Despite a mostly forgettable singing performance at last night's American Music Awards, the glam rocker did accomplish one thing: Getting people to discuss his sexuality. As if he needs to help the press do that.
From riding his male dancers, to making out with his (straight) male keyboardist Tommy Joe Ratliff, to simulating head with another dancer, Lambert certainly delivered plenty of talking points during his debut performance. And it might have completely negated Out magazine editor Aaron Hicklin's argument that Lambert wasn't "gay enough."
Before ABC's cameras (or censors) could cut to another shot, Adam had firmly planted his crotch in the face of a minion. A minute later, he was making out with his keyboardist. And again ABC ran to another shot.
So was the whole thing a carefully staged pop culture shock moment? Absolutely. "Adrenaline is crazy and sometimes things just happen,” Lambert told reporters after the show. "“We had this great dance number totally staged. It’s a sexy song about seduction and power and I was just doing the lyrics justice. My intention was not to try and create a controversy. But if a controversy ensues, then so be it.”
Okay, but did keyboardist Ratliff, of the band Mouthlike, know the kiss was coming? Supposedly not. "He just believes in the spirit of rock & roll, as do I. He’s a really cool open guy. There’s a quote from the movie Velvet Goldmine that we both get a kick out of: ‘Rock & roll is a prostitute — it should be tarted up.’ He believes in that the same way I do.”
Sounds like someone will be hearing from the Parents Television Council, eh?
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I like how queerty has to make sure we know the keyboardist is straight. As if its still a slur to be called, or inferred to be, gay. Or do we need this information so we can jump for joy that there's an accepting breeder on TV (or one who might want to further his own career by doing "outrageous" things).
This morning they're playing Susan Boyle in the offices of Out magazine, and they're talking about that great episode of Matlock on Lifetime last night.
what is the difference between him doing what he did and any of the "straight" performances that end up steamy…who effin' cares. i'm so sick of the this is "gay" and this is "straight" bs. it's sexuality and this country needs to learn to loosen up. we all have a sexuality, admit it or not. i love the freedom he takes on because we should all feel so free.
I dont watch lame awards ceremonies, but did ABC really cut to another shot when they kissed? Would they do that if Daughtry lip-locked with his female guitarist. Um hello, networks–1991 called and they want their attitude back
The director didn't seem to mind Janet Jackson's crotch grabbing or shoving a male dancer's head into her crotch, or all the ridiculous pussy thrusting by the female back up dancers throughout the show. Sorry Adam was sexual, but the female back up dancers throughout the show were very whore-y…but then again it's about pleasing the straight (male) audience.
Adam was "mo" alright. Mo mo than I ever thought I would see him post Idol. I was wrong about him.
I don't care if he's farting the "Star Spangled Banner," I'll be there.
Lousy camera work, lousy lighting, and way lousy sound quality. Also, a little too much choreography, could have used another rehearsal or two. Understandably, after that fall, he was getting a little nervous toward the end and fell back on those vocal flourishes. But his balls were fully on display.
He is a fantastic singer and performer. That is not in question. He always says he likes controversy. Nailed that last night. LOL Doing that the first time on his own will become part of his legend. He'll always have an audience. There'll be me and a bunch of other people who'll want to know, "what the hell is he gonna do?"
wow…this conversation is actually civil! I don't know about you but I actually suffer from hetero-fatigue, that endless stream of moments on television and in movies where I have to watch men and women kiss. So watching Adam last night, in a performance that reminded me of The Rocky Horror Show, when he grabbed the keyboardist and planted a tongue insertion into his mouth, I was very happy. I was happy that America had to see this and boy, if you check any of the right wing blogs they were in huff, not only about Adam, but the whole damn show was near porn for them. And I say: That's right America! Indeed the show itself was horrible beginning with a Janet Jackson who seemed burdened by gravity, slow and cumbersome and not anything like her late agile brother. And what a great time to be dancer, right? OK, so the show seemed like it was choreographed by one person, what is it about the AMA and sound? It's like listening to a program through a soup can and string, and the dancers, ah, the dancers get all sexed up with their leery mouths and groin bumping to a point where it just becomes silly. And the biggest problem was one of no emotion—there was little emotion in these acts, save the Gaga and the Whitney. Adam did gay culture a great service by simply being sexual (think of that lovely couple in Brothers & Sisters with a penis and you'll get what I mean) and for that, he should be congratulated.
