ADAM Lambert may pile on the guyliner and profess his love for OPI nail polish. Still, the 28-year-old San Diego native is no more extravagantly flamboyant than most when he decides to momentarily vacate his throne as reigning glam king of rock for those moments of normalcy.
In an interview with The Malay Mail, Adam was initially almost curt in his answers, but as he warmed up, the 15-minute phone interview extended to half an hour with Adam breezing through almost every topic raised.
His career since playing bridesmaid to Kris Allen in the eighth season of American Idol, has been one of the most successful talent from the show's alumni , with no signs of letting up.
And in the lead-up to tonight's 'Adam Lambert Glam Nation Tour Live in Malaysia 2010' at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, he shared a little of what to expect from his show, his musical path, the automatic bestowment as a spokesperson of the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) movement, American Idol, why he doesn't take his parents on the road, and why people like Perez Hilton 'outing' gay celebrities are hardly cool.
SEXUALITY AND SENSITIVITY
Calling from Hong Kong, the day before his show there on Tuesday, Adam initially sounded almost too smooth and cool, giving extremely short answers.
"I've never been to Malaysia, but I heard that it's beautiful and can't wait," was his only offering on his stopover of his world tour here.
Can you blame his reluctance to say more after the furore raised by some parties about an openly gay artiste performing here supposedly 'advocating the gay lifestyle?'.
The day after our interview was done, Adam tweeted that, "While I don't believe that my glamnation tour is in any way offensive I have agreed to make a few minor adjustments out of respect for the Malaysian government. Looking forward to a fun show."
He also went on to add that, "Does my show 'promote the gay lifestyle'"? It promotes living ANY lifestyle that includes the freedom to seek love and intimacy. Gay, straight, bi, young or old. It's all inclusive."
And his next and final say on the matter read, "plus, what's THE gay lifestyle? There isn't just one. There are so many different kinds of gay people. We have a variety of different lifestyles. There's not only one lifestyle lived by straight folks. Generalizing...."
Adam however, sounded almost perplexed why his sexuality has come into question.
"There's always a million questions about my sexuality. Which is fine, I have no problem with it, but it's when those are the only questions asked and hardly questions asked on my music that's when I get frustrated.
"I think first and foremost I'm a singer. That's what I do everyday and what I'm here to do. I think that if indirectly I become a role model or a figure associated with the gay and lesbian movement, that's great and I have no problem with it."
The label of a spokesperson of sorts for the LGBT community has come almost unfairly for him.
"I didn't audition for American Idol or sign to a record label to be a spokesperson for the community. I'm not a politician. I'm a musician."
Still, it doesn't mean he's not out, loud and proud just because he's uncomfortable with the burden of being labelled as a gay icon.
"I'm honoured, that's a very flattering thing to be titled. My goal is to entertain people and make music and to proudly be who I am and if that inspires people to do the same then I'm thrilled."
Anyone in his position may have taken it as a blessing, or a curse. For Adam - it simply is a fact and he doesn't see it as working in his favour as opposed to being 'outed' just before the Idol finale.
"You know I don't really look at it that way at all. The way I look at it, is I am who I am. When I was on Idol, it never came up, it wasn't asked, it wasn't a question. After Idol when I was being interviewed, I was asked and I was very open and honest about it.
"It's quite simple. I think people read into it and look deeper into it than what reality is."
For folks like the tabloids, or Perez Hilton (American entertainment blogger) who choose to drag celebrities out of the closet kicking and screaming, Adam merely chooses to shrug at the mention of them.
"That's a tricky thing because I think it's up to the person themselves to out themselves. It's the performer's prerogative."
There is little one can ask Adam Lambert that isn't out there already, and the inevitable one that HAS to be asked is does he get bored of the usual list of questions that he will undeniably face from the media?
"Sometimes it makes me laugh when I do an interview. Every question is one I've answered a million times. And I think to myself, as a journalist, do people go and read previous articles before interviewing me, because their questions would be answered already.
