Adam Lambert

Who Is Adam Lambert?

Adam Lambert is a prominent singer and performer best known for his participation in the eighth season of American Idol in 2009, where his remarkable vocal range and theatrical flair captivated audiences and secured him a second-place finish. Following his appearance on the show, Lambert released his debut album, For Your Entertainment, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. He continued to build on his success with two subsequent albums and gained international recognition as the lead vocalist for the legendary rock band Queen.

Early Life

Born on January 29, 1982, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Adam Lambert is the eldest of two siblings. His family relocated to San Diego, California, shortly after his birth. Lambert discovered his passion for performing at the age of ten when he was cast as Linus in the Lyceum Theatre’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown in San Diego. Inspired by his early experiences on stage, he pursued private voice lessons and participated in various local musical productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease, and Chess. During this formative period, he was mentored by voice coach Lynne Broyles and Alex Urban, the artistic director of the Children’s Theatre Network, both of whom played significant roles in shaping his early career.

Lambert attended Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego, where he was actively involved in theater, choir, and the jazz band. After graduating, he moved to Orange County to attend college. However, after just five weeks, he realized his true calling was in performance and decided to leave school to pursue his dreams.

Early Career

Relocating to Los Angeles, California, Lambert began to carve out a path in the entertainment industry, taking on various odd jobs to support himself while trying to establish a career in theater and music. He performed in a rock band and engaged in studio session work, gradually building a reputation in the local music scene. By 2004, Lambert gained visibility for his role in The Ten Commandments at the Kodak Theatre, where he shared the stage with actor Val Kilmer.

He also became a regular performer in The Zodiac Show, a touring revue co-created by Carmit Bachar of the Pussycat Dolls, where he impressed audiences and fellow performers with his exceptional vocal talent. During this period, Lambert began to write his own music, collaborating with Madonna’s guitarist, Monte Pittman, on an original song titled Crawl Through Fire. In 2005, he secured an understudy role as Fiyero in the musical Wicked, first with the touring cast and subsequently with the Los Angeles cast, further solidifying his presence in the theater community.

American Idol Finalist

Adam Lambert first garnered national attention in 2009 as a finalist on the eighth season of the acclaimed vocal competition show American Idol. His poignant rendition of Gary Jules’s 2001 arrangement of “Mad World” not only captivated audiences but also earned a standing ovation from the notoriously critical judge Simon Cowell. Lambert’s impressive vocal range, combined with his signature jet-black hair and bold mascara, led to comparisons with iconic glam rock figures such as Freddie Mercury and Gene Simmons.

Throughout Season 8, Lambert, along with fellow contestants Danny Gokey and Kris Allen, consistently avoided ranking in the bottom three. Despite being regarded as a frontrunner, Lambert ultimately lost to the dark horse candidate Kris Allen. Speculation arose regarding the impact of Lambert’s openly gay lifestyle on the final outcome; however, Lambert himself refutes this theory, attributing Allen’s victory to his musical talent.

Studio Albums and Hit Songs

Following his American Idol success, Lambert released his debut album, For Your Entertainment, in 2009, which debuted at an impressive No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. His hit single “Whataya Want From Me” earned him his first Grammy Award nomination in 2010.

In May 2012, Lambert unveiled his sophomore studio album, Trespassing, which received widespread acclaim. The album reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 and surpassed 100,000 copies sold by June 2012.

Lambert continued to build on his success with his third album, The Original High, released in 2015. Featuring the dance hit “Ghost Town,” the album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and achieved gold certification early the following year.

Touring with Queen

Lambert’s journey with Queen began when he performed “Bohemian Rhapsody” during his American Idol audition. This initial connection blossomed into a fruitful collaboration when Lambert joined the surviving members of the legendary band, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, for a performance during the American Idol finale. Their partnership flourished, leading to Lambert performing with Queen at the 2011 MTV Europe Awards, and by the following year, they were formally touring together. Their collaboration shows no signs of slowing, as Lambert fronted Queen once again at the February 2019 Academy Awards, just months before they embarked on the Rhapsody Tour across five countries.