Romeo,
To each his own, as they say. I get tired of entertainers who rely on controversy to further their careers. It's understandable when they don't have talent, but when they do have talent, it's a shame to see antics.
And before anyone jumps on me, realize that I'm not saying that Adam kissing another guy is a bad thing or that it should be controversial. I was specifically responding to Romeo's comment about controversy and tuning in to see "what the hell he's gonna do."
No one's jumping on you, Repub. You were always lukewarm to Adam, at best. Some of us were and are passionate about him. Which is a major reason I got so ticked at him about some of the stuff that came up the last few weeks. But he's obviously going to be a roller coaster ride. LOL
BTW: Hope you're not judging his singing ability by that performance last night. He was sabotaged! Listen to the CD.
Incidentally, saw a picture of him getting on a plane after the performance. He was wearing an almost identical outfit to one I wear. Glad to see he's catching up with me! LOL
i dont even have to read this its just so you talk about him and causes shock value didnt you hear lady gaga is rubbing off since they did work together
I applaud Adam. He did what no other gay performer has done to date and that is express his sexuality as openly as heterosexuals. A barrier was broken because of Adam's AMA performance. Cheers!
For those of you who may have missed the AMA’s last night you will probably be hearing about what Adam Lambert did, how Lady Gaga looked and the Janet & Rihanna performances. So I found this great album of pictures for you to see! They are definitely shocking and I wanted to pass on, enjoy!!
http://tinyurl.com/amarecap2009
A reasoned response to "digusted from nowhere interesting" types?
I kissed a boy. And he liked it.
Cherry chapstick had nothing to do with it.
Is that a problem?
It is?
And I should care because?
Do I look like your mother?
Or your wife?
Or your therapist?
Fuck off and bore somebody else!
NEXT!!!
He hasn't said that. At least not in these terms anyway. And he probably shouldn't. I'd just like him to. But that's because I'm a very uppity queen.
The one thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. Ask that Kris guy. He'll tell ya.
new interview after the show about the kiss and adrenalin
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SH.....ic.awards/
The kiss wasn't censored at all. Only the "blow job" was censored, and that was only for the delayed telecast to the west coast. The east saw everything.
As for the performance, maybe it was tacky. But Adam has a point. If it were two females kissing, the media would be saying how hot it was and that no-one really minded.
Do you detect a double standard here?????
Wow – I like almost all the posts here! Mo, two claws up on your post!
Strange – ABC says they didn't censor on the West coast, but apparently they switched around the camera shots to avoid the crotch crunches. I'm glad they kept the kiss. I don't care if Tommy Joe is straight, gay, bi, or asexual – it was hot. The photos are hotter.
pretty silly of him to be trying so hard to shock in order to rake in free publicity. if that's how the gay cultures wants to be perceived… then good for lambert and his gay following. why does gay have to go hand in hand with sexuality??? there really was was no need for the simulated oral sex performance. o_O doesn't he have enough artistic (musically) talent to succeed without having to resort to such classless antics?? and yes, maybe janet jackson got away with a bit of tasteless as well… but please… she's paved her way and lambert is no jackson.
thank god for men like Tom Ford. yum.
Seren: the AMA performance boosted him big time on the sales chart. Adam has always had more than a gay following. Sunday night wasn't raking in free publicity. He took monumental chances. Get with the program, Seren.
His "gay following," Seren? Do you honestly believe that that any artist has only one type of fan? Also Janet Jackson is not a good singer, and nepotism paved her way. Who are you to determine what there is a "need for" anyhow? Finally, good art has always been about shocking culture. Read up on your art history before you spew ignorance.