He pondered a moment over the handful of questions that he's been asked over the past year and a half repeatedly.
"The 'best' one is, 'oh we heard you were going to be the lead singer of Queen but you turned it down.'
"Which is A, a rumour and B, I've answered already. So I don't understand why it's still a question." It made his top 10 of questions not to ask him but he reveals there are a lot more, including whether he regretted his performance at the American Music Awards.
"I don't know. There's a lot of them," he laughed, though quick to add that he was enjoying this particular interview. A sigh of relief and nervous laughter followed as Adam loosened up and got more talkative.
THE TOUR, THE ALBUM AND THE FUTURE
After 75 shows in the United States, and now in Asia, followed by Europe, Adam said that his show tonight, would not be much different from the shows in the States.
It won't be gimmicky, he said, "but the concept is definitely, there - I've taken all the music from For Your Entertainment and some covers and basically I am trying to tell the story of the search for love, which I think is universal and everybody can relate to."
Throughout his tour, he shared that he's gauged his fans to be probably mostly girls and their mothers.
"That's what I'm used to... with a couple of boys here and there," he laughed.
To his Malaysian fans coming out tonight for the show, Adam's message is clear.
"Put on some glitter and get ready to enjoy yourself and have a great time.
"It's a really fun show. It ranges from light-hearted to deep and touching to sexy and trippy. I worked very hard to create a show that had different types of music as a person and as an artiste."
Unlike some previous disappointments that have come to our shores, be glad that Adam will not even bother with lip-syncing.
On performers that do, Adam said "they're still entertaining."
"It's not my thing. I'm a singer first and foremost before I'm anything else. For me singing is what I do, that's what I focus on.
Adam promised not to shortchange his fans with lip-syncing.
"I love my fans. If it weren't for fans like that who were so dedicated to what I do, I wouldn't be here.
"So I'm very, very, very thankful and I appreciate their support."
Visually, Adam promised to bring it.
He may not have a set-up like the Haus Of Gaga which develops his visual aesthetics but all Adam needs is himself.
"I work with a stylist to get the costumes for my show and I do a lot of my own shopping."
Still it has worked from day one. Remember his haunting performance of Mad World on Idol? Entirely his own ideas on staging.
In fact, the idea was copied recently by Aiden Grimshaw that took his to the finals of X Factor, which got praises from Simon Cowell, just as Adam's presentation did.
Adam was unaware of the copycat attempt but took imitation as a form of flattery.
"I didn't know that.
"I take it as a compliment if someone liked something and wanted to do it the same way."
As an entertainer he describes himself as "a little bit subversive".
"And I also think that I like to inspire joy and empowerment and confidence. And for people that listen to my music, I hope they walk away feeling that way. And I hope that they dance."
For those who have a copy of his album, For Your Entertainment, they would agree immediately that's what Adam's music does for them.
But is it really him, or a production of the pop factory?
"All the songs on there are songs I can relate to. Some of which I wrote, some of which were written for me, but all of them represent elements of my personality."
And before you can reach for the wax to spike your do, another album in looming on the horizon.
"I'm going to start writing one in the winter after I'm done touring," said Adam.
And while there are no collaborations in the pipeline for a new effort, Adam said he would love to sing with Christina Aguilera.
He has no idea of what direction he will take for his next outing.
"I don't even know yet, I haven't started working on it, so I have no idea. I definitely am listening to current pop music. I do follow the trends . But I think that one of the coolest things about my experience is that in some ways it was an experiment and I'm like ''I don't know how all this is going to go.'"
Still, that resulted in two huge hits in What Do You Want From Me and If I Had You with a touch of his influences.
"Now I know that there's a sound and a style that people like and may associate with me so I'll probably go further down that route.
"I have a handful of pop musicians that always seem to perform well and put out good music. Current people like Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Justin Timberlake. There's a list of them.
