Gene Simmons on Adam Lambert: I Think He Killed His Career

Simmons really makes himself sound more envious of Adam every time he says something about him. And he thinks the “masses” live in Wisconsin and Nebraska? I’m from NE and I know the masses don’t like there. Then he tries to back peddle at the end saying he hopes Adam becomes the next Beatles. Obviously still trying to get a little Adam-press time.

Seems to me he’s just riding on the Adam-hoopla. As usual he just wants to create controversy and be talked about… eh.

Insert eyeroll here.

Has anyone told Simmons that gay marriage is legal in Iowa but not in California?

Somehow it appears that he just doesn’t know what to say or think about Adam. I wish Gene would just take his own advice and STFU.

weareallinnocent
Jun 29th, 2009 at 10:30 am

Insert eyeroll here.

I’ll join you :rolleyes_tb: :rolleyes_tb:

I think he killed his career because now the conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference.

It was the press that forced that issue from what I saw, not Adam.
I don’t think ‘he killed’ anything. Too bad interviewers keep insisting on bringing it up, i’m sure the masses probably wish that they would shut the f**k up.
IMO if Adam makes great music (and I think he will) the masses will buy it because at the end of the day that’s all they really care about.

UM hello I am so sick of everyone ragging on the middle of the country…IOWA has gay marriage and California doesn’t! ‘Nuff said!

oh yeah yesterday was Pride in Minneapolis and we are the third largest festival in the in the country behind NY and SF so there Gene Simmons! Maybe he ought to get out of LA and check out the rest of our great nation.

I think he’s just a master marketer. Notice that between the blog post and the first four comments his name has been mentioned at least 7 times. And that’s 7 times more than it ever would have had he not commented on the marketing-coattail-of-the-moment Adam Lambert (coat by Skingraft, of course, lol.)

Plus, by saying something patently stupid, the old rocker that I’m not going to name ensures that there’ll be plenty of comments on his comment.

No dummy he.

I don’t think we can entirely dismiss Simmons’ thoughts about Adam’s career prospects. The finale voting on American Idol suggests that there was a sizeable Anybody But That Gay Guy bloc. I know that it is comforting to think that the other guy won on the basis of his dominating performances and popularity, but that’s not the only plausible explanation. Many long term Idol watchers would likely agree that Lambert was as dominant a presence over the course of Season 8 as any contender in Idol history.

I hope that Simmons is wrong, but he may not be.

Gee, Gene. And we all want to know about all your sexual escapades? Like…eyewww. I feel really sorry for every chick who woke up the next morning next to your ugly butt.

Honestly, it’s not Adam who is ramming this down people’s throats week after week. It is the freaking fangirl female and homophobic male journalists that the media keeps sending to interview him who can’t seem to let go of it. I was especially nauseated by the woman from Access Hollywood at the pre-tour media blitz on Friday. Her comments were totally uncalled for not to mention how Megan got dissed by being made to feel totally uncomfortable. The press needs to focus on Adam as a musician/performer and all the other million facets of his personality.

Gene: How did Adam kill his career b/c of his sexual preference? Take foot out of mouth and shut up already. No one cares about you except you.

Has anyone told Simmons that gay marriage is legal in Iowa but not in California?

Very, very good point. lol

Besides, the media has finally begun to move on and are talking about what producers Adam is working with, the tour, the unofficial album, etc. For some reason Simmons wants to bring this whole thing up again. maybe subconsciously he has a problem with Adam being gay?? I mean, as much as Simmons talked and continues to talk about how many women he’s been with, etc., its amazing this is a hang up with him.

Oh, LOL on the new edit icon. I have 599 seconds and counting!!!

My advice to Gene just STFU.

Oh good Lord, not him again.

It sounds like the interviewer brought it up in this case, but, yeah, I’m tired of hearing about it no matter whom brings it up.

I find his argument just silly. I live in Oklahoma (right in the middle of the country). How come, if there is likely to be such prejudice against Adam here because he’s gay, that the big arena in Oklahoma City was packed to capacity when Elton John performed there a few years ago. I was there, and can confirm it. Was the audience shipped in from the “enlightened” East or West?

I wonder if Simmons has a wee streak of prejudice himself, well disguised, of course.

G. Sim (don’t want to use his name since he just wants google hits) needs to remember that Adam got a HUGE amount of votes, enough to place second on AI. So what if he didn’t “win” the title, he won the second most number of votes, so I see the glass as all the way full…that’s a lot of votes, proving America “got” his talent. Adam will soar to great heights, G.Sim, & oh, yeah, you can STFU.

Actually I’m surprised Gene didn’t trot out the old chestnut “Some of my best friends are gay.”

Oh, well i was looking forward to Adam’s album more than anything in the history of the world, but NOW, well, i changed my mind because Gene Simmons, A Has-Been who still lives in the 70s, said his career is dead because he loves men…so it must be dead. What was i thinking? /sarcasm

Oo, i want to join in on the eye rolling too! :rolleyes_tb:

Adam’s album is going to be FUCKING AMAZING!!!

