American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert
Briefly, I need to comment on National television. Specifically, Fox. It’s unsurprising that two big events have happened in the last week that continue to prove that Fox is disinterested in supporting, uplifting, and encouraging equality for the LGBT community.
The first big occurrence is probably obvious… Adam Lambert lost American Idol to the also-talented, Kris Allen. While I can appreciate that Kris has a future, is marketable, and happens to be just plain adorable… I wanted Adam to win. He’s an entertainer on par with some of the best. I’d pay hundreds to see him in concert. I’d immediately buy his album. He’d easily headline a Broadway show that would be a smash success.
And oh yeah, he’s gay. Whether you support the fact that he wasn’t an “out” gay man, he never failed to state that he was proud of who he is. With pictures of him all over the internet proving what many teeny bopper girls and bible thumping parents feared, he focused on the singing instead of his personal life.
If he had won- it would have been a HUGE moment. Not only because America would have gotten it right, but because they would have chosen to support a gay man. In fact, to idolize him. While I am saddened that he lost, I think he still made a lasting impact on national media and continues to be a shining example of the courageous gay community.
If there’s any question about whether or not he’s a rockstar, let’s think about the finale for a moment. On the solo performances of each finalist, they were paired up with a celebrity musician for a duet. Kris Allen was paired with that one guy, Keith Urban. Who did Adam get paired with????? KISS. That’s right… KISS. He’s already a rockstar. Check it out in case your TIVO wasn’t set:
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More incendiary is a moment that occurred on last night’s season premiere of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Nigel Lythgoe, one of the show’s creators as well as the most prominent judge proved last night that homophobia (even in the DANCE world!) is still prevalent. Fox also proved that it won’t edit out such disgusting comments and by proxy, doesn’t mind homophobia. Encourages it perhaps? Here’s a video of the unfortunate moment that was nationally televised on one of the most-anticipated premieres of this summer season:
After seeing the moment, I had to stop the DVR and take a breather. It actually depressed me and made me want to boycott one of my favorite shows. I immediately thought of my former employers over at GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and hoped they were in the midst of writing a press release as I went to bed last night. The good news is, they were.
To check out their commentary on WHY this is so defamatory and upsetting, and to also TAKE ACTION to tell Fox we won’t stand for this, click HERE .
In the mean time, I’m going to continue working on changing hearts and minds.
No related posts.
You know I love you and share your love for our Adam. But AI, as Emily noted, is not about FOX as a network – America chose, and I’m pretty sure that Kris winning had little to do with the “is he, or isn’t he” surrounding Adam.
Disappointing, because I do believe Adam has a larger talent, but he should: I read the Lamb has been performing since he was 10.
I don’t watch “So You Think You Can Dance” so I hadn’t seen the clip. Nigel’s comments literally made my jaw drop. W.T.F?
As far as “American Idol” goes, I have to disagree, because it was fairly obvious that they were doing everything within their power to sell Adam as the winner. The final decision was up to the public, and I have a feeling that most of Danny’s voters swung over to Kris. Of course, being a total Kris fan, I’m a wee bit biased