"Back in the day it was Michael Jackson and Madonna. Further back it was David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix. I have a huge list of influences..."
Will his image take a change, sans guyliner perhaps, or maybe campier?
"I don't know. It depends on my mood. And ultimately what it depends on more than anything is the song that I'm singing.
"When I did the What Do You Want From Me video, there were a lot of set-ups where I wasn't wearing a lot of make-up because the video was supposed to be of me just hanging out at home. And I don't wear full eye make-up when I'm just kickin' it at home. It's not part of the experience hanging out at home in the day. It kind of depends on the mood and tone of the song."
There is no pressure for him to up the ante as Adam revealed it's not about topping what he's done.
"It's just about making music. Possibly changing direction? Who knows?"
One thing's for sure, rule out country.
"Definitely unlikely that I'd try country," he guffawed.
Discussions on music seem to get Adam more talkative and we set off on talking about today's sounds.
"I think genre in essence is a very gray thing, it doesn't really make sense to me because so much of what you hear on Top 40 radio is a bunch of different genres.
"My music is a little pop, rock, dance... I think genre is becoming irrelevant."
And his eclectic taste, which isn't really so - as most of us do listen to a mish-mash of stuff put out - is translated into his unique take which results in good music.
"I love dance music, electronic, rock, real guitars, real drums, real bass, real piano.. but I also like synthesizers and I also like a good beat, something that makes me feel good.
"The sound for now definitely is electronic but I actually think that was kind of this past year."
He almost predicts the direction Top 40 radio will take - with more organic sounds being his top pick as a choice among his peers.
"I think the next wave is kind of wanting to go a little more organic. I mean it's definitely hot but I hear a lot more guitars now and again for the first time in a while.
"I mean it's definitely the club tracks but there are a lot of songs that are more organic. There's BoB, Bruno Mars, Train and even Katy Perry's new stuff which are poppy and have guitar riffs in it... it's definitely fluctuating. ""
Meanwhile, one question that has been on the mind of most fans is will Adam appear on Glee?
"I don't know. Ask the producers or director. I don't have the answer to that.
"That would be cool though. If they wanted to work together, I would enjoy that. It's a great show."
An attempt at the small screen or the silver screen would indeed pose a challenge for the stage actor, as he shared.
"I'd definitely be interested in that. I did theatre for about 10 years in Los Angeles and a little bit in Europe.
"Getting back into acting would be very exciting and something that would make sense for me. I don't have any immediate plans but maybe something will come up."
No offers have come in at the moment, but for Adam his interest in television was a challenge he was keen on.
"I think I'd like to try on-screen because I've never really done much of that, I've done a lot of theatre and I'm not saying I won't do more, but I'd like to do something new.
"It would be tricky, and it would be kind of up to the character. It would probably be something similar to me."
Do not expect him to have his own reality show though.
"I am kind of open to the Press when I do interviews. But I don't know how comfortable I'd be having cameras following me in my real life.
"I feel it's already a challenge to maintain any sense of normalcy in the first place, and I think that would make it very hard."
For at least an iota of a sense of being 'normal', Adam doesn't want to make things harder in dealing with fame.
"It's definitely put up some challenges. I definitely had a private life since I was on TV and I'm continuing that.
"I make the most out of the time I have. My brother is one of the production assistants, he helps out with the tour so he's on tour right now too."
Despite his love for his family, one thing he rules out is bringing his folks on tour.
"No, I don't think I really need to. The way I look at all this stuff is that it is an adventure. But it is my job, this is what I do for a living and I don't know many people who take their parents to work."
ADAM MITCHEL LAMBERT
"I miss my anonymity," confessed Adam. "I miss being able to go anywhere and not be recognised.
"Now it's like almost anywhere I go, I'm stopped and pictures are taken and it's always very sweet and the people that want to take pictures are very friendly and I appreciate it but sometimes I wish I was just normal."
Normal? Adam?