“”"Eh, I think G Sim head is still stuck in the 70′s. Adam didn’t suddenly spring his sexual preference on American through Rolling Stone magazine, it had been a topic of conversation all throught the American Idol competition. I think the reaction is one, big collective yawn’ ¦”"”

I dont think he still lives in the 70′s, that man, is using his brains and jumping on the Adam train and using the exposure he is getting thru connecting his name to a very hot topic right now. I think he is creating a situation that we can all talk about and in doing so it keeps G Sim name on our lips. This publicity helps his show, good or bad, publicitiy is publicity.

Oh and what screaming said, keeping his name showing up to be googled, I need to go back and change his name too

If America (Middle or otherwise) were so turned off by Adam’s sexuality, as G.Sim (also don’t want him to get hits) alleges, then Adam never would have made it to the Finale. Unless everyone became homophobes between Top 3 week and the Finale. And Adam would not currently have a staggering number of followers on his twitter account and members on his offical website, etc. G.Sim has no idea what he’s talking about, and I wish he would just go away already. He makes himself look bad, not Adam.

Poor Gene. He’s still feeling the sting of being shown up by Adam on the Finale.

As for middle America…I’m a conservative Christian mother of 5 and Adam rocks my world.

Get ready to eat some humble pie, Gene. “Kiss off.” LOL

I think Simmons is right to an extent, but took it kind of far. To say he is “done” is absurd. His career has barely even begun.

I do think Simmons has a point where all of this talk about his sexuality takes away from what he was actually known for, which is his music. The first questions reporters ask him is about his sexuality, rather then his music. You don’t want the music to take the backseat. But, it’s already done so whatever. I don’t think it killed his career though.

Oh, Gene, just stfu already. Adam didn’t kill anything except maybe your over-inflated ego when he completely showed you up on the AI stage.

Oh good Lord, not him again.

lol … he keeps turning up like a bad smell doesn’t he?

He’s like an univited guest at a Wedding .. ha

Of course he’s just answering the question asked and probably didn’t instigate bringing up Adam in the conversation, but he doesn’t make himself look any better with that kind of answer.

Way to keep your name in the press, Gene.

Oh, Gene, just stfu already. Adam didn’t kill anything except maybe your over-inflated ego when he completely showed you up on the AI stage.

Yeppers.

If America (Middle or otherwise) were so turned off by Adam’s sexuality, as G.Sim (also don’t want him to get hits) alleges, then Adam never would have made it to the Finale. Unless everyone became homophobes between Top 3 week and the Finale.

I honestly think GS may be so out of touch that he’s not even aware that Adam made it to the finale based on the viewers’ votes. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he’s never watched the show.

I am from the deep, deep conservative south and I can tell you that there are *some* people that would not support Adam because of the gay issue. (My *bestest* male Buddy called him a freak and said he would never vote for him….arg!!….so, so wrong!) but I digress………………
Anyway, I am old and I love Adam and am so looking forward to his music. There will always people like my *bestest* buddy….but he would never buy his music anyway! Will it kill Adam’s career??????? NAW!

The key words in Simmons “smack” are:

1. He’s enormously talented.
2. Best talent AI has had.
3. I do wish him the best.
4. He’s got all the talent in the world.
5. I hope he becomes the next Beatles and proves me wrong.

Personally, I think Gene is still ticked that people were saying Adam sings “Beth” best. I was gonna say “give it up Gene” but you know what? The more he rants, the more buzz Adam gets! So I’m just gonna say, “Keep up the good work, Gene” :clap_tb:

I’m not siding with Simmons, but an industry writer was concerned about Adam “coming out” (as Adam said he was always out). The writer said there hasn’t been anyone who came out before the start of their career, whether it be actors or singers. Adam is the first.

Ellie2
Jun 29th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Oh, Gene, just stfu already. Adam didn’t kill anything except maybe your over-inflated ego when he completely showed you up on the AI stage.

:clap_tb:

Gene should f***ing talk. Yesterday someone on the blog had a go-to site. It was Gene having sex with some woman. Pretty vivid pictures. So it’s okay for him because he’s hetero, but it’s not okay for Adam to be pushed into talking that he’s gay by the press, but it’s certainly okay for his hairy ass and balls to be up and exposed. He is an utter gutterball. Adam has class.

but it’s certainly okay for his hairy ass and balls to be up and exposed

ewww .. I bet that wasn’t a pretty sight .. especially if it resembled the hair on his head

Gene Simmons is an idiot.

I can’t help at roll my eyes at Gene.

Is this a cry for some publicity because it sure feels like it.

And coming from the man that was explicit about his escapades back in the day.

Pot meet kettle.

I question and wonder the hell what Adam was going to do. He was either going to have a address and it would still be a big deal or he was going to have consistently go through badgering about it.

He had a choice and he handled it, in his own way.

Gene needs a life.

I don’t think we can entirely dismiss Simmons’ thoughts about Adam’s career prospects. The finale voting on American Idol suggests that there was a sizeable Anybody But That Gay Guy bloc. I know that it is comforting to think that the other guy won on the basis of his dominating performances and popularity, but that’s not the only plausible explanation. Most long term Idol watcher would likely agree that Lambert was as dominant a presence over the course of Season 8 as any contender in Idol history.

I hope that Simmons is wrong, but he may not be.

