Adam Lambert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adam Lambert
Lambert performing with Queen + Adam Lambert in 2017
Born	Adam Mitchel Lambert (1982-01-29) January 29, 1982 (age 43) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter actor
Years active	2001–present
Musical career
Origin	San Diego, California, U.S.
Genres	Pop pop rock dance electronic
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	19 RCA Warner Empire Warner Music Group/EastWest
Signature

Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is famous for his powerful singing and exciting stage performances. Adam Lambert became well-known in 2009 after he was the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol.

Later that year, he released his first album, For Your Entertainment. This album was very popular, reaching number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. One of its songs, "Whataya Want from Me", even earned him a Grammy nomination.

In 2012, Adam Lambert released his second album, Trespassing. This album made history by reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. In 2015, his third album, The Original High, also did very well, reaching number three on the Billboard 200. It included the hit song "Ghost Town". Since 2009, he has sold millions of albums and singles around the world.

Besides his solo music, Adam Lambert has toured with the famous band Queen since 2012. Their first album together, Live Around the World, came out in October 2020 and was number one in the UK.

Adam Lambert also acts. He made his Broadway debut in 2024, playing the Emcee in the musical Cabaret.

Early Life and School

Adam Lambert was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 29, 1982. His mother, Leila, was a dental hygienist, and his father, Eber, was a program manager. Soon after he was born, his family moved to San Diego, California. He has a younger brother named Neil.

Adam started performing when he was nine years old with a group called Metropolitan Educational Theatre network. As he grew older, he took more acting and singing lessons. He performed in many school plays and sang with his high school's jazz band. He also appeared in local professional shows like Hello, Dolly! and Grease.

After finishing high school in 2000, he went to California State University, Fullerton to study musical theater. However, he left after only five weeks to move to Los Angeles. He wanted to start working in the entertainment world right away.

Music Career

Early Years (2001–2008)

Adam Lambert got his first professional job at 19, singing on a cruise ship for ten months. After that, he performed in light opera shows. By age 21, he was cast in a European tour of the musical Hair.

He also appeared in other stage productions, including The Ten Commandments: The Musical with Val Kilmer. From 2005 to 2008, he was an understudy for the role of Fiyero in the musical Wicked. During this time, he also sang with a rock band called The Citizen Vein.

American Idol and First Album (2009–2011)

Lambert at Mt. Carmel High School

In 2009, Adam Lambert auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol. He impressed the judges with his powerful voice and unique style. Throughout the competition, he performed many memorable songs, including "Black or White" by Michael Jackson and "Mad World" by Tears for Fears. Judge Simon Cowell even gave him a standing ovation for his performance of "Mad World".

Adam Lambert finished as the runner-up on American Idol. After the show, he released his first studio album, For Your Entertainment, on November 23, 2009. The album was a big success, selling many copies and featuring songs written by famous artists like Lady Gaga. The song "Whataya Want from Me" became a worldwide hit and earned him a Grammy nomination.

Lambert singing the American national anthem during his visit to MCAS Miramar (2009)

In 2010, Adam Lambert started his first big concert tour, called the Glam Nation Tour. He performed 113 shows in the United States, Europe, and Asia. A live recording of his Indianapolis show was released as Glam Nation Live, which was very popular. In November 2011, he joined the band Queen as the lead singer at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Trespassing and Queen Tours (2012–2013)

Lambert performing on tour in Kyiv, Ukraine, in March 2013

Adam Lambert's second album, Trespassing, was released on May 15, 2012. It received good reviews and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. This was a big achievement for him. The album's second single, "Never Close Our Eyes", was written by Bruno Mars.

In the summer of 2012, Adam Lambert performed across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. He also began a special collaboration tour with Queen, starting with a big concert in Kyiv, Ukraine. Critics praised his singing and stage presence, noting how well his voice blended with Queen's music.

In October 2012, Adam Lambert appeared in a Halloween episode of the TV series Pretty Little Liars, performing two songs from Trespassing. He also performed in South Africa and at the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong.

In 2013, Adam Lambert started the We Are Glamily Tour, performing in Asia and Europe. He won the "Favorite International Artist" award at the Chinese Music Awards in Macau. He also appeared as a guest judge on Chinese Idol.

The Original High and More Queen (2014–2018)

Lambert and May on the Queen + Adam Lambert tour 2014

In 2014, Adam Lambert returned to American Idol as a guest mentor. He also became a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.

Adam Lambert began touring extensively with Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen in June 2014. The Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2014–2015 was very successful, with many sold-out shows. Their performances were praised for the band's musical talent and Adam Lambert's amazing voice and stage presence. In 2015, they continued their tour in Europe and the UK. Queen + Adam Lambert were named "Band of the Year" at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards. They also performed a special New Year's Eve concert in London.

