A British company is suing a talent agency in Santa Monica for allegedly claiming it could get pop star Adam Lambert for a fraction of his usual asking price—and then pulling a disappearing act.
Madison Universal has filed papers against Family Productions, claiming FP promised to get Lambert for two concerts—one in Russia and one in Ukraine—for $80,000.
Madison claims it paid FP a 10% deposit of $8,000—but FP didn’t do squat to line-up the concerts … so Madison tried to get its money back … to no avail.
According to the complaint, Madison grew suspicious—so it contacted Adam’s agent Randy Salcedo at CAA—who informed Madison that an $80,000 fee wouldn’t cover a Lambert concert in Russia… let alone an additional one in Ukraine.
According to court papers, flying Lambert out to the former Soviet Union would be more in the ballpark of half a mil.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Madison is asking for damages in excess of $25,000.
Photo: Greg Hernandez
Andrew
That amount of money wouldn’t even cover his make up bill.
Julie
Why does the headline make it sound like that’s Adam’s fault? It’s his agent/label that sets the price for his concerts, not him!
Family Productions clearly pulled a scam by claiming something that just isn’t true.
Depending on the scale of the concert, you have to take into account the amount of airfare for all the band members, and the crew. The cost to fly all their instruments and equipment there…. (then a second set of expenses from Moscow to the Ukraine) All the production costs.
Then I imagine (though I could be completely wrong on this) it’s Adam’s label that has to buy the venue out… so, cost of the venue(s). Possibly the cost of advertising, and promotional…
And then whatever they tack of for their fee, and whatever they actually want to get paid on top of that… (which I’m sure is ridiculously high, but that’s how the industry rolls)
I’m honestly surprised it’s not MORE than $500,000.
I’m glad Madison Universal is suing this company though. They should have known it was too good to be true unfortunately.
At least Adam will be going on tour soon, so the people is Russia and the Ukraine will get their Adam fix eventually. It just probably won’t be through Madison Universal.
(And I don’t think the fans give a d*mn where the concert is, or how much it costs. They’ll attend regardless!)
Ron
and they still advertise it: http://fpaagency.com/book-adam-lambert/
plazaboy
Someone would pay $500,000 to have Adam Lambert give a concert? Who and more importantly, why?!
Aric
The way people are reporting this suggests that Adam is the one who did wrong; He is not.
I am surprised that he gets paid that much; Good for him. Get that money, Adam.
MKe
How many bodygaurds do you need when you’re a gay singer performing in a country that has banned “homosexual propaganda”?
David
Just so you guys know, the 500k is the price to fly out Adam, his band, their equipment, etc. Adam doesn’t set these prices and has no control.
Bruce K
@plazaboy: It doesn’t take a genius to figure out he has a lot of International fans. Just because you may not like a singer or actor or what have you doesn’t mean others even remotely feel the same way you do. #Logic
Jill
Who would pay? We would!! Over 100 sold-out concerts around the world last year….and he’s worth every cent!!!
Jack Jett
Headline is misleading and very unfair to Mr. Lambert. I assume had you been talking about Wavey Davey you would have been more respectful.
Jason
This is snarky bitchy Queerty. You won’t get any support from these guys for Adam. Really sad that our gay websites do not support it’s own.
Adult jobs
I dont like the way they reporting this!!! Poor Adam.
BigStella
I would not pay a dime to see that tired washed up has been. 🙂
Oh, ok.
@Jill: Sparkle on, cow, sparkle on.
Huh ...
@Oh, ok.: That seems uncalled for.
Carlton W
@Oh, ok no need to be obnoxious. This site already has a bad enough reputation
Belize
@Jason: At least it’s still better than the Sword. Of course, considering the Sword, that’s not much of an achievement.
Ghostface Wankah
Dan Avery your lede sucks.
Belize
@BigStella: Wise words from a tired washed up never-been, perhaps?
Mandy
I think he can probably command more. On his last tour, Singapore paid him $250K and he played a huge rock festival in Moscow and a gig for Amway in Shanghai. Remember, out of all the singers in the world, he was chosen by one of the greatest rock bands in history to front them. No doubt he will get paid big bucks for two shows with Queen at London and Moscow.
