Adam Lambert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adam Lambert
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Lambert performing with Queen + Adam Lambert in 2017
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Adam Mitchel Lambert
January 29, 1982 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
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| Years active | 2001–present |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | San Diego, California, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
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Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is famous for his powerful singing and stage performances. Adam combines his acting training with modern and classic music styles. He became well-known in 2009 after being the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol.
Later that year, he released his first album, For Your Entertainment. It quickly reached number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. The album included hit songs like "Whataya Want from Me," which earned him a Grammy nomination.
In 2012, Adam released his second album, Trespassing. This album went straight to number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. In 2015, his third album, The Original High, came out. It reached number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 and featured the popular song "Ghost Town." Since 2009, he has sold millions of albums and singles around the world.
Besides his solo music, Adam has toured with the legendary band Queen since 2012. Their first album together, Live Around the World, was released in October 2020. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
In late 2019, Adam started the Feel Something Foundation. This non-profit group supports different charities, especially those focused on human rights and helping people in need. They help with education, arts, mental health, and preventing homelessness.
Adam made his Broadway debut in 2024. He played the Emcee in the musical Cabaret.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Adam Lambert was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 29, 1982. His mother, Leila, was a dental hygienist. His father, Eber Lambert, was a program manager. His father has some Norwegian family, and his mother is Jewish, with roots in Romania. Adam was raised in his mother's religion. He has a younger brother named Neil. Soon after Adam was born, his family moved to San Diego, California.
Adam started performing with a theater group called Metropolitan Educational Theatre network (now MET2) when he was nine. Later, he began more serious acting and vocal training. He continued to perform with MET2 and the Broadway Bound Youth Theatre Foundation. He performed in school plays at Mesa Verde Middle School and Mount Carmel High School. He was very involved in theater and choir. He also sang with the school's jazz band and competed in local Air Bands competitions. He appeared in professional shows like Hello, Dolly!, Camelot, The Music Man, Grease, Chess, and Peter Pan.
After high school in 2000, he went to California State University, Fullerton. But he left after five weeks to move to Los Angeles. He said, "I just decided that what I really wanted to do was try to work in the real entertainment world. Life is all about taking risks to get what you want."
Music Career
Early Years (2001–2008)
At 19, Adam got his first professional job. He performed on a cruise ship for ten months. After that, he sang in light opera in Orange County, California. By age 21, he had a manager and was cast in a European tour of Hair. In 2004, he appeared in productions of Brigadoon and 110 in the Shade. Then he played Joshua in The Ten Commandments: The Musical at the Kodak Theatre with Val Kilmer.
He caught the eye of the casting director for Wicked. He was hired as the understudy for the role of Fiyero and an ensemble member. He performed in the first national tour of Wicked from 2005 and the Los Angeles production from 2007. He finished with the musical in 2008.
During this time, Adam also sang with a rock band called The Citizen Vein. He also worked as a demo singer. A collection of his 2005 recordings was released in 2009 on the album Take One.
American Idol and First Album (2009-2011)
In 2009, Adam auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in San Francisco. He sang "Rock with You" and "Bohemian Rhapsody". He impressed the judges and moved on to Hollywood Week. Judge Simon Cowell was a bit worried about his theatrical style, but Randy Jackson liked it. Adam easily made it to the top 36.
During the live shows, his performances were often praised. His version of Michael Jackson's "Black or White" was a hit. For Motown night, his acoustic version of The Miracles' "The Tracks of My Tears" earned a standing ovation from Smokey Robinson. When he sang "Mad World," Simon Cowell gave him a standing ovation, which was rare for him.