I agree that we shouldn’t entirely dismiss what Simmons is saying. Adam’s got a challenging path ahead in a very competitve marketplace, and I know a few people in the music industry who privately say Adam would have had a better chance at success if he didn’t discuss his sexuality publically — no Rolling Stone interview, 20/20, etc. They are NOT worried about fan reaction, but about industry execs. who tend to be very conservative. It always about the money and “Why take a risk you don’t need to take?” Thanks to Idol and his fans, Adam has overcome some of these barriers. He has some level of fame, has a passionate fanbase, many new industry connections and a major recording contract. Now the only thing left is that he needs to create some great music.

That said, I think the AI vote outcome actually indicates that Adam has a real shot. Clearly, some people voted against Adam, some of the negative voters just didn’t like Adam’s musical style, some voters didn’t want to vote for the media/judges’ fav, and some voters were in the “Anybody But That Gay Guy block”. On the other hand, the vast majority of people who voted for Adam were Adam fans. Since he made it to the final, he had to have a large number of committed fans — even if he didn’t win — and he has continued to pick up fans since the show ended.

Adam would not currently have a staggering number of followers on his twitter account

Wow, Adam has only had his twitter going for a little over two weeks, only had time to post 10 updates and he already has almost 70,000 followers! Just wow. :wub_tb:

Ugh, this is getting really old. As if Gene hasn’t made his preference known. There’s a reason why no one in the music business takes him seriously anymore.

Oh, Gene, just stfu already. Adam didn’t kill anything except maybe your over-inflated ego when he completely showed you up on the AI stage.

Yep.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm I always thought that the #1 motivator for these conservative *industry executives* was $$$$$$$$. If Adam does well then they won’t give a rat’s @ss about his preference.

Gene, keep this up you will be killing (what’s left of) YOUR career.

Seriously, who really cares whether Adam is out or coming out. Rolling Stones is stuck in the 70′s and Adam would do best just to shut up about it and get talking about the music.

Rather bored reading about Adam and how gay he is. I agree with Gene. Adam needs to get out and prove himself outside of LA where everyone seems to know everything about him already.

Hallelujah! Finally “Middle America” is speaking up against these condescending sterotypes! I’m from Connecticut and am so freaking tired of hearing about Middle America and all their conservative viewpoints and prejudices. No rose-colored glasses here, but it’s nice to see things are not exactly what we’ve been told to believe…

Thank you.

@Duke:

Oh, well i was looking forward to Adam’s album more than anything in the history of the world, but NOW, well, i changed my mind because Gene Simmons, A Has-Been who still lives in the 70s, said his career is dead because he loves men’ ¦so it must be dead. What was i thinking? /sarcasm

Oo, i want to join in on the eye rolling too!

Adam’s album is going to be FUCKING AMAZING!!!

THIS!!! :clap_tb:

Seriously, who really cares whether Adam is out or coming out. Rolling Stones is stuck in the 70′s and Adam would do best just to shut up about it and get talking about the music.

Rather bored reading about Adam and how gay he is. I agree with Gene. Adam needs to get out and prove himself outside of LA where everyone seems to know everything about him already.

Are you serious? He IS talking about his music. He talked about his sexuality in the Rolling Stone article to get it cleared up. The media insists on continuing on with it, but they’re even beginning to drop it – it’s mostly all about his album now. But whatever, haters gonna hate.

****Seriously, who really cares whether Adam is out or coming out. Rolling Stones is stuck in the 70′s and Adam would do best just to shut up about it and get talking about the music.
Rather bored reading about Adam and how gay he is. I agree with Gene. Adam needs to get out and prove himself outside of LA where everyone seems to know everything about him already. *******

Well the tour begins on the 5th so you will get your wish and the talk should be only about the music, and Adam’s jacket. Adam isn’t the one bringing up his sexuality, he would rather talk about his music. He’s not going into interviews and saying, ‘hey I’m gay let’s talk about that’. Also he’s not the one that keeps putting his name in all these interviewers mouths, he’s not even in the room and they keep talking about him.

Guess I am going to have to stop watching Ellen, protest against “how I met your Mother, never watch reruns of Frazier, throw away my Elton CDs, stop taking financial advise from Suzie, make sure I never read or watch anything from the “Milk” writer…their careers, according to the logical progression of Mr. Simmons statement were over before they started or ceased to exist once they announced they were gay.

it’s simple, Gene. Just STFU. Too much blah blah blah from you now. :rolleyes_wp: :wacko_tb: :flush_tb:

Adam isn’t the one bringing up his sexuality, he would rather talk about his music. He’s not going into interviews and saying, ‘hey I’m gay let’s talk about that’. Also he’s not the one that keeps putting his name in all these interviewers mouths, he’s not even in the room and they keep talking about him

Exactly …. and in fact I think that Adam is getting a bit sick of people bringing it up and wants to talk about his music as when he was on the Ryan Seacrest show with Kris the other day and Ryan was going on about the gay thing Adam said something along the lines of “I’m also a singer” in a kind of “let’s stfu about this stuff and talk about something else” way.

.

I think the difference between Adam’s situation and other upcoming singers is that when Adam was on AI, not only did fans and the media take note of his mad talent, but also his incredible charm. Actors and other singers don’t have the opportunity for the public to get to know them before their first acting role or album.

I was thinking Kris needed to win more than Adam did, but Adam needed AI more than any other contestant on the show. A couple of people posted on another thread that the reason Adam wasn’t getting his break even tho he had some opportunites to show off his talent, was because he was openly gay.

