The show was not fit for children to watch!
I watched Adam perform every week on American Idol and encouraged my friends to vote for him each week. He had good weeks and bad weeks as he grew as a performer. He also controlled his "image" with the public down to how the "Welcome to San Diego" show was orchistrated. I knew he would continue to shock people as Madonna, Prince and Boy George all did early on in their careers. He is a talented singer and performer, with huge potential. I did watch the AMA's last night and while I was excited for him to be debuting his album on the AMA's, I was also not pleased with the level of his "contact" with others or his singing. I would have expected this level of performance to be later on in his career and would have hoped his singing would have come across like when he sang the mad world song on Idol. He can reach a much larger fan base if he finds his nitch, while not turning people off. Lada Gaga is just weird on stage, Adam was just a bit too over the top even for me a HUGE Adam Fan.
i agree thhat adam's AMA performance was not his best but he is still a huge star and can sing his face off. i do hope adam will use his discretion wisely next time. adam you can't please everybody, anything you do or say one thing sure you always get some negative vibes. you are talented and an amazing singer adam and you deserve a better and honorable treatment but you need to be careful in your decisions next time. good luck and by the way, i enjoy your album.
k first off Adam Lambert is the best no doubt bout that but he seriously needs to be a little less sexual in his performances the AMA was one lol LOVE his work AND he is HOTT so just saying to watch what your doing Adam cause rememeber your showing the world what an openly gay singer can do plz dont set a bad image for the rest of us :)
adam lambert is colorful(primary color unique) adma is adam. dont eb dissapointed guys-gals. i know adam hes a good genrrous human being. donors choose.org/hes also a humanotarian. good kid. no one is perfect remebr madonna?britney spears?kiss madonna?and pinkf plus others i saw the video grabbing their dancers crocth.
perhaps double standard?adam was right one performance doeasnt make him bad. others do it more than once. think about it. now u know;
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!