In the past year, Adam Lambert has released his third studio album, The Original High, taken a (temporary) seat at the judging table of American Idol (where he got his ‘big break’) and toured the world with Queen. Not bad for someone who’s launch into mainstream music didn’t exactly go as planned.
After finishing second on the eighth season of the US talent show in 2009, Lambert was ready to début his own music and release his first album, For Your Entertainment, by performing the title track as the closing number of the American Music Awards that year. However, the performance – which saw Lambert kiss the keyboardist and provocatively dance with one of his backup dancers – was mired in controversy and the shows broadcaster not only received thousands of complaints, but they also pulled his performance on Good Morning America the following day.
This saw the song relegated to the sidelines, and instead pushed forward the release and promotion of second single “Whataya Want From Me” – which got Lambert his first Grammy nomination. In hindsight this may have been a good thing but the song was the début for a purpose – this was Lambert in his own way. Not simply singing a song in his own way, but his own song. A taste cut short for fans wanting to see what he would bring as a solo artist but a taste not to be forgotten anytime soon.
Words by Megan Roxburgh