Adam Lambert

Debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 and selling 198,000 copies in the United States its first week, the album saw Lambert in collaboration with a number of producers, including Rob Cavallo, Dr. Luke and Max Martin; and a string of writers that included Matthew Bellamy, Ryan Tedder, Rivers Cuomo, Justin Hawkins, P!nk, Linda Perry and Lady Gaga. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 71, which indicates "generally favorable reviews" with Entertainment Weekly writing, "he's still the belle of what turns out to be one heck of a glitter-pop ball," and All Music Guide stating, "there's a lot of pure pop pleasure here, more than any immediate post-Idol album has ever delivered." But Rolling Stone gave it a more mixed review: "The songs sound great but feel strangely stuffy--it seems like a disc that was overthought." Its Claude Kelly and Dr. Luke-produced lead single "For Your Entertainment" preceded the album's release but was not as successful as its second single "Whataya Want from Me" which impacted on charts worldwide, became his highest-peaking single (at number 10) on the Billboard Hot 100, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 53rd awards ceremony. Another notable single included on the album was "Time for Miracles", which was originally intended as only the ending theme for the disaster movie 2012; Queen guitarist Brian May lauded the "truly sensational" song, admitting that he was "completely blown away" upon hearing the track. Read Less

The controversial performance, which was the night's finale, showed Lambert kissing a male bassist, grinding a dancer's head against his pelvis, and grabbing the crotch of another. In response, the Parents Television Council, a conservative decency campaigning group, urged viewers to complain to the FCC, despite the fact that the performance occurred "outside the FCC's usual 6am-10pm time frame prohibiting the broadcast of indecent material". ABC received about 1,500 telephoned complaints and cancelled Lambert's November 25 performance on Good Morning America. Consequently, CBS invited Lambert to perform on The Early Show instead, on the same date. When discussing the incident in a Rolling Stone interview after the performance, Lambert stated: "Female performers have been doing this for years—pushing the envelope about sexuality—and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out. We're in 2009—it's time to take risks, be a little more brave, time to open people's eyes and if it offends them, then maybe I'm not for them. My goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom." Lambert returned to the AMAs two years later as a presenter, and was warmly received. Read Less

In his Details shoot he was photographed with a nude woman, sparking controversy. His Rolling Stone cover story became the magazine's best selling issue of the year. He appeared on the cover of Out magazine in their "Out 100" issue (11/09), again sparking controversy when Out's publisher issued him an open letter questioning the "gayness" of his image. The Canadian website and magazine Rockstar Weekly published an Adam Lambert fan magazine in February 2010, which sold out quickly in its first run and was re-issued in October 2010 with added content. In April it was revealed that Lambert had been chosen one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People 2010. He appeared on the cover of Japan's May 2010 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, after his single "For Your Entertainment" reached its fifth consecutive number-one spot on their radio airplay charts. In November 2011, Lambert appeared on the cover of what became a sought after edition of The Advocate, which also included an in-depth interview. Read Less

This followed the release of his first extended play (EP), titled Acoustic Live!, which included acoustic versions of his songs recorded live in various countries. The EP garnered excellent reviews and was called "electrifying" by the New York Daily News. Read Less

In it he revealed details about a broad range of topics, including early struggles with his sexuality, his experience in the theater, and events surrounding the release of his debut album. He was the subject of more in-depth interviews that fall, in an E! True Hollywood Story, and on CNN Talk Asia. Read Less

In a "spectacular" performance that closed the show, Lambert and Queen presented a medley of the classic hits “The Show Must Go On”, "We Will Rock You", and "We Are the Champions". On December 9, Roger Taylor was quoted as saying they are in talks with Lambert about fronting some more live shows for Queen, calling the artist "a really great performer with an astonishing voice." Read Less

Using his hit "Whataya Want from Me", Lambert coached the young singing contestants on the importance of stage presence and emotional engagement with the audience. Read Less