Adam Lambert's comments re: his musical theater career

[4getmenot]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 9:29pm

From his Idol press conference:
Theater’s what he does, not what he IS…, “In certain ways, there’s certain elements of the theater training that could be detrimental to the ‘Idol’ experience because that’s not really the sound I’m going for–I’m not going for a Broadway sound. But this is finally allowing me to be myself. I mean, I don’t listen to show tunes in my spare time. I can assure you of that (laughs). The musical theater thing was just kind of the way that I was paying the bills. I mean, we all gotta have a job, right?”
Source: http://mjsbigblog.com/adam-lambert-allison-araheta-and-kris-allen-press-conference.htm
(reputed AI blog)


Just a way of paying bills eh? I mean I am a fan of any Wicked alumna. And I do hope he makes it as a recording artist. But if he ever has to go to another Broadway audition, I would love to be the one sitting across the table from him...

Updated On: 3/1/09 at 09:29 PM

[Brick]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 9:49pm

I've known him for a long time and his recording career has always been his primary goal. Yes, even while doing WICKED.

He's stupendously talented and I hope IDOL launches him to where he belongs.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 9:52pm

Idol is the road to Broadway..... He'll be back.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:02pm

"Idol is the road to Broadway..... He'll be back."

Amen. And who says he can't do both?

But honestly, from the clips I have seen from him in WICKED and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, he is much better suited as a recording artist than in musical theatre.

[4getmenot]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:22pm

Exactly! Why can't he both? But no he has to "distance" himself from his MT roots to get votes. He is making it like having a "theatre voice" is a dirty word in the recording industry.

[dg22894]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:27pm

He can do both.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:28pm

Who does his hair?
It's yucky.

[Kevn520]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:41pm

He looks incredible fake to me. The hair, makeup, anc clothes seem incredibly overdone.

[Annas_Priest]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:44pm

you are all just jealous that you cannot sing anything like him

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:46pm

Hopefully if he wins he will go to a dermatologist because he needs it.

He was very good as the Fieyro understudy in WICKED though, very talented singer. I hate when people knock musical theatre though, considering you actually HAVE to be able to sing for the most part, live, night after night. A recording artist is more of a look and the business of selling something, many times these artists can't even sing...such a Taylor Swift...their vocals are just fixed via computer and sold on a CD as "talent".

Adam is very talented, and I hope he gets far on American Idol. But he must remember to be nice to those on the way up, because he might be seeing them again on the way down. Not everyone wants to be famous and have a recording conract. Many just want to be on stage. That is their calling, so he should choose his words carefully. It's a bit arrogant for him to say that, basically, playing the male lead in WICKED was just a way to pay the bills and really, beneath him. Most would be thrilled to play the male (or female) lead in ANY popular musical.
Updated On: 2/28/09 at 10:46 PM

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:53pm

"He is making it like having a "theatre voice" is a dirty word in the recording industry."

Isn't it? I haven't watched AI in years but I remember Simon critiqued people as being too "Broadway". And it's probably not the best move on AI to talk about how much you love theatre or any other professional avenues. To win, you act as if live, eat and breathe the recording industry and that if you lose, you have no backup plan

[4getmenot]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 11:31pm

Well I'll take "too Broadway" over "like a bar singer" or "you are too fat" any day from Simon, but that's getting off-topic :) And I seem to recall that most of the contestants who Simon criticized as being too theatrical ended up doing quite well.

It's just that when you read interviews with Broadway actors, they gush about the thrill of performing on a live stage or their emotional connections with their characters. It seems to be a stark contrast to the "it's just a job" comment. While I do hope he makes it as a recording artist, I am pointing out how his very much publicized slash at being in musical theater might hurt his chances of getting future roles (in case the CDs don't sell)

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 11:48pm

I agree with FlyingMonkey. There was no reason for him to say "It was just a way to pay the bills"

I get a little over worked over Hollywood vs. Broadway. But, some recording "artists" really need to get over themselves and realize that Hollywood is not the only place for people with "talent".

[snowskittle]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:36am

I remember being startled when, during several past episodes of Idol, Randy and Simon sometimes commented that someone wasn't right for this competition, but might be ok for Broadway.

What? I wonder if they have any idea how much time, effort, talent and tears go into trying for a theatrical career, and how many never make if there, even many with very, very good voices.

It seemed that it was they really felt Broadway was just the poor step-child of the music industry. Somewhere where the loosers might get a second chance.

Is this the way the industry sees it?