Gene Simmons = MORON!!!

why is Gene even talking abt Adam every other week?. They just did a song together, that’s all. i don’t see Queen still talking abt Adam anywhere.

Anyway the truth abt music is if people like what they hear, the wld buy. Most times i don’t know who’s singing on the radio but i like the song and i go and look for it on itunes or where ever. yes there will be some people who get to itunes and say oh he’s gay so they won’t buy but i think most people wld if Adam has good songs.

Honestly, while I think Adam wants a huge career — who doesn’t, among performers? — if he could only get it by pretending to be who he wasn’t, dragging fake girlfriends to award shows, always being scared about what pictures would show up on the Internet, he’d probably be happier to settle for a smaller career. And it’s perfectly clear that you *can* get *some* career in entertainment, even if you are singing while known to be gay.

I do not agree that Adam’s career is doomed because of his sexuality, but I do agree that far too much attention is being paid to it. It is mentioned in every. single. article. written about him. Right now, his music has become secondary.

Rather bored reading about Adam and how gay he is. I agree with Gene. Adam needs to get out and prove himself outside of LA where everyone seems to know everything about him already.

Adam is going to have absolutely NO problem proving himself outside of LA – especially when he can shake AI. His worldwide appeal is already evident. The industry and press already adore him as well. Very rarely hear anything negative from them. Can hear crickets chirping for some of the other contestants though.

I have not read much lately about Adam being gay, since Rolling Stone and the immediate media that followed.

And Gene, how is that ride on the coat tails going for you? Gene is oh so very yesterday, and is there anyone who really wants HIS opinion? LOL And yes, Adam was better at Beth!

I do not agree that Adam’s career is doomed because of his sexuality, but I do agree that far too much attention is being paid to it. It is mentioned in every. single. article. written about him. Right now, his music has become secondary.

I think in some ways, the media just wants to talk about Adam, and since his music is not out yet, the only thing they can write about is his sexuality. I can hardly wait for the tour to get started, and Adam’s entrance and jacket are so outrageous, that is what the media will start talking about.

From a couple of recent interviews I saw, it was apparent Adam was getting tired of the sexuality talk. And Seacrest, of all people? He should know better. I would much prefer the female media fantard reaction, like Jillian Reynolds saying to pinch Adam’s buttcheeks for her; then at the end saying she loves Adam.

I do not agree that Adam’s career is doomed because of his sexuality, but I do agree that far too much attention is being paid to it. It is mentioned in every. single. article. written about him. Right now, his music has become secondary.

I don’t know, those HiFi articles never brought it up.

Maybe I should run and duck for bringing that up again.

(Still, while it is brought up, it’s not in every single article — it’s there a lot, but so is music news. I am surprised there is so much information out there about his collaborations for his album. I think there some mentions where it clearly wasn’t the focus, but mentioned in a way that Kris had his wife mentioned.)

would much prefer the female media fantard reaction, like Jillian Reynolds saying to pinch Adam’s buttcheeks for her; then at the end saying she loves Adam.

That was actually funny. Although, the Laura Saltman tour one caused a bit of second-hand embarassment for me. I thought after getting offered an interviewer’s womb in one of his first interviews set the bar low, but who knew there were lateral moves?

For the record, the Michelle Collins interview did crack me up.

Oh well, I don’t really put much stock in Gene’s statements about Adam anymore. There’s nothing really new in this latest one. It’s just a rehash of what he’s already said. I agree with MJ, Gene is still stuck in the 70s mentality, his attitude towards women is testament to that, much less his attitude towards homosexuality.

Or, maybe Adam is as good a promoter as Gene Simmons and all this gay talk is just setting the table for a big duet with Katy Perry singing “I Kissed a Girl and I Like It” or with Lady Gaga singing “Boys, Boys, Boys”.

Sorry folks, but GS is intitled to his opinion. Telling him to STFU or calling him a moron doesn’t negate his right to give his opinion. Just because he doesn’t agree with yours is no reason to tell him to shut up. I like AL but don’t “love” him. I hope he has a good career but he is not my cuppa.

Eh, Gene is just talking smack to see his name in print. I mean, do you really think the guy who is more famous for tongue enhancement surgery rumors and brilliant marketing than his musical abilities believes Adam’s career is shot because the press are chattering about his personal life? Cha.

As someone who lives in the middle of this country, I get so tired of the condescending, superior attitude of some who live in LA or NYC. I would like to introduce Gene to 2009 where gay people are accepted EVEN in Wisconsin or *gasp* Nebraska or any other state.

Sorry, Gene. L.A. isn’t the only progressive place in the country — you old irrelevant geezer.

(Still, while it is brought up, it’s not in every single article ‘” it’s there a lot, but so is music news. I am surprised there is so much information out there about his collaborations for his album. I think there some mentions where it clearly wasn’t the focus, but mentioned in a way that Kris had his wife mentioned.)

:doh_tb: Of course, this is probably why we’re hearing so much more about all of the collabs that’s happening for Adam’s album. “Looky here reporters, it’s time to get everyone’s mind off the sexuality factor.”

Of course, this is probably why we’re hearing so much more about all of the collabs that’s happening for Adam’s album. ‘Looky here reporters, it’s time to get everyone’s mind off the sexuality factor.’ 

