12th entry - The First Gay American Idol?

Article from Yahoo News, 1 May 2009:

Could Adam Lambert be first gay "American Idol"?



LOS ANGELES - Adam Lambert wears eyeliner and diamond stud earrings, sings like a dream and has won a rare standing ovation from tough-minded judge Simon Cowell.

With three weeks to go before the "American Idol" final, Lambert, 27, is favored to win the No. 1 U.S. television talent show and become, possibly, the first gay or bisexual singer to be handed the "Idol" title by millions of Americans.

Lambert, praised by "Idol" judges for taking risks with songs like Cher's "Believe", has never publicly confirmed his sexual preference, nor has he denied speculation about being gay -- a striking contrast to 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken.

When photos showing him kissing other men and dressed in drag circulated on the Internet last month, Lambert said simply: "I have nothing to hide. I am who I am."



Lambert ended in the bottom two for the first time on Wednesday night, but viewers have so far shown little sign of caring about his ambiguous sexual orientation.

An army of "Glambert" fans cheer him on, vote for him weekly and have made him the favorite to win.

"Some people are saying, wouldn't it be amazing that in the same year that the first African-American president took office in the U.S., we also elected the first gay and/or bisexual 'American Idol'," said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University in New York.



"I don't think that's comparable. Rather than being surprised, I am thinking 'Wow, have we really got this far without having one yet?'"

Gender-bender stars are nothing new in the music business -- Elton John, Prince and the androgynous Boy George. Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell are openly lesbian, and while TV stars like Neil Patrick Harris have come out as homosexual, Hollywood awaits its first huge gay male star.

"American Idol" may just give it to U.S. music fans. The show has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States in the last eight years and is as much a popularity contest as a talent show. The audience that averages 26.3 million viewers weekly has shown an openness to embrace everyone from 8 to 80 years old -- and it's the viewers who vote to decide who wins.

Aiken, the 2003 runner-up, dodged questions about his homosexuality for five years before publicly acknowledging in 2008 that he was gay.

Lambert, who donned a white silk suit and diamond ear studs for the show this week, is more flamboyant in his dress, vocal style and performances than most -- if not all -- contestants.

"Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi called him "confusing, shocking, over the top, theatrical -- but I like it!"

I went through several blogs and found comments from fans who love him "even though he's gay" etc., but by and large I found it heartening that most fans love him for who he is: a top-rate entertainer, a darn good singer and a Glam-rocker. The fact that he is homosexual is besides the point. I've always believed that Americal Idol is a competition for vocal talent, not so much for character or personality or any other aspect of the singer's life (unless it interferes with the ability to entertain or perform).



When asked about his sexual orientation, Adam replied, "I am who I am." I hope Christians will not find this offensive (it is taken from scripture) and homophobic fans wont withdraw their support of him. To me, from a celebrity starting out his career in an unforgiving (even brutal) industry, these words come across as brave, unpretentious and "in-your-face" rebellious - "whether you like it or not, I wont deny any part of me just to please you; I wont succumb to public pressure".
could have said. For this as much as his fabulous vocal talent, Adam has my deepest respect.



Another American Idol star who came out later in his career was Clay Aiken. Compared to many celebrities who go to great lengths to conceal their sexual orientation, I think he is considered quite courageous and honest. I wonder whether he will become unpopular because of his public admission, but from the comments made by many of his fans, they dont seem to mind very much. Similarly, I hope that Adam will also not lose his appeal because of his sexual orientation.