Re: C'mon, why is no one giving Adam Lambert credit for his performance?
I think that we can all concur that his vocal delivery was very uneven (especially, having in count the very high standards that he has set himself), and that the whole performance was clumsily executed. It was also a bit of a tacky display of exhibitionism, and very exploitative. Fine. Many singers have done similar things a million times, not I don't hear anyone moaning about them behaving in an inappropriate manner.
Elvin, male singers from Justin Timberlake, Usher, Chris Brown to various boy bands, enact sexual acts in their choreographies with their female dancers, and I'm still waiting to hear anyone's complaints. So, Adam simulated oral sex with a man and a woman... I suppose that there must be a world of difference from rubbing your crotch against a female dancer's buttocks or pelvic area, because Adam is being crucified for doing this, while heterosexual singers are seen as simply following dance steps.
Second, Adam doesn't have to exclusively do things that relate to his homosexuality. People are already fixated enough on it and, if he wants to play with ambiguity in his performances, he is more than welcome to do so. Mediocre artists like David Bowie have been playing with the notion of bisexuality for the entirety of their careers, and I'm still waiting for anyone to become hysterical about what they do... Even when their voices are barely acceptable and their songs are worse than awful.
As for Elton John, George Michael, Gately et al, they didn't even come out of the closet until they were very well established, or were forced to do so. Adam has embraced his sexuality and wants to express it, but he doesn't want people to see him as the "Official Gay Poster Boy" or solely as a gay man. That was what the problem he had with OUT magazine was about; although I must admit that both parties handled it childishly at best. Still, there's nothing wrong with his intentions. And please, don't come to me saying that a raging, hysterical bitch like Elton John or a pathetic nutcase like George Michael (who, by the way, tried to deny his sexual orientation until the last moment) have any class whatsoever.
Adam is our brother, just as every other gay man is, because he is a part of our community and is exposed to the same prejudices and has to face the same struggles. Only, in his case, he also has to endure criticism from gay people for not opening his veins and offering his blood in the Altar of Activism. He has a right to express his identity as a gay man without the need of making a political speech out of his entire existence.
Salemite, Stacy and CoolGuy - Adam isn't an angel. Most artists are not in the way in which they present themselves to the public. It's called marketing. Maybe it isn't something ideal, but that's the reality of life. Adam doesn't have the obligation to fulfill your expectations and be the saint you want him to be. Also, most people who want to become famous are starved for attention. At least Adam does deserve the fame he has achieved so far, because he has a truly amazing voice. And yes, in an industry full of pathetic individuals who sell millions thanks to an image (that they don't even bother to cultivate, such as in the case of the repugnant Britney Spears), Adam has a right to be as arrogant as he wants. After all, he DOES possess an incredible talent, and can overshadow practically every successful singer nowadays, male or female. In fact, he sings soprano FAR better than Christina Aguilera, Céline Dion and Mariah Carey put together.
Lexington, I agree with you in that his performance wasn't exactly wonderful and the song is rather awful. His album has far better songs that would have made an impressive first single. However, he was giving a show, and that doesn't necessarily correlate to the content of a song. If we criticized singers based on how the videos/choreographies they make for their songs are not related in any way to the lyrics of said songs, we would never stop complaining. I'm not saying that what he did was tasteful or even original. I've also never implied that you're expressing any internalized homophobia by disliking what he did. However, I do think that most people (including you), are overreacting. He did what many people do to get attention; only he did it clumsily. OK, every one of us can have a bad day. Many singers do. Why can't Adam be forgiven?