I think it is a mixture of things: RedOne went to the media himself about it; when people set up the interviews, it’s best to put as much music information out there as well (like you mentioned); Twitter (it’s like news of the people and anarchy rolled into one!); and the pseudo-album situation. The article mentioning all the collabs in one place came out after the “old” album got another press release again. I didn’t think that was a coincidence.

Top that off with Adam getting a lot of press and not known for his filter (he seems to be the least resistant about mentioning what songs he is doing on tour) and we get a plethora of Adam’s album info. Either way, I like it.

The gay thing is so several weeks ago. It’s obvious that this old news has not harmed Adam’s career. He still has the majority of buzz, the hearts of many ridiculously obsessed fangirls like me and the love of media types and industry powerhouses everywhere.
That Rolling Stone cover was the hottest ticket in town, and I venture to say it will be one of the better selling ones in quite awhile.
Gene can say what he wants, but it seems clear to me that if he tosses some controversy and the name Adam Lambert into his quotes he knows the national media will pick it up. Otherwise, no one is listening to him.
He does have that crappy show to promote, and this is a way to do it.

It’s a good thing they made those coattails detachable on his jacket.

I don’t agree with Gene Simmons about him killing his career. I get tired of everything being about his sexuality, but I think those who like his music will support him and those who don’t won’t. Lady Gaga has a big following, at least for now, and that is the direction I see him going.

Life is unfair, and the masses don’t all live in L.A. They live in Wisconsin and Nebraska,

So … New York and Chicago don’t factor in at all? Lol.

Yeah … Simmons is sort stuck in the past. He should wake up and realize the stuff that’s going on in the world right now.

It’s a good thing they made those coattails detachable on his jacket.

:laugh_tb: … either that or they’re going to have to make them a heck of a lot bigger to accommodate all of those trying to hang onto them.

I agree with Gene that Adam is talented but dont agree Adam saying hes gay has killed his career. If Adam becomes another AI failure, it will be because his music sucked-not because hes gay.

LOVE ADAM!!!! I don’t think Gene is the one that keeps bringing this up, I think it is the press. I don’t believe Gene would want to share the spotlight with anyone!!!

…from a man who made a career out of wearing black and white make-up, spandex, and silver platform shoes? :lol_tb:

i’m using this :rolleyes_tb: but i really want to make the face adam made in the idolatry interview.

“did you hear gene sing at the finale? yeah. he was GREAT” *smirk*

and for anyone thinking HE is the one perpetuating the sexuality talk… he did ONE, count it, ONE interview where HE initiated the discussion. the rest… initiated by other people. and can you imagine the media shitstorm if he still had not talked about it? we would still be having 5 stories a day on the “is he/isn’t he” crap and countless TMZ videos hunting him more than they do already. so, in that regard, the sexuality talk would be taking up way more news real estate if he had “just shut up about it” than what has actually happened. i think it is still a part of interviews, but it is starting to burn out.

The gay thing is so several weeks ago. It’s obvious that this old news has not harmed Adam’s career. He still has the majority of buzz, the hearts of many ridiculously obsessed fangirls like me and the love of media types and industry powerhouses everywhere.
That Rolling Stone cover was the hottest ticket in town, and I venture to say it will be one of the better selling ones in quite awhile.

As I mentioned, it helped Adam to be on AI, and everyone got to see how incredibly charismatic he is. Even Randy said Adam was one of the most charismatic contestants they ever had on the show. It was Adam’s talent that got noticed first, then the rest of his personna is what made America love him. His sexuality was an afterthought. I think when the tour gets started and Adam’s single comes out, people will start talking about the music.

BTW, does anybody know if after the single comes out, do they have a video too? I think in Adam’s case, that would be an almost must.

To be fair to Gene, it sounds like the issue was not brought up by him but by the person interviewing him. Gene can’t help it if the question keeps coming up to him and he’s not really a “no comment” kind of guy. Like he said, he could be wrong and he hope he is wrong.

And since Kiss has a new album coming out this week and they are going on tour, this question is going to keep coming up.

BTW, does anybody know if after the single comes out, do they have a video too? I think in Adam’s case, that would be an almost must.

I would think they would be up for it. Adam’s video clips sold really well on iTunes even from just the post-finale glimpse, plus Adam has the whole visual aspect going on. If they do attempt to market him internationally, in Europe music videos are still more popular than they are here with their music channels still playing quite a bit of music. Concept!

I think part of the reason Adam’s sexuality is discussed (besides the media’s need to know and our current culture overall) is that his performance style can be sexual, so it’s part of the package and discussion, even if some outlets make it the main focus and in a non-relevant way. I can understand why it fits in some articles about Adam.

By the way, in regards to what Gene said, it’s actually rather nice coming from him. He may be stuck in a mindset that may or may not exist, but he does hope Adam does well and thinks he is amazingly talented.

Sure, there are still some people who can’t accept the fact that Adam came out and proud to be gay. But I believe that their opinions will eventually change once he comes out with his album and future performances. AI was an excellent vehicle for him to prove that he is a great singer/entertainer minus his sexual orientation. Right now, his preference is still the topic for some people but most of the media now are focusing on the Idol tour, his album with a list of impressive collaborators, etc.