In the finale, Adam sang "Mad World" again, and the civil rights song "A Change Is Gonna Come." The judges loved his performances. Simon Cowell said Adam was "one of the best, most original contestants we've ever had." Adam finished as the runner-up.
| American Idol season 8 performances and results | |||||
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| Week # | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Order # | Result |
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Rock with You" "Bohemian Rhapsody" |
Michael Jackson Queen |
N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | First Solo | "What's Up" | 4 Non Blondes | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Group Performance | "Some Kind of Wonderful" | Soul Brothers Six | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Second Solo | "Believe" | Cher | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 36/Semi-final 2 | Billboard Hot 100 Hits to Date | "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" | The Rolling Stones | 12 | Advanced |
| Top 13 | Michael Jackson | "Black or White" | Michael Jackson | 11 | Safe |
| Top 11 | Grand Ole Opry | "Ring of Fire" | Anita Carter | 5 | Safe |
| Top 10 | Motown | "The Tracks of My Tears" | The Miracles | 8 | Safe |
| Top 9 | Top Downloads | "Play That Funky Music" | Wild Cherry | 8 | Safe |
| Top 8 | Year they Were Born (1982) | "Mad World" | Tears for Fears | 8 | Safe |
| Top 7 | Songs from the Cinema | "Born to Be Wild" – Easy Rider | Steppenwolf | 3 | Safe |
| Top 7 | Disco | "If I Can't Have You" | Yvonne Elliman | 5 | Safe |
| Top 5 | Rat Pack Standards | "Feeling Good" | Cy Grant | 5 | Bottom 2 |
| Top 4 | Rock and Roll Solo Duet |
"Whole Lotta Love" "Slow Ride" with Allison Iraheta |
Led Zeppelin Foghat |
1 6 |
Safe |
| Top 3 | Judge's Choice (Simon Cowell) Contestant's Choice |
"One" "Cryin'" |
U2 Aerosmith |
3 6 |
Safe |
| Top 2 | Contestant's Choice Simon Fuller's Choice Coronation Song |
"Mad World" "A Change Is Gonna Come" "No Boundaries" |
Tears for Fears Sam Cooke Kris Allen/Adam Lambert |
1 3 5 |
Runner-up |
- Due to the judges using their one save to save Matt Giraud, the Top 7 remained intact for another week.
Adam performed "Mad World" on The Early Show and Live with Regis and Kelly. He started the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2009 in July. That summer, he won two awards: the Young Hollywood Award for Artist of the Year and the Teen Choice Award for Male Reality/Variety Star.
For Your Entertainment, Adam's first album, came out on November 23, 2009. It sold almost 200,000 copies in the US in its first week. Adam worked with famous producers like Dr. Luke and Max Martin. Many well-known artists helped write songs for the album, including Lady Gaga. Critics generally liked the album. Spin magazine said it was "perhaps the strongest, most flavorful batch of tunes to reach an AI vet."
The song "Whataya Want from Me" became a worldwide hit. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Another popular song was "Time for Miracles," which was the ending theme for the movie 2012. By April 2012, For Your Entertainment had sold nearly 2 million copies globally.
Adam appeared on many TV shows and magazine covers. His Rolling Stone cover story was the magazine's best-selling issue that year. He was also chosen as one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People in 2010.
In April 2010, Adam returned to American Idol as a mentor. He was the first former contestant to do this. In June, he won the UR Fav International Video award at Canada's 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards.
In June 2010, Adam started his first headlining tour, the Glam Nation Tour. He performed 113 shows in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Most of these shows were sold out. The Indianapolis show was filmed for his first video release, Glam Nation Live. This concert and video were very popular. Glam Nation Live debuted at number one on the SoundScan Music Video chart.
In November 2011, Adam joined Queen as the lead singer at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards. Queen received the Global Icon Award, and they performed a medley of their classic hits.
Trespassing Album (2012–2013)
Adam's second album, Trespassing, was released on May 15, 2012. It received good reviews. On May 23, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. This was a big achievement for him.
His second single, "Never Close Our Eyes," was written by Bruno Mars. Adam performed it on American Idol in May. He performed across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia throughout 2012. He appeared at festivals and on TV.
Adam joined Queen for six concerts, starting in Kyiv on June 30. This was the night before the Euro 2012 Football Championship. Hundreds of thousands of people watched the performance live. Critics praised Adam's singing, stage presence, and how well he fit with Queen.