On January 15, 2015, Adam Lambert was a guest judge on American Idol auditions. He also announced that he had signed with Warner Bros. Records and was working on a new album.

His third album, The Original High, was released in 2015. The lead single, "Ghost Town", was a big hit. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and number eight in the UK. The The Original High Tour began in January 2016, with shows in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Europe.

In 2016, Adam Lambert became a judge on The X Factor Australia. He also co-starred in The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again, a TV movie.

Queen + Adam Lambert started a new worldwide tour in June 2017. They appeared on TV shows like The Late Late Show with James Corden. Adam Lambert also released a new song called "Two Fux", which was included in their live shows.

In May 2018, Adam Lambert announced a 10-show residency in Las Vegas with Queen + Adam Lambert, called "The Crown Jewels". He also performed a duet with Ledisi on A Very Wicked Halloween, celebrating 15 years of Wicked on Broadway.

Velvet and Recent Work (2019–Present)

In January 2019, Adam Lambert appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden. In February, he sang "Blue Suede Shoes" on an Elvis Presley tribute show.

Adam Lambert voiced Emperor Maximus in the animated film Playmobil: The Movie in 2019. Queen and Adam Lambert announced a big tour for North America, called The Rhapsody Tour, which ran from July to August 2019.

He released the song "Feel Something" in February 2019, which was the first song from his fourth album, Velvet. On February 24, 2019, Adam Lambert and Queen opened the 91st Academy Awards with a powerful performance. They also released a documentary about their collaboration called The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story.

In May 2019, Adam Lambert released "New Eyes", the main single from Velvet. He performed it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The album Velvet was released in two parts, with Side A coming out in September 2019. Critics praised the album for its confidence and strong vocals.

In September 2019, Adam Lambert and Queen headlined the Global Citizen Festival in New York City, which aimed to fight poverty and climate change. In December, he performed at a tribute concert for Avicii to support mental health awareness.

In February 2020, Adam Lambert released the song "Roses" with Nile Rodgers. The Velvet Tour was planned but faced delays. Queen and Adam Lambert released "You Are the Champions" in April 2020, with money going to the World Health Organization for COVID-19 relief. Their first live album, Live Around the World, was released in October 2020 and reached number one in the UK.

In 2021, Adam Lambert voiced characters in animated series like A Tale Dark & Grimm. He also performed in Las Vegas. In 2022, he became a judge on the talent show Starstruck.

In February 2023, Adam Lambert released his fifth album, High Drama, which is a collection of cover songs. It reached number five on the UK Albums Chart. He performed songs from the album on shows like The Voice and America's Got Talent: All-Stars.

Queen + Adam Lambert continued their Rhapsody Tour in North America in October 2023. In February 2024, Adam Lambert was announced as a judge on the thirteenth season of The Voice Australia. In March 2024, he voiced characters in Megamind Rules! and Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.

In July 2024, it was announced that Adam Lambert would take on the role of the Emcee in the Broadway production of Cabaret starting September 16.

Singing Style

Lambert performing with Queen in Toronto (2014)

Many critics and other artists have praised Adam Lambert's singing. Record producer Rob Cavallo said Adam has an amazing vocal range, meaning he can sing very high and very low notes. Singer Meat Loaf compared Adam's voice to famous singers like Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.

Brian May, the guitarist for Queen, said Adam's voice has "sensitivity, depth, maturity, and awesome range and power." Roger Taylor, Queen's drummer, added that Adam has "the best range I've ever heard." Singer Pharrell Williams also noted that Adam's voice is like a "siren" because of its unique sound.

In 2012, it was reported that Adam Lambert had insured his voice for $48 million, showing how valuable his singing is.

Style and Look

Lambert performing with Queen in Las Vegas (2014)

Adam Lambert is known for his exciting stage presence and careful attention to his look. He uses fashion and imagery to express himself and connect with his audience. During American Idol, his unique style caught everyone's attention. Fashion experts noticed his bold choices, comparing him to artists like Lady Gaga for pushing style boundaries.

He has appeared on the covers of many magazines, including fashion and culture publications. In 2015, he was featured on the cover of Billboard magazine's "Music's Men of Style" issue. He talked about how his style has become more classic over time.

Influences

Adam Lambert was inspired by his father's collection of 1970s music. He loved theatrical rock from bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith. He also looks up to British singers such as Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, and Robert Plant. Adam calls Michael Jackson and Madonna "King and Queen" because they combined music with fashion and videos. He also finds inspiration in Christina Aguilera's vocals.

Adam Lambert's own music is influenced by many styles, including classic rock, pop, and electronic music. His performance style comes from his extensive experience on stage. He likes to create a full experience with his music, including the song, the beat, a story, and a unique look. For his second album, he was inspired by classic disco, 1990s electronic music, funk, and dubstep.

Helping Others

Charity Work

Since his time on American Idol, Adam Lambert has supported many charities. By October 2011, his efforts had raised over $1,000,000.

In January 2010, for his 28th birthday, he asked fans to donate to DonorsChoose.org, which helps fund classroom projects. Fans donated over $322,700. He continued to work with DonorsChoose.org, raising more money for classrooms. He also helped MusiCares, a charity that supports musicians.

In 2011, he started a campaign for his 29th birthday to raise money for charity: water, which provides clean water to people. This campaign raised over $323,803, helping many people get clean water. He continued these efforts for his 30th and 31st birthdays.

Adam Lambert performed at a concert in June 2012 to benefit the Rays Of Sunshine Children's Charity. He also joined Elton John and Queen + Adam Lambert for a concert to fight HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. In September 2012, he headlined a fundraiser for Marylanders for Marriage Equality.

In January 2013, he received the Unity Award from the We Are Family Foundation for his music's peaceful messages. He also performed at the Life Ball in Vienna, a big charity event. In June, he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" for Broadway Bares, which helps Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

In 2014, he was part of UNICEF's #IMAGINE campaign. He also worked with Queen and Coca-Cola for the [RED] campaign to help end mother-to-child HIV transmission. In July 2016, he participated in the charity song "Hands", a tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

In August 2017, Adam Lambert performed a tribute to George Michael at the Project Angel Food's Angel Awards gala. He continues to work with Project Angel Food, helping to deliver meals to those in need. In July 2021, he helped raise $1.1 million for Project Angel Food during a telethon.

Social Activism

Lambert at the 21st GLAAD Media Awards (2010)

Adam Lambert uses his fame to support important causes. He believes that with visibility, there is a responsibility to help others and raise awareness.

In 2010, he was nominated for an award at the 21st GLAAD Media Awards. He also created a video message for the It Gets Better campaign, which helps young people dealing with bullying.

In August 2011, he received the "Equality Idol Award" from Equality California for being a role model. He was also honored with his mother by PFLAG National Los Angeles. In March, he released a remix of his song "Aftermath" with some of the money going to The Trevor Project, which helps young people in crisis. He also supported Spirit Day to fight bullying.

In 2013, Adam Lambert was the main performer at the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade and Festival. He received the GLAAD Davidson/Valentini Award for his work in promoting equal rights. He was also honored with the "Hope of Los Angeles Award". He partnered with AT&T and The Trevor Project for the "Live Proud Campaign" to empower and raise awareness.

In April 2015, he received the "Music Icon" award at the British LGBT Awards. In October, he received the "Music Award/ International Album" at the Attitude Pride Awards in London.

In June 2017, during Pride month, Adam Lambert spoke at the Los Angeles Pride march, speaking out against hate. He also co-hosted "Queer Prom" for high school students. His song "Two Fux" was released during Pride week and became a Pride anthem.

In January 2020, Adam Lambert started a non-profit group called the Feel Something Foundation. Its goal is to support organizations that help communities of all ages and backgrounds. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation held charity auctions to raise money for people in need. He also supported the Black Lives Matter movement.

In 2021, his Feel Something Foundation partnered with Soundwaves Art Foundation to create art prints, with all profits going to The Trevor Project. He continues to support charities that help young people and mental health.

Personal Life

Adam Lambert confirmed he was gay in a Rolling Stone interview in June 2009. He was in a relationship with Finnish entertainment reporter Sauli Koskinen from 2010 to 2013. From March to November 2019, he was in a relationship with model Javi Costa Polo.

Adam Lambert got his first tattoo at age 27. He now has many tattoos on his arms and torso. In November 2023, Adam Lambert, along with Roger Taylor and others, opened a bar called The Wild in West Hollywood, California.

Discography

• For Your Entertainment (2009)
• Trespassing (2012)
• The Original High (2015)
• Velvet (2020)
• High Drama (2023)

Concert Tours

With American Idol

• American Idols Live! Tour 2009 (2009)

Solo

• Glam Nation Tour (2010)
• We Are Glamily Tour (2013)
• The Original High Tour (2016)
• The Velvet Tour (2020)
• The Witch Hunt (2022)

With Queen

• Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2012 (2012)
• Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2014–2015 (2014–15)
• Queen + Adam Lambert 2016 Summer Festival Tour (2016)
• Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2017–2018 (2017–18)
• Queen + Adam Lambert The Rhapsody Tour (2019–2024)

Film and Television

Film

Television

Theatre

Images for kids

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  Lambert at the 16th Screen Actors Guild Awards (2010)

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  Lambert performing at the opening of the Life Ball 2013 in Vienna, Austria

See also

In Spanish: Adam Lambert para niños