Kiss the boy: Adam Lambert is feeling the heat for his AMA entertainment.
Bondage wear. Simulated oral sex. Bumps. Grinds. This year's American Music Awards was less about the music and more a post-modern house of burlesque. And the polarizing reactions from fans are no less electrifying.
One of the most sexually charged award shows in recent memory, it is ironic the most tame performance came from Ms. Janet Jackson herself. As if still suffering the effects of "Nipplegate" at the 2004 Super Bowl, she was positively demure by comparison to the shock-and-awe tactics displayed by Lady Gaga, Rihanna and, especially, Adam Lambert. In fact, it is Lambert himself who has taken the brunt of post-AMA malaise.
The rising glamrock "Idol" closed the show in a defiant performance that wore its pan-sexuality on his glittered sleeves. West coast audiences were treated to an edited version of his "For Your Entertainment" number that has since been criticized for Lambert simulated fellatio with a male dancer, kissing male keyboardist Tommy Ratliff, crotch grabbing and flipping off the crowd.
"You know honestly, if I offended some people... it's apples and oranges," Lambert told Access Hollywood. " I'm not an artist that does things for every single person. I believe in artistic freedom and expression, I believe in honoring the lyrics of a song, and those lyrics aren't really for everybody either. There's a big double standard, female pop artists have been doing things provocative like that for years, and the fact that I'm a male, and I'll be edited and discriminated against could be a problem. People are scared and it's really sad, I just wish people could open their minds up and enjoy things, it's all for a laugh, it's really not that big of a deal."
But some fans are not laughing at Lambert's provocative theatrics. Comments posted on the Us Weekly website ranged wildly from supportive (the few) to downright hostile (the many).
Catsuit Fever: Lady Gaga (left) and Rihanna (right). Kravitz/FilmMagic; Mazur/WireImage
What are your thoughts?
Is this mere publicity to ensure continued media coverage leading up to the debut of Lambert's first album this week?
Is there a double standard at play over the strong critical reaction to Lambert's performance?
Or, were some of the AMA performers merely engaging in using smoke and mirrors to deflect attention away from a lack of artistic depth and originality in the name of ratings?
Sound off now!
Comments
I am Gay and so ashamed of this so-called Gay Person. What an embarassment to us Gay people!
PUBLICITY STUNT - and a stoooopid one! So staged and it was B-O-R-I-N-G! J-Lo falling on her bootyliciousness while wearing her circa '85 reboks - WAY MORE EXCITING!! Great article though!
Why is it that gay people are the first to slam Adam. Either he is 'too gay' or 'not gay enough' for them. I have a feeling they are ashamed of themselves and fast to project onto Adam. I think way too much is being made of the AMA performances - they were all over the top but so are music videos. Chill and buy the music you like. Adam's album is damn good!!
I loved Adam and so did my husband. His favorite part was when Adam grabbed the dancer head pulled and pulled his head toward his crotch! Hubby also loves talent and Adam has it all and loves to perform for eveyone. Hubby also loved Queen when Freddie was alive! So I think it comes down to people who really know and love music and love art and to be entertained!
I also have to problem with gaga or any other performer from last night! If I don't like it I won't watch!
Hey did anyone see Carrie underwood perform all those men had their hands on her feeling up and down her body. You could almost see up her shorts. lol Well I don't hear anyone talking about that, why?
A performer could be naked on that stage and I could care less.
Again if you don't like it don't watch. Kids should be in bed and parents should do their homework on who is performing. My guess is if you don't like Adam, Gaga, & Carrie you won't like anyone that performs! So go hide in your little box.
The only point here is that Adam did not have to do this to impress or be great - he already was. Now he is much less than great and off the list of so many who really loved his art. I feel so sorry for him that he felt he had to sink to this level - again - no applause here - be the man you are and just do what you do best - be a great artist without the disgusting stuff - not needed, not wanted - make your parents proud as they were before.
Amen - nobody cares if he is gay - the "real gay" people are quiet and just love one another - not this dispicable display the world got to see - so ridiculous - truly thought Adam was above this - guess not
I think that some of the performances went to far.Yes carry had men filling her up but as in adam,aga ect they had took it to a nother leve. guy people had to hide there sexal now days it in every were he should have shame. As in gaga and everyone how was out of line they have took it to far embarassed the ama.
I agree with Lambert that there is a double standard, and being gay means he will get criticized for doing things non-gay people (especially MEN, not women, as Lambert proclaimed) do without criticism. Having said that, I thought the performance was ridiculous and awkward, and--more important--it validated sexual assault. There is no virtue in obtaining the right to do something no one should be doing.
Lady Gaga doesn't really need so many theatrics, though they have become part of her image.
I don't know what was worse--Lambert's making a fool of himself or a room full of people idolizing Whitney Houston.
If you were a fan of Adam's before than you still should be. He is an entertainer and doesn't have to inhibit himself in the least. You don't have to love everything ANYONE does but that doesn't mean it has to be this way or that way.Open up your minds people and stop spewing such hate. He is a newcomer to this and will have to learn by doing. I support Adam all the way, the man has vocals like no other which he has proved countless times. Grow up!
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