And for you haters who know nothing about him, he has sold well over 4 million singles in the US only (probably closer to 5 million world-wide) and almost 2 million albums world-wide. He was the second highest earning Idol last year with $6 million, he had a sold-out world tour of over 100 venues, and he was nominated for a Grammy for a single that was top 10 in over 20 countries. Doesn’t sound like a has-been to me. And his new album coming out has been getting rave reviews from the UK. So I think he will be around for a long time.
terry
This has NOTHING TO DO WITH ADAM. Why have such a snarky headline? The figure mentioned is a guess-timate and as someone said includes a whole range of expenses anyway. How much do you think other artists charge for similar? Or do they all do it for peanuts and only ‘openly-gay’ Adam is the “greedy one”. Or do you expect Adam to work for less because he’s gay? I don’t get it. Why do we always “eat our own”. It sickens me that my own community can do this to a man who is such a lovely, genuine, talented person working hard on his career but never forgetting to promote fellow artists and work for important causes including (but not limited to) LGBT ones. Is it because he doesn’t fit some whimpy stereotype of the “gay man”? Is he too confident? Too bold? Not gay enough? Too gay? Who knows. I certainly don’t. All I can do is sit back and admire Adam for the classy way he handles shit from all quarters and try to ignore all the idiotic haters and bad media attitudes towards him.
ScaryRussianHeather
The fact that scammers continue to invent fake concerts for fraud and ridiculous old studio unfinished recordings are being released fraudulently as “Adam Lambert’s new album” just proves that this guy is a high earner.
Now for the record for the haters:
Adam Lambert has done more for LGBT people than anyone else in entertainment history beginning with his Grammy performance in 2009 when he kissed his bass player in front of 40 million people, bitch-slapped that loser Aaron Hicklin, refused to apologize for the double standard enjoyed by hetero performers, and embarrassed worthless GLAAD into FINALLY making their 4th semi-coherent statement against their buddies, the TV networks. It’s well documented here in the archives.
He’s used his popularity to promote LGBT equality and support for kids, raised well over a million dollars for charity, even though being out and proud has been a ball and chain on his life and career non-stop since being gay has been the constant “description” of the guy and considering that even disc jockeys make homophobic cracks about him when spinning his music. He took heat [here] for saying that LOGO could do a better job presenting more meaningful and quality programming – and NOW look what happened to LOGO.
He’s the ONLY pop singer who can say he actually has a heartbreaking song he wrote from personal experience about LGBT marriage/relationship equality called “Outlaws of Love” and it was the first song he sang publically from his upcoming album. Three years ago, he recorded a song celebrating LGBT rights and mentioning DADT way before it became fashionable, including the fake not-bisexual Gaga.
Outlaws of Love video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oJRuaH5FJ0
Haters, why not post YOUR REAL NAMES and cities, you’re so tough?
On the business side, the 500K is for the SHOW not his individual salary. Lambert had to PAY FOR HIS TOUR (and merch) of 100 cities last year, the bill is not footed by any magical record company. Yes there is some contribution and sponsorships but he has to earn the revenue to cover ALL tour expenses.
The band, dancers, and roadies work for HIM not the record label. Or do you think these people work for free? They are a backup band he pays, not signed to any label. HIS money pays for the airlines, bus expense, hotels etc. His “profit” is what’s left after the tour is over. Then he gets to decide if he’s going to re-invest that money into more shows or keep it. This is a business, not some government program where Washington gives people other people’s money for stuff.
I hope everyone springs for the 10 bucks for Trespassing when it comes out in Mapril whether you like the music or not. Alternatively you can watch him go the way of Logo and become a watered down version of the LGBT hero you’re all claiming you’re still waiting for. 🙂
Jack Jett
@Carlton W: Yeppers I know. What happened to this site? Can they bring back Andrew Belonsky to fix it?
jason
Why on earth would someone pay big money to fly Adam Lambert? He’s not exactly popular. His latest songs have flopped massively. He also isn’t getting the support from the music industry. No small wonder. The music industry is extremely homophobic to the concept of male-male sexuality.
Face it – Adam is has-been material. He’s partly the victim of the homophobia that exists towards men in the music industry.
Mandy
@jason, did you not read my post at No. 20? Artists make their money off of touring and he made $6 million last year. And what flop songs exactly are you talking about? His previous two singles were top 20 pop hits in the US, and he has sold over 4 million singles in the US and much more world-wide. His album and/or singles are gold, platinum, sometimes double-platinum outside of the US. His latest single was top 10 on Billboard hot 100 in Japan (2nd largest music market in the world) and is approaching top 20 on the HAC format in the US. He is extremely popular outside of the US which is why foreign countries pay him big bucks. The promoter of the Queen show in Moscow said he was bidding to get him there last year but was outbid by Maxidrom, where he did play. Even the skeptical hard rock fans there were blown away by him.
You are definitely ignorant and incorrect by saying his latest songs have flopped massively and that he is not popular. How could he have toured internationally filling venues as much as 75K, 20K if he wasn’t?
Hi There I'm Tom
Spot the creepy, a little-to-excited Adam Lambert super-fans….
Ontheadamtrain
The amount of disrespect for this talented man is ridiculous. If HIS management charges this fee,who are you to refute it? I’m sure Katy Perry gets paid loads and she’s not the best singer live!! Or Britney? Who would pay good money to see someone lipsync an entire show? Obvious answer….HER FANS. Taste is personal. Obviously there are people who pay money to go to a Katy or Britney concert. Not my business what they get….. it’s not for me to say. Why do you think then that Adam’s fee is not in league with the above mentioned? He’s a terrific live performer and he is very popular,globally!
And pleeeaaasse…Hi There I’m Tom…..every artist has super-fans…..Adam’s just happen to be more discerning.
Gleaux
WOW! It’s incredible to me that some of the smallest minded people I have ever encountered are members of the LGBT community. There is something gravely wrong with this picture.
Jessie
@jason: Can you read or, are you simply satisfied being an uninformed idiot.
RedRoseQueen1
@Hi There I’m Tom: Spot the even CREEPIER over-the-top closet queen who is jealous of a SUPER TALENTED gay male performer who appeals to the masses. Sucks to be you Tom….Seriously.
Adam Lambert is worth TWICE the amount in question and then some.Watch it guys..your “jealousy slip” is showing.
Huh ...
@RedRoseQueen1: Not that I care about either side of this debate, but … way to prove his point.
RedRoseQueen1
@Huh …: The ONLY point proven is the one made by Ontheadamtrain “every artist has super-fans…..Adam’s just happen to be more discerning.”
Looks like YOU also could benefit from some “schoolin'” ;D
Huh ...
@RedRoseQueen1: The fact that you get super intense about some random American Idol contestant is sad; the fact that you think said contestant is something people need to be “schooled” in is just pathetic. Have you ever read a book that wasn’t assigned for homework?
RedRoseQueen1
@Huh …: I’ll go you one better, jerk-wad. I am a published book author myself.
It isn’t “sad” that I, like so many, am a true fan of Lambert’s. What IS pathetic is that YOU, who obviously are NOT a fan, feel the need to argue on a blog with someone who IS a fan.
The “schooling” that you NEED would be wasted on one of your extremely limited comprehension level.
Huh ...
@RedRoseQueen1: Again: Totally appropriate intensity level. Not creepy at all.
Oh, and bragging that you’re a “published book author” because 3 people downloaded your self-published vampire romance novel? Beyond sad.
RedRoseQueen1
@Huh …: Totally WRONG again troll, on EVERY level. Not about vampires, not available to download and NOT “self published”…..I also have an agent.
This will be my last response to you because YOU are totally creeping ME out now, Hahaha!
My best 3 words of advice to you? GET A LIFE.~Peace,Out~
Huh ...
@RedRoseQueen1: Yeah. This is your last reply because you’re getting your ass handed to you.
And by the way, totally love the defensive attitude, and how you keep trotting out your credentials. That must be some literary career, if you can get this worked up by some random stranger online.
Oh, and every real novel published nowadays is available for Kindle download. You must be even more unimportant than I thought.
As lame people used to say in the 90s: PEACE OUT.
Jessie
Your headline is totally “out of line”. You might think it’s cute, but most see you and your site as living off the gay community. Lower the cute, the last thing the gay community needs is another smartass self-hating gay site.
tess4ADAM
What I cannot understand is … if ADAM is so unimportant to you (this is addressed to ALL the detractors here … not just one BTW) … then WHY do you feel so intensely opposed to him to the point of PROVING that he is UNWORTHY of any recognition?? If you don’t like him … fine … but why must you RIP APART his fans & supporters because WE DO?? Are we not entitled to defend him just as much as you are entitled to dislike him in PRINT!?! I don’t care where or how ADAM has gained recognition .. TV show, clubs, whatever .. I’m just glad that he has because ADAM is a PHENOMENAL young man!! JMO
tess4ADAM (LAMBERT Outlaw)