I don’t think Gene is trying to be mean. Although his opinion does not really matter, he is still hoping that he is wrong that Adam killed his career. And the fact that he recognizes that Adam is the BEST talent AI has produced is already flattering enough to mean that he should have won.

So many different angles to the sexual orientation debate. My personal thoughts and opinions …

Did the fact that Adam was openly gay hurt his chances for getting a recording contract pre-Idol despite his obvious talent? Yes, imo, it was a big hurdle because of the mindset of the record companies and producers and the risks and investment dollars involved. We’ll never know if it would have ultimately prevented him from getting a contract, but Adam was obviously frustrated.

How did his sexual orientation impact him on Idol? Mixed bag. The fact that he finished #2 shows that there are a number of people out there (even those watching a fairly mainstream family show) who could care less about it and care only about the music (which represents progress, yay!), but the fact that it was even such an “issue” (hello, NYT and EW) and that he didn’t win (despite his obvious star power and mega-talent) shows (to me) that it ultimately hurt him somewhat (although he still got to perform in the Finale and scored a record contract, so yay!)

Was the RS cover and 20/20 a smart decision? Yes, he had no choice. It was right for him so I don’t question his decision. He’s an openly gay man and he doesn’t want to live his life pretending he’s something he’s not and constantly looking over his shoulder. I agree that Adam would rather settle for a smaller career and an open life, rather than a closeted life but greater success.

Has he killed his career by publicly coming out? Absolutely not. G. Sim is a publicity whore.

Has the continued focus on his sexuality by the media hurt him? Will it hurt his career? No, in the first place, it’s a smaller and smaller component of these interviews, and, secondly, there’s no new music to talk about. Only the JACKET! The tour will be here soon enough. And I really think if he continues to make it about the music (and I think he will), his sexuality will pretty much be a non-issue for him. Of course, he has to come through on the album (I think he will – I think he’ll rock the tour circuit too).

Is Adam sick of the sexuality talk? Yes, you can tell. He’s polite but he’s starting to actively steer the discussion into other areas. He’s already said he doesn’t want to be a spokesperson, he wants it to be about the music.

Are we all sick of the sexuality talk? Yes, on this one issue, I think Adam fans and non-fans can agree! We’re sick of it!

BTW, does anybody know if after the single comes out, do they have a video too? I think in Adam’s case, that would be an almost must.

I would think they would be up for it. Adam’s video clips sold really well on iTunes even from just the post-finale glimpse, plus Adam has the whole visual aspect going on. If they do attempt to market him internationally, in Europe music videos are still more popular than they are here with their music channels still playing quite a bit of music. Concept!

Yes, he had all 16 of his videos in the top 100 videos for the longest time. Some were way up there too. Asian women also love Adam’s looks too, so a video is an absolute must. Adam even mentioned he thought his look was like a Japanese anime (he said animination, but they really call it anime’ in Asia).

I would guess that the truth is somewhere in the middle, as is often the case when people are speaking in extremes. I don’t think that Adam has killed his career before it even started, and it’s unlikely that he will be as big as the Beatles. I think he will have a very successful career. Does he have as broad a scope of opportunities as he would have had if he were not well known as an openly gay man? Probably not. But I’m sure he understands that and considers it to be an acceptable deal so that he can be himself and damn the torpedoes. He has said that if anyone dislikes him because he’s gay, that they’re not someone that he would want to sing to anyway. I would feel the same way.

When Adam has equaled Gene’s 90 million records sold…or 9 million…or even 1 million, he and his fans can tell Gene to “stfu.” Until then, I’m with Gene.

dont bash me, adam fans..but rumour has it that adam secretly asked gene to speak about him in this interview in a provocative way, specifically referring to his sexuality…just so that the media is up in arms and the fans all ruffled and everyone gets to talk about adam lambert again, thereby only increasing his popularity and more importantly his twitter followers

:tongue_wink_ee:

“When Adam has equaled Gene’s 90 million records sold’ ¦or 9 million’ ¦or even 1 million, he and his fans can tell Gene to ‘stfu.’  Until then, I’m with Gene.”

I think he’s wrong about the career-killing thing–I doubt that is true in the US, and it’s demonstrably not true internationally. But he’s entitled to his opinion about that. And if Adam’s career is hurt because bigots won’t buy his music (which is different from simply not being into his style, which is fine), then that’s pathetic.

But what was actually offensive was that he seemed to compare being gay to bestiality, and he acted like it personally offended him to hear about Adam being gay, which is a bit hypocritical, to say the least.

That certainly made it seem like it was his own discomfort with gay people speaking. That’s what most people got really upset about, and that was offensive.

Hopefully you don’t have to sell millions of records before you’re allowed to point out double standards and offensive language with regards to gay people.

You’re forcing people to deal with issues they may not be interested in. Life is unfair, and the masses don’t all live in L.A….They live in Wisconsin and Nebraska, and you’re on crack if you think the same rules apply there.