"No, that's just funny! When I'm onstage my persona is very flamboyant and eccentric. But in real life, when I'm not performing, I'm a pretty normal guy. I still have an eccentric fashion taste, but I'm not wearing shoulder pads. I'm more of a T-shirt and jeans kind of guy."
It is too tempting to ask if he has someone as he sings as if he did.
"I have all my family and my friends and that's really what the song means to me. It's about people that I love in my life who have inspired me to be who I am."
While it doesn't answer whether he's available or not, it is enough to go on to ask him if he would trade the fame, fortune and such to just be with the 'you' he refers to.
"I don't know. I would love to trade it like maybe for a couple of weeks, but not permanently."
And why should he? He's worked his rear off to get where he is. Does he think he belongs at this point of where he is in his career?
"I do. I think we are all given skills and gifts that we have to work with in life and I think we are set on paths and things are set in motion for a reason.
"And I think that I was born to be a performer and that everything in my life has led up to this part of my career and everything I've learned has prepared me for it and I am where I'm supposed to be."
And how long does he foresee going on?
"I don't know. As long as everybody will have me really.
"I think you just have to keep making good music, keep people entertained, and it doesn't get more complicated than that. If people want to keep hearing my music and they keep buying it and I'm continually offered the opportunity... then I'll stay. If I turn around one day and no one really wants to hear me and I'm irrelevant, I'll be like 'OK, time's up! Next!'"
IDOL AND THE PAP TEST
American Idol took a blow when Paula Abdul left the show, and the next season will be a litmus test to see if it can survive without Simon and Kara.
"It will be fine," said Adam.
"I think they did a great job getting J. Lo and Steven Tyler on because they're really exciting people. I think people tune in to the show because of the contestants. So as long as they get some good contestants people will keep tuning in.
"There's tonnes of talent. Tonnes of talented people, they just need to grab them."
Still, despite the success of the show, most of the former Idol alumni have not performed in the real world.
"I'm lucky. The way I look at the show, it's a combination of the show being very powerful and having very clever producers and marketing.
"I think the people that get on the show, in my experience, have to run with the opportunity given. And if you're lucky enough to get put on American Idol, it's a great chance, you have the huge platform to perform in front of millions of people every week."
And the rest depends on good old hard work, and some luck.
"You've got to take that opportunity, seize it and work it to your advantage. And that's the way I looked at it. I wanted to get as far as I could, play the game - it is a competition, but at the same time, show the world what I was capable of, what type of performer I was - and I think I got to do that.
"And I got signed to a major label and now I'm making music. I got my wish."
And the wish comes with some heavy responsibility.
Try the paparazzi which Adam had a run into last month.
"It's interesting. I have a love hate relationship. Obviously they're just trying to do their job, they're trying to get pictures for the magazines that everybody's buying.
"There is a demand for what they do. But sometimes it can be invasive and they can get a bit too aggressive and really don't have any manners."
The incident where he was accused of misdemeanour battery after a scuffle with a photographer was an eye-opener.
"I think with my incident last month, I sat there and gladly let them photograph me for about 45 minutes. I'm like 'Didn't you get what you needed, can I just sit here and relax now?'
"That's the thing about being a celebrity. The general public feels like 'Oh well, you're a celebrity, that's just tough, you have to deal with it. And you don't have any right to privacy'. And I disagree with that."
He said he knew what his job was, and it didn't include encroaching his privacy.
"I think that my duty as a celebrity, as an entertainer, when I'm on I'm here to entertain you - I want to do my job, I want you to smile, and I want to make great music and I want you to dance and enjoy yourself.
"But shouldn't I have some sort of right not to be on all the time? I think I do."
ADAM Lambert performs at Stadium Putra as part of his Glam Nation World Tour brought to you by Marctensia.
For information, visit http://www.marctensia.com.
Adam Lambert's album For Your Entertainment is available in all music stores from Sony Music Malaysia. For details, head on to http://sonymusic.com.my.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/52239-adam-glams-our-nation-tonight