[KingKong]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:40am

Adam lambert is clearly a douche. Between the make up (OMG I why does he feel the need to wear more make than Zac Efron and Miley Cyrus combined?) and that line about "just paying the bills". T he arrogance of that, is he not away of how many people WOULD KILL to be able to pay the bills by acting in theatre?

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:43am

He is an ass to burn ANY bridge.

"In certain ways, there’s certain elements of the theater training that could be detrimental to the ‘Idol’ experience..."

Just ask Constantine Maroulis. Idol packaged him as "the rocker" and he continually tried to break out of the box by trying to show he had more sides and continually took sh** for being a "poseur."

He may be a lot of things, and I'm sure he'd also like a big rock star recording career, but he has always been open and proud of his theater background and has said Broadway is his dream come true.

I'm sure Lambert has a clue about how that worked out for Constantine with Idol and his recording career, and is trying his best to avoid similar fate. He'll maintain he's a rocker until Musicals Night when he won't be able to help himself by singing like Patti LuPone on steroids.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:46am

Be aware that his Mom and Dad have lots of money, and have made sure he has had top-notch vocal/acting/dance training since he was very young. But I must agree..my goodness...what is with all the makeup? He is a very handsome guy, but he looks like he is getting ready for buriel with all that crap on his face! And the black hair with black eyeliner and wearing all black....good grief guy!

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:49am

I could clearly see he was giving theatre the finger by sticking out his tongue every time he sings. Oh wait, that's his technique.

His whole look, sound and attitude is just irritating. Another arrogant Hollywood turkey who's too overly polished and busy enjoying the sound of his own voice to give way to any artistic integrity.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:50am

He isn't going to have ANYTHING to fall on after he drops from IDOL like a lead balloon. You guys are just haters, he dresses like that to express his SOUL.

..... sarcasm

Updated On: 3/1/09 at 12:50 AM

[4getmenot]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 1:33am

Seeing him on TV, I barely recognized the Fiyero that made me "swoon" time and time again no matter which actor had been playing the role. He's certainly not going for the heart throb image.
This is just a theory (one that I am hoping not to get jumped on over). Wicked's 1st national tour cast opened with two Fiyero understudies: Cliffton Hall and Nicholas Dromard. A 3rd member of the ensemble Kyle McDaniel was promoted to a Fiyero cover roughly before him on Broadway, I think. Now given that Adam Lambert can undoubtedly belt, the fact that he was fourth/fifth in line to play Fiyero tells me that the acting and/or the fine nuances weren't all there? I am just trying to gauge his chance of success on Broadway before Idol came along, for curiosity sake.
And the whole "oh I don't listen to musical theater in my spare time". I wasn't aware, with Spring Awakening and In the Heights cast recordings selling so well these days, it was still "uncool" for the average joe to be listening to show tunes. He's reinforcing that stereotype that Rod from Avenue Q projects from the beginning of "If you were gay". Sorry if I am ranting - it's just that every sentence he said is bothering me today.

[withoutlove2]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 1:45am

^ Exactly! I was obsesed with Adam here in th LA production. I mean so obssesed with the show and of course him.But know with these comments, I seriously can't vote for him, and I don't like him anymore.

Its sad he's putting theater down.For the majority of people who know theater or try to be on bway, their means of paying the bills is getting some 2nd job so that they can fulfill their dreams of being onstage.

I don't see sutton foster saying that she performs just so she can "pay the bills."

Pathetic

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 1:47am

Being "too Broadway" isn't an insult.

The style of singing associated with musical theatre is much different than that normally used in popular music, thats all they are saying. Its not an insult, its merely a statement. It's like being "too country" or "too hip-hop."

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 2:03am

It really just depends on what show you are doing...some musicals are more pop-oriented, others...more chamber music oriented, a few rock oriented. To say "you sound too Broadway" really makes little sense in the grand scheme of things. I assume when the term is used in the way Simon uses it he means "you sounds like you should be a community dinner theatre singer" or something along that lines.
Updated On: 3/1/09 at 02:03 AM

[wizard2joe]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 2:11am

How can he let down theatre
hes been doing theatre since hes was like 5
i know because he was in the same theatre group thing with me
that is a little weird?
I don think he ment it like that but idk

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 2:45am

He's always seemed like a douche to me. Anyone who spends that much time primping and picking out the perfect tattered jeans is just a douche. Obviously he's trying to force an image that isn't him, or if it is him it sure as hell ain't working.