While I was watching this season and talking amongst my friends who also watched, they thought Adam was fantastic. As a side note I said “too bad he’s gay….” They looked at me and were shocked because they didn’t know he was gay…duh!!! Many people just didn’t know (you would have to be blind not to notice) and still denied it even after he publicly stated so after the season. I’ve seen it all over on YouTube and the internet. Some said maybe he’s bisexual and thought that was cool tool. It was the talk of the internet, especially after all the pictures on line about him french kissing his then boyfriend, wearing clothes that screamed “queen” etc. Frankly, I found some of those pictures verging on porn. I would think the same if a straight person posted sexually explicit pictures on the internet. Some things should be private. I thought before he considered auditioning that he would have been wise to take those down. Kudos to him for not denying what his sexual perference was but I am sure that there are many gay people who wouldn’t put that kind of stuff on the internet. Hey, but in L.A. anything goes.

I don’t know if Simmons is right but he is right about one thing, it doesn’t go over too well with some people and there is nothing anyone can do to change that. In addition to all the “sexuality talk” about Adam, he also admitted to drug use. Again, he should have stfu.

All I have to do is point to Clay Aiken where many of his fans denied he was gay and then dropped him after he came out. His album went nowhere and he doesn’t get much radio play. Clay also had some contraversy with performing at this place and the coordinator didn’t want him to perform because he thought Clay was gay and then Clay denied he was so he actually was allowed to perform. So you are okay if you are gay in L.A. and of course on Broadway but middle-America???

If you want to see success in any occupation, the general rule is not to be too contraversial, don’t cause waves, and don’t open your mouth too much, even if you are right (others will disagree). In other words: stfu, and be discreet.

This is totally ridiculous! Adam did not kill his career.

Gene you need to get your head out of your (where the sun don’t shine)! Get real man, I’m your generation and you definitely don’t have room to talk. Quit riding Adam’s coat tails for publicity. You look like an old fool.

More and more Adam’s sexuality is being put on the back burner and his music is coming to the forefront.

Adam will be just FINE!!!!

I just noticed what JosieX said and I do believe you are very very wrong. Not only will Adam be bigger than the Beatles, but he will become a Legendary Music Icon. Adam has the creativity, brilliance and genius as did Michael Jackson.

ADAM ROCKS MY WORLD (ROCK & SEX GOD)!!!
ADAM IS PURE PERFECTION!!!

Well, it’s a rumor. Publicity is still publicity whether good or bad. Be afraid when people stopped talking about you.

Some people in Middle America might still be homophobic but I think 19E and RCA’s target is not only America but the whole world. And sad to say, people outside America are more open-minded and are more embracing that’s why they are predicting that Adam will be a big hit worldwide.

Three words I don’t ever believe I’ll hear GS say, “I was wrong”.

It’s good to hear that he has greatly tempered his initial statement, and to know that he has good will towards Adam.

I also find it awesome that he mentioned the Beatles in the same statement. I’m no longer mad at GS for being a dick. He is however, still a dick, but not as potent.

I have to partly agree with JosieX. I don’t think anyone will ever be as big as the Beatles, Elvis, Jackson, etc, ever again. The music industry these days is just not the money making machine it once was.

As for Simmonds, I think he has a deep rooted problem to have to keep commenting on Adam at every given opportunity.

I don’t think we can entirely dismiss Simmons’ thoughts about Adam’s career prospects. The finale voting on American Idol suggests that there was a sizeable Anybody But That Gay Guy bloc. I know that it is comforting to think that the other guy won on the basis of his dominating performances and popularity, but that’s not the only plausible explanation.

No such thing, lwc. Basic mathematics shows you that given the margin of victory, Adam won the higher percentage of the vote outside of Arkansas. However, the huge Arkansas turnout for Kris rendered the voting of the rest of the country near redundant. Adam would have had to win 80% of the vote in the rest of the country to win the contest and no contestant has ever done that – male, female, gay, straight, black, white, none.

LaurelG, I totally agree with you.

I think Simmons said what he said bcause there was never anyone in the acting or music industry who was openly gay before their career got started. It could (have) hurt their careers, but Adam already has a fanbase from American Idol, so, IMO, he won’t be killing his career. He may have lost some fans, but it is their loss.

You can’t compare Adam to Ellen, Elton, and others because they came out after their careers were established.

I was thinking Kris needed to win more than Adam did, but Adam needed AI more than any other contestant on the show. A couple of people posted on another thread that the reason Adam wasn’t getting his break even tho he had some opportunites to show off his talent, was because he was openly gay.

I agree, IMO Adam needed AI more than any other contestant. Adam needed to build a fanbase and AI gave him that opportunity. And, AI fans, mostly from “conservative middle America” proved to be more open-minded than the industry “experts” and execs. Even though Adam is wildly talented, that’s just not enough. He had to prove he had a market, and, as a performer, he just doesn’t fit into any nice, neat commercial “box”.

Gene Simmons just said what I bet Adam had already heard before he went on Idol. You’re “too gay” to be successful.

In the past, artists who didn’t fit “the system” resorted to alternative routes to breakthough — just like the path that Idol opened up for Adam. And, isn’t finding stars that the industry hasn’t “discovered” what American Idol was supposed to be about?

Rather bored reading about Adam and how gay he is. I agree with Gene. Adam needs to get out and prove himself outside of LA where everyone seems to know everything about him already. *******

canuck, I know I can speak for many when I say that we are already bored with Gene Simmonds using Adam’s name at every given opportunity. Why the desperation?

Adam needs to prove himself outside of LA? I’m sorry but I was under the impression that American Idol was broadcast across the country, not to mention around the world where before the live shows had even started, Adam was already on his way to an even bigger international following than any previous winner. I never realised LA sprawled all the way across the US, Europe, Asia and the southern hemisphere.

