Is Adam Lambert Gay? Do the Producers of American Idol Care?
But the question that many people are raising is whether Fox and the producers of American Idol have an obligation to recognize and or condone the gay lifestyle - a lifestyle that Adam Lambert most probably embraces.
To be sure, American Idol does have a history of discouraging gay contestants from flaunting their sexual orientation. For instance, during the first season, top 10 finalist Jim Verraros was forced to take down gay-themed comments on an American Idol-sponsored website. And last season David Hernandez was voted off the show when it was revealed that he had been a stripper in a gay dance club.
But some argue that American Idol is in a state of denial. Los Angeles Times pop music critic Ann Powers, for example, argues that the wholesome, homogeneous image that American Idol tries to project flies in the face of reality. "Reality - and not the usual well-managed kind the show embraces - is breaking through as '"Idols"' producers strive to further the contest's popularity among a diverse array of viewers without giving up the fiction of a unified mainstream," writes Powers.
Powers goes on to argue that Fox and the producers of American Idol have a duty to not only open the closet door for gay contestants like Adam Lambert, but for contestants who represent other identities as well -and it's something, Powers argues, that might not be a matte of choice: "The daring Lambert might break down the wall of homophobia this season, but it's just as likely one of the show's several Christian worship leaders, including Lambert's main male rival Danny Gokey, will push the producers to let fundamentalist Christianity out of the box in which it's not very well contained."
Does Ann Powers have a valid point? If American Idol discourages or prevents someone like Adam Lambert from freely expressing his homosexual orientation, does that not send the wrong message to impressionable young gay viewers? If a gay contestant is forced to stay in the closet, does that not suggest that being different is unacceptable?
On the other hand, it is the prerogative of the producers of American Idol to produce a show that does not promote or condone a particular lifestyle or political issue. The purpose of the show is to be entertaining, not ideological.
Sources:
'American Idol' needs to open the closet door, Ann Powers, The Los Angeles Times, March 10, 2009
Published by Hartley Engel
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada but raised in Los Angeles, California. I have a BA and MsEd degree from USC. View profile
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68 Comments
Post a CommentAdam is very sweet and funny, his so crazy in his videos. The guy is so sexxxxy!!!!!!.
maybe*
Adam Lambert my be gay but he is just like us he has his own life and we need to respect that.he is awesome he should have won American idol no matter what anyone says he waz the best one there!
youll need to chill fo real he still is gods people
Barbie,i must say ur crazy and very stupid.he is one of d sickest people i've ever seen,and ur also 1 of dem.u crazy cocksucker.
adam is hot.
Adam is not Nasty! And who the hell cares about the bible? You crazy dumb asses. The fact of the matter is Adam is an amazing talent and artist and that's all there is to it. Who cares who he kisses? Who care what sex he likes? You're all a bunch of ignorant people! I'll by Adams CD's till the end! I love the Rocky Horror Pictures show! lol
adamm is nasty
im glad 2 see some 1 read out of the bible and tell others bout it i would just leavel adam alone
Leave Adam alone! He lost? How? Has he came out of the closet and said I:M Gay! If he did When I must have miss it. American Idol is rigged. They never tell you how many votes each constestant got. Kris is boring. He reminds me of John Mayer. Adam rocks. He can sing any song any way. All Kris does is play guitar. Adam is the best American Idol ever. If you all are sad that Adam lost, think did you even vote? thought maybe you don't need to cuz he'll win. OOPS!!! AI sucks. I'm glad SO you Think you CAN DanCE is back. That show rocks.