Adam's third single, "Trespassing," was released as part of an eight-track EP of remixes. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. This was his tenth number one entry on a Billboard chart.
In October 2012, Adam acted and performed two songs from Trespassing in a Halloween special of the TV series Pretty Little Liars.
Adam performed in South Africa for the first time in November. He headlined concerts in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The Sunday Times called his Johannesburg show "epic" and "electrifying."
Trespassing was listed as one of the best albums of the year by many publications. Rolling Stone named it the best album of the year. Queen + Adam Lambert was named the best live act of 2012 by Gigwise.
In February 2013, Adam started the "We Are Glamily Tour." He had seventeen stops across Asia and Europe. His first solo concert in Hong Kong featured two new songs: "Time for Miracles" and a cover of "Shout."
Adam won "Favorite International Artist" at the STAR TV 17th Chinese Music Awards in Macau in April. He also appeared as a guest judge on Chinese Idol.
On May 11, Adam received an award for Outstanding Music Artist at the 24th GLAAD Media Awards for his album Trespassing. He returned to American Idol on May 16. He performed a duet with Angie Miller on the twelfth season finale.
In July, Adam announced he was leaving RCA Records. He wanted to focus on new music instead of a covers album. He said, "I am already deep into writing new material... and I can't tell you how excited I am to share this new sound and direction."
Adam worked with Nile Rodgers and DJ-producer Avicii on the song "Lay Me Down." It was released on Avicii's album TRUE in September. The song received great reviews and reached number one on Rolling Stone's list of favorite songs.
Adam and Queen performed their first live concert in the United States on September 20. They closed the night at the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival. Reviews were excellent, with Rolling Stone saying they "dominated night one."
Adam made his debut on the fifth season of Glee on November 7. He played Elliot "Starchild" Gilbert. His version of Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night" was released before the show aired and received positive reviews.
In December, Adam received two awards at China's Huading Music Awards: Best International Male Vocalist and the Fan Choice Award. Forbes magazine ranked Adam third on its list of top-earning American Idol contestants.
The Original High and Queen + Adam Lambert (2014–2018)
In February 2014, Adam returned to American Idol as a guest mentor. He was also a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.
A collection of his songs, The Very Best of Adam Lambert, was released in May 2014. It included songs from his albums and his time on American Idol and Glee.
Adam started touring with Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen in June 2014. They had 35 shows in North America, Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The tour was a big success. Critics praised May and Taylor's musical skills and Adam's powerful voice and stage presence. In 2015, they did a second tour with 26 shows in Europe and the UK. In November 2014, Queen + Adam Lambert were named Band of the Year at the 10th annual Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards.
Adam and Queen performed a special New Year's Eve concert in London. The concert was praised for being "pitch-perfect." In January, Queen and Adam Lambert were on the cover of Classic Rock magazine. Taylor and May called Adam "a gift from god." In September, Queen and Adam Lambert headlined Rock in Rio's "30 Years Celebration" in Brazil. Their performance was the most popular at the festival.
On January 15, 2015, Adam became the first former contestant to be a guest judge on American Idol. He filled in for Keith Urban. That same day, Adam announced he had signed with Warner Bros. Records. His new album, The Original High, would be produced by Max Martin and Shellback.
The lead single from The Original High was "Ghost Town." It was released on April 21, 2015. The New York Times called it "perhaps his best single to date." "Ghost Town" entered the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold in the US.
The Original High debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. It was Adam's first top ten album in the United Kingdom. Reviews were mostly positive. The Original High Tour started in January 2016 with shows in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Adam received the Best Foreign Artist award at the 2015 Eska Music Awards in Szczecin, Poland. He also performed at Fusion Festival 2015 in Birmingham, UK.
In October, Adam released "Another Lonely Night." He performed it live in Amsterdam and on X Factor Australia. More dates were added to "The Original High Tour," including shows in Europe, Dubai, and China.
Adam continued to make appearances in the US, Europe, and Asia. He performed on Today, Swedish Idol, The Voice of Poland, and BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. He also performed a duet with Leona Lewis at the CMT "Artists of the Year" special.
Adam received several awards at the end of the year. Forbes ranked him number one in yearly earnings for American Idol contestants. Rolling Stone readers voted The Original High as the top album of 2015. In January 2016, 23 US dates were added to "The Original High Tour."
In May 2016, Adam became the new face of Macy's lifestyle brand, I.N.C. International Concepts.
Queen + Adam Lambert headlined several European festivals in May and June 2016. They also performed in Singapore, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taipei. In June, Adam joined the judging panel for the eighth season of The X Factor Australia.
Adam released his first independent music video for "Welcome to the Show" in July. He performed "Faith" on the season finale of ABC's Greatest Hits. Adam was also featured on the song "Broken" by DJ/producers Tritonal.
In October, Adam co-starred in the TV remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In December, he performed a duet with finalist Saara Aalto on The X Factor UK finale. He also presented an award at the BBC Music Awards 2016. Adam sang "Think" for the soundtrack of Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, released in June 2017.
Queen + Adam Lambert started a worldwide arena tour on June 23, 2017. They performed in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The group appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, where Adam and Corden had a sing-off. Adam and Queen performed a mini-concert on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, including a new song from Adam called "Two Fux." Reviews for the shows were very positive.
"Two Fux" was released digitally on June 30. Critics praised it, with Yahoo! Music calling it "a delightfully attitudinal rock 'n' roll waltz." Esquire said the song was "effervescent, and a showcase for the nosebleed-inducing heights his falsetto can scale."
Adam appeared as a guest judge and musical coach on RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars. Due to its success, the Queen + Adam Lambert tour added more dates. In March, Billboard reported that Queen + Adam Lambert topped their "Hot Tours" recap.
In May, Adam teamed up with Melissa Etheridge to open the 29th GLAAD Media Awards. Days later, he announced a 10-date Las Vegas residency for Queen+Adam Lambert in September 2018. The new show, "The Crown Jewels," was well received.
Adam was a guest judge on The X Factor in October. He performed the duet "As Long As You're Mine" with Ledisi on NBC's A Very Wicked Halloween, celebrating Wicked's fifteen years on Broadway. The performance was praised for its harmonies. On December 2, he performed "We Are the Champions" on Strictly Come Dancing. On the same day, he performed at the Kennedy Center Honors to honor Cher. He sang "I Got You Babe" with Cyndi Lauper and a version of "Believe." His performance was widely praised.
Velvet and Queen + Adam Lambert (2019–2022)
Adam appeared with James Corden on The Late Late Show in January 2019. He sang a parody of "Don't Stop Me Now." In February, he performed "Blue Suede Shoes" on NBC's Elvis All-Star Tribute.
Adam voiced the character Emperor Maximus in Playmobil: The Movie, released in 2019. In December, Queen and Adam Lambert announced a 23-date tour for North America. The Rhapsody Tour added more dates and ran from July 10 through August 23, 2019.
Adam released the song "Feel Something" on February 22. Rolling Stone called it an "achingly yearning ballad" that shows his "acrobatic vocal range." It was the first song from his upcoming fourth album, Velvet. Adam explained that the song was an emotional starting point for his new music.
On February 24, 2019, Adam and Queen were the first rock band to open the Oscars. Their performance earned a standing ovation. The next day, they announced a documentary, The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story. It showed their journey together and included behind-the-scenes footage. Roger Taylor called the collaboration with Adam "magical." In April, Adam mentored American Idol's top 8 finalists on a Queen-themed night.
On May 15, 2019, Adam released "New Eyes," the lead single from Velvet. The song mixes modern and classic rock. Its video was the first part of a short film for the album. Adam performed "New Eyes" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Voice Australia.
Adam released "Comin in Hot" on June 26, along with the second video for Velvet. He performed a five-song set on Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series to celebrate Pride month.
On September 4, Adam released the single and video for "Superpower." It appeared on Velvet: Side A, the first half of his fourth album. The song has a strong bassline and "smooth falsettos," showing the '70s rock and funk sound of the album. Billboard called the 6-track EP his "best work yet." He performed "Superpower" live on Live with Kelly and Ryan and Strictly Come Dancing.
On September 28, Adam with Queen headlined the 2019 Global Citizen Festival in New York City. The festival aims to end extreme poverty and address climate change. It had 60,000 attendees and nearly 21 million views worldwide.
In November, Adam released a cover of "Please Come Home for Christmas." On December 6, he released a cover of Cher's "Believe," based on his 2018 performance. He performed it as a duet on The Voice finale. Adam also performed on the CBS A Home for the Holidays Christmas special to raise awareness about adoption.
In January 2020, Adam was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. He opened the 31st GLAAD Media Awards with a performance. On February 16 in Sydney, Adam with Queen performed at the Fire Fight Australia concert. They raised money for bushfire relief and recreated Queen's 1985 Live Aid set.
On February 4, 2020, Adam released the song "Roses" featuring Nile Rodgers. The Velvet Tour was planned to start in August.
Adam with Queen released "You Are the Champions" on April 30. It was a new version of "We Are the Champions." All proceeds went to the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. In May, Adam discussed mental health issues affecting teens during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, he discussed the Black Lives Matter movement on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
Queen with Adam released their first album together, Queen + Adam Live Around the World, on October 2, 2020. It debuted at number one on the UK's Official Albums Chart. A concert film of the same name was released in January 2021.
In November, Adam appeared in Moonbase 8 in a non-musical acting role. He sang "Starman" for "A Bowie Celebration" livestream event. He played "Emile" in Ratatouille the Musical, which raised money for The Actors Fund. Adam also sang on the concept recording of Cinderella.
Adam, through his Feel Something Foundation, curated and headlined the annual June Stonewall Day celebration. This event boosts the legacy of the Stonewall riots and activism for equality. In March 2021, Adam revealed he was writing a Broadway-style rock and roll musical.
Adam sang "These Are Your Rights" for the TV series We the People. In September, he participated in Global Citizen Live to fight poverty and address COVID-19 effects. He was a guest judge on Legendary. Adam also appeared on The Ellen Show before his role as a judge on Clash of the Cover Bands.
He voiced the devil in A Tale Dark & Grimm. He returned to Las Vegas for solo shows in October. In November, Adam performed on The Queen Family Singalong. He performed a duet with Darren Criss for Criss' holiday album. Adam also appeared as a judge on the talent show Starstruck.
Adam performed on the "Rise Up With The Arts" livestream event. Funds raised went to Save the Children's emergency appeal for Ukraine. Adam headlined the SunFest music festival in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also announced more Florida solo shows, unofficially calling them the "Say Gay" tour.
Queen and Adam Lambert began the European leg of The Rhapsody Tour in May. On June 4, they opened the Platinum Party at the Palace outside Buckingham Palace. This was in honor of Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
Adam appeared in Fairyland, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023. He received an award from the Creative Coalition's Spotlight Initiative. He returned to Las Vegas in October for "The Witch Hunt" concert series. Adam returned to Warner Music Group with East West Records. His first single on the label was a cover of Noël Coward's "Mad About the Boy." Adam debuted the song on Strictly Come Dancing. He also performed two duets with Jennifer Hudson on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
Recent Projects (2023–Present)
In February 2023, Adam released his fifth album, High Drama, a collection of cover songs. It debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart. The video for "Ordinary World" was released. Adam dedicated his performance of this song on The Voice finale to the victims of the Colorado Springs nightclub shooting. Adam was a judge on Britain Get Singing, a celebrity singing competition. He performed "Holding Out for a Hero" on The National Lottery's Big Bash. He also performed "Chandelier" from High Drama on America's Got Talent: All-Stars.
Adam held an album launch show at London's KOKO. He began solo concerts in June, starting at Royal Albert Hall. He appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and The View.
Queen + Adam Lambert expanded The Rhapsody Tour, adding 22 dates in North America. They headlined the Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix in October. In February 2024, they will perform five concerts in Japan.
Adam returned to American Idol on April 30 to mentor the top twelve finalists. He also performed "I Can't Stand the Rain." He performed at Capital Summertime Ball in Wembley Stadium. On June 30, he received the Silver Clef Award for international artist.
Adam had an active Pride season. He hosted a discussion with military service members. He headlined London Pride on July 1, having released the cover single, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" with Sigala. Adam's "Feel Something Foundation" also hosted a panel about mental health in the music industry.
ITV announced that Adam will create a documentary about music history and the experience of artists. On December 8, Adam performed at Princess Catherine's "Together at Christmas" special. He will also be a judge on Britain Get Singing Christmas special.
In February 2024, it was announced that Adam would be a judge on the thirteenth season of The Voice Australia. In March, he voiced a character and sang the theme song for Megamind Rules!. He also voiced a character for Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.
In May 2024, Adam participated in the Chinese reality show Singer 2024.
In July 2024, it was announced that Adam will take over the role of Emcee in the Broadway production of Cabaret.
Adam's Artistic Style
His Voice
Many critics and other artists have praised Adam Lambert's amazing voice. Kathie Bretches-Urban, who worked with Adam when he was young, said, "He has invested his entire life in music and performing... He'd just come out onstage, and it popped." Record producer Rob Cavallo said Adam has an unlimited vocal range. In 2012, rock artist Meat Loaf compared Adam's voice to Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, saying it has a "jet pack quality."
In 2011, Queen guitarist Brian May said Adam's voice has "sensitivity, depth, maturity, and awesome range and power." Roger Taylor added that Adam had "the best range I've ever heard." Pharrell Williams, who worked with Adam on Trespassing, commented, "This kid has a voice like a siren."
In 2019, James Michael, lead singer of Sixx:A.M., called Adam one of the best vocalists in the world.
Style and Look
Adam Lambert is known for his theatrical performance style. He pays close attention to how he presents himself, including his fashion. His stage experience helps him create a unique image through clothes and visuals. This helps him connect with his songs and audiences.
When he was on American Idol, Adam's varied and precise stage looks kept everyone watching. His bold and glam rock style was a new trend in men's fashion. Fashion experts compared him to Lady Gaga for breaking style rules and being truly individual.
Adam appeared on several fashion-related TV shows. He was a guest judge on Project Runway. He also worked with designers to create modern looks.
Adam continued to be featured on magazine covers, moving into fashion and culture. His photo shoots for magazines like Fault Magazine showed how he connects his artistic vision with his style. When he appeared on the cover of Fiasco magazine, he played with male stereotypes. He said his fashion is often different from what people expect.
In August 2015, he was on the cover of Billboard's "Music's Men of Style" issue. He talked about his shift to a cleaner, more classic look. He said that the mix of music and fashion is fascinating to him as a pop musician.
Adam is represented by MiLK Management, a modeling agency, since July 2016.
Influences
Adam was inspired by his father's large collection of 1970s music. He loved theatrical rock artists like Madonna, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Queen, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin. Adam called Michael Jackson and Madonna "King and Queen" because they combined music with makeup, fashion, and videos. His strongest influences are British singers like Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, and Robert Plant.
In March 2013, Adam wrote an article for Out magazine about David Bowie. Adam's own music is influenced by many styles, including classic rock, pop, and electronic music. His performance style comes from his extensive stage experience. Adam sees himself as an artist who creates not just a song, but also a beat, a story, a look, and a theme. For his second album, he was inspired by classic disco, 1990s electronica, funk, and dubstep music.
Helping Others
Charity Work
Since his time on American Idol, Adam Lambert has given a lot of support and time to charity. By October 2011, his donations had reached $1,000,000.
In January 2010, for his 28th birthday, Adam asked fans to donate to DonorsChoose.org. Over 2,400 fans donated more than $322,000. In June 2010, he worked with the charity again for his "Glam A Classroom" campaign, raising another $208,000. He also helped MusiCares by designing a pendant, which raised $32,000.
In January 2011, he started a campaign to raise money for charity: water for his 29th birthday. The campaign raised over $323,000, helping 16,000 people get clean water. He continued these efforts for his 30th and 31st birthdays. By June 2013, charity:water had completed 55 projects with funds raised by Adam.
Adam performed at a Royal Albert Hall concert in June 2012 to benefit the Rays Of Sunshine Children's Charity. On June 30, Elton John and Queen + Adam Lambert held a concert to fight HIV/AIDS. In September 2012, Adam headlined a fundraiser in Washington, D.C.
On January 31, 2013, he received the Unity Award from the We Are Family Foundation. This award honors artists whose music spreads "peaceful messages." For his 32nd birthday, he again chose this charity. In May 2013, Adam participated in the opening ceremony of the Life Ball in Vienna. He performed the gala's official song, "Love Wins Over Glamour." In June, he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" to open Broadway Bares, which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Adam was featured in the video launch for UNICEF's #IMAGINE campaign. With Queen, he participated in Coca-Cola's [RED] campaign to help end HIV transmission from mothers to children. In July 2016, he took part in the charity single "Hands," a tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
In August 2017, Adam performed a tribute to George Michael at Project Angel Food's Angel Awards gala. Adam's "Feel Something Foundation" also worked with the charity in November 2020. He performed a duet with Cynthia Erivo for the 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball, supporting the Children's Diabetes Foundation. In July 2021, he helped raise $1.1 million for Project Angel Food.
Social Activism
Adam Lambert has contributed to social justice. He said, "I feel like with celebrity and visibility and fame, there's a responsibility to try to give back and try to use the visibility for the greater good."
Adam received a nomination for Outstanding Music Artist at the 21st GLAAD Media Awards in 2010.
He was given the "Equality Idol Award" in August 2011 for being a role model for equality. He was honored with his mother by PFLAG National Los Angeles for his "authentic" voice. In March, he released a remix of his song "Aftermath," with proceeds supporting The Trevor Project. This organization provides help and suicide prevention services to young people. He raised more money for The Trevor Project by designing a "Peace pendant."
In December, he performed at the "Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays" concert. This raised funds for the "True Colors Fund," which helps young people experiencing homelessness.
Adam was the headline performer at the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade and Festival in April 2013. He was also given the key to the city. Adam received the GLAAD Davidson/Valentini Award in May. This award honors media professionals who have made a difference in promoting equal rights. On May 30, he received the "Hope of Los Angeles Award." Adam is featured in "The New F Word" campaign, which aims to raise anti-bullying awareness.
On June 15, declared "Adam Lambert Day" by the City Council, he headlined Pittsburgh's "Pride in the Street" concert. Adam partnered with AT&T and The Trevor Project for the "Live Proud Campaign." This campaign aims to empower and raise awareness in the community. Adam donated a song to the score of the movie Bridegroom. This documentary is about love and marriage equality.
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 June 2017, Adam spoke at the Los Angeles Pride march, speaking out against hate. He co-hosted BuzzFeed's first "Queer Prom" for high school seniors. Adam's single, "Two Fux," released during Pride week, is an anthem for acceptance. Adam performed for Point Foundation Honors Gala. This foundation gives scholarships to students.
In January 2020, Adam launched the Feel Something Foundation. Its goal is to support organizations that help people of all ages and backgrounds. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the Foundation partnered with eBay for charity auctions of Adam's stage clothes. Funds went to GLAAD to help people in need. In April 2020, Adam participated in GLAAD's Together in Pride livestream event. In June, he announced a donation to the LGBTQ Freedom Fund to help with bail for community members arrested during peaceful protests.
The OUTLOUD: Raising Voices event in 2021 featured artists who support equality. On March 4, Adam participated in an event supporting the Center for Gender-Affirming Care at San Diego's Rady Children's Hospital. Adam's Feel Something Foundation teamed up with Soundwaves Art Foundation to create art prints. Profits from sales benefit The Trevor Project. He appeared on the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Love in Action telethon. His foundation also supports "Stand with Trans," which helps young people and their families.
In October 2023, Adam signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter. This letter called for a ceasefire in the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
Personal Life
Adam Lambert got his first tattoo at 27, just before American Idol. It was an Eye of Horus on his wrist. Since then, he has added many tattoos to his arms and torso.
In November 2023, Adam, along with Roger Taylor and others, opened The Wild bar 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)
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Ten Commandments: The Musical | Joshua | |
| 2014 | Lennon or McCartney | Himself | Documentary short |
| 2018 | Bohemian Rhapsody | Truck Driver | Uncredited |
| 2019 | Playmobil: The Movie | Emperor Maximus | Voice |
| 2021 | Ratatouille: The Tiktok Musical | Emile | |
| 2023 | Fairyland | Charlie | |
| 2024 | Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate | Machiavillain | Voice |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | American Idol | Himself (contestant) | Season 8, 2nd place |
| 2010 | American Idol | Himself (mentor) | Season 9, Episode: "Top 9 – Elvis Presley" |
| 2011 | Project Runway | Himself (guest judge) | Season 9, Episode: "Image is Everything" |
| Majors & Minors | Himself (mentor) | 2 episodes | |
| 2012 | Pretty Little Liars | Himself | Episode: "This Is a Dark Ride" |
| VH1 Divas 2012 | Himself (host) | Television special | |
| 2013–2014 | Glee | Elliot "Starchild" Gilbert | 5 episodes |
| 2014 | American Idol | Himself (mentor) | Season 13, Episode: "Boot Camp" |
| RuPaul's Drag Race | Himself (guest judge) | Season 6, Episode: "RuPaul's Big Opening (Part 1)" | |
| 2015 | American Idol | Season 14, Episode: "Long Island Auditions" | |
| 2016 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again | Eddie | Television movie |
| The X Factor | Himself (judge) | Season 8 | |
| 2018 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Himself (guest judge) | Season 3, Episode: "Handmaids to Kitty Girls" |
| The Voice | Himself (advisor) | Season 7, Episode: "Knockouts 1" | |
| 2019 | American Idol | Himself (mentor) | Season 17, Episode: "Top 8 – Queen Night" |
| The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story | Himself | Television documentary | |
| 2020 | One World: Together at Home | Television special | |
| Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone | |||
| Moonbase 8 | Billy | Episode: "Visitors" | |
| 2021 | Legendary | Himself (guest judge) | Season 2, Episode: "Ovah!" |
| We The People | Himself | Voice, Episode: "The Bill of Rights" | |
| A Tale Dark & Grimm | The Devil | 6 episodes | |
| Clash of the Cover Bands | Himself (judge) | 10 episodes | |
| 2022–2023 | Starstruck | 15 episodes | |
| 2022 | Britain Get Singing | Television special, Season 1 | |
| 2023 | American Idol | Himself (mentor) | Season 21, Episode: "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night" |
| RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under | Himself (guest judge) | Season 3, Episode: "Fake Housewives of Down Under" | |
| Britain Get Singing | Himself (judge) | Television special, Season 2 | |
| 2024 | Megamind Rules! | Machiavillain (voice) | Voice, 4 episodes |
| Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock | The Great Glitterini (voice) | Voice, Season 2, Episode: "I'm Pogey" | |
| The Voice Australia | Himself (coach) | Season 13 |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 110 in the Shade | Phil Mackey | Pasadena Playhouse |
| The Ten Commandments: The Musical | Joshua | Kodak Theatre | |
| 2005-2007 | Wicked | Ensemble
u/s Fiyero |
US Tour |
| 2007-2008 | Hollywood Pantages Theatre | ||
| 2024-2025 | Cabaret | The Emcee | August Wilson Theatre, Broadway |
Images for kids
-
Adam Lambert's signature
See also
In Spanish: Adam Lambert para niños
- List of awards and nominations received by Adam Lambert