I don’t know where you live but I think it’s you who needs to look past the end of their nose.

Oh, well i was looking forward to Adam’s album more than anything in the history of the world, but NOW, well, i changed my mind because Gene Simmons, A Has-Been who still lives in the 70s, said his career is dead because he loves men’ ¦so it must be dead. What was i thinking?

I have to agree. I shall not be buying Adam’s album or anything he comes out with. I cannot go against the prophecies of Genius Simmonds.

When Adam has equaled Gene’s 90 million records sold’ ¦or 9 million’ ¦or even 1 million, he and his fans can tell Gene to ‘stfu.’  Until then, I’m with Gene.

I didn’t tell Gene to STFU, but I don’t care how much he sold or how little Adam has, I still think he is a tool and disliked KISS before I even knew Adam existed. I am not the type of person to tell someone to STFU, but if I were to tell GS so, it would have little to do with Adam.

Still, you think Gene is right and people will not be into Adam because he is gay? I agree that it will put some people off, but overall a portion of them probably wouldn’t have been into him anyway. I think it will affect his career to an extent, but won’t kill his career.

I have to partly agree with JosieX. I don’t think anyone will ever be as big as the Beatles, Elvis, Jackson, etc, ever again. The music industry these days is just not the money making machine it once was.

Nope, especially when it comes to sales and domination. However, there are new ways of being a dominant force in music, even if it is doesn’t compare to the past. It never will since culture changes.

If you want to see success in any occupation, the general rule is not to be too contraversial,

I think controversy sells. Madonna had one after another and that’s part of the reason she lasted so long.

In addition to all the ‘sexuality talk’  about Adam, he also admitted to drug use.

A musician who says he experimented with drugs? Unprecedented. Seriously it’s not like he’s an airline pilot or a school bus driver.

Personally I think Gene believes what he is saying but I hope he’s wrong. I hope the bottom line is the music itself and I do think we’ve made some strides as a nation on the issue of sexual orientation. The fact that Adam reached the finals is encouraging but the fact that he didn’t win shows there’s a ways to go, imo.

Overseas and in Canada this won’t be an issue at all.

I like how LaurelG lines her thoughts out, so I hope she doesn’t mind if I use her format.

LaurelG
Jun 29th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
So many different angles to the sexual orientation debate. My personal thoughts and opinions ‘ ¦

Did the fact that Adam was openly gay hurt his chances for getting a recording contract pre-Idol despite his obvious talent? No. I think his heavily “theatrical” style at the time hurt his chances. Before Kara called him out on it, he was heavy into the “Broadway” theatre style. Acting out the song to the point that it wasn’t believable. He fixed that after she called him out on it.

How did his sexual orientation impact him on Idol? Hard to say. On the one hand, I fear that yes it did. Many Idol fans have issues with their Idol being gay. On the other hand Adam’s musical style is so very different than Kris’s that it is impossible to compare. I prefer Adam. I find Kris’s “John Mayerish” style boring and becoming dated. But I know many fans feel otherwise. I think Kris won because he was the “safer” choice. I hope people voted for Kris because they preferred his musical style and not because they were hung up on Adam’s sexual preference.

Was the RS cover and 20/20 a smart decision? Yes, he had no choice. It was going to “come out” anyway. He hasn’t been in the closet before Idol. Eventually it was going to be confirmed by someone. This way Adam controlled it.

Is Adam sick of the sexuality talk? Yes, you can tell. He’s polite but he’s starting to actively steer the discussion into other areas. He’s already said he doesn’t want to be a spokesperson, he wants it to be about the music.

Are we all sick of the sexuality talk? Yes, on this one issue, I think Adam fans and non-fans can agree! We’re sick of it!

I skipped one item.

Has he killed his career by publicly coming out? Has the continued focus on his sexuality by the media hurt him? Will it hurt his career? I certainly hope it does not. His sexuality really should not have any say in how his career progresses from here. I really hope Adam’s sexuality will not hurt his career, but I have to be realistic. I think it is too soon to say. Yes there are other gay musicians with very successful careers, but how many of them ever came out at the beginning of their careers? Elton John married a woman before finally coming out gay. Freddy Mercury had a girlfriend before finally coming out gay. George Michael kept it hidden for a very long time. Even Clay Aiken had a established career before admitting he was gay.

Adam is the first gay man that I remember to come out at the beginning of his career. I think times are changing and it is not so “taboo” to be gay anymore. Gay marriage is legal in some states now. Companies are offering partnership benefits to their employees. Things like that were unheard of in the days of Elton John or Freddy Mercury when they were first starting their careers.

But I don’t think we can truly say this will not hurt Adam’s career until more time has elapsed.

And yep – Gene S is a publicity whore and I wish he would shut up already.

I hope the bottom line is the music itself and I do think we’ve made some strides as a nation on the issue of sexual orientation. The fact that Adam reached the finals is encouraging but the fact that he didn’t win shows there’s a ways to go, imo.

Overseas and in Canada this won’t be an issue at all.

Kris Allen even mentioned that in Arkansas, because of their religious beliefs, many people don’t believe in Adam’s “lifestyle”. He said in his circle of friends, they are like him, Adam’s sexuality doