Adam Lambert at the AMAs

Like the author of the article we read in class on Monday, I was completely shocked while watching Adam Lambert's AMA performance. I was surprised and disappointed about the performance because it was the first time he had performed since American Idol and I was expecting something different. I don't think that Adam Lambert needs to use such a performance to be successful. He is an extremely talented musician, but I honestly don't even remember how he sounded. Although the performance was a little inappropriate, I thought it was ridiculous that ABC and other networks cancelled their interviews with Lambert the next day. It seemed as if they were saying that it's not OK for performers to express their sexuality, or that expressing anything other than heterosexual ideals are wrong.

This incident is very similar to the infamous Brittany-Madonna kiss. Obviously both of these events were orchestrated for controversy and publicity. However, both Madonna and Brittany were already established musicians with a huge fan base and successful careers. Lambert doesn't have enough success as a musician yet, so his performance was risky. Also, by comparing the reactions from each performance, it seemed as if it is more socially acceptable for two girls (who are heterosexual) to kiss than it is for a male, who is openly gay, to kiss another male. I agree with the author who stated that the performance lacked authenticity and that it was a little inappropriate, but I think that Lambert would still be criticized even if the performance wasn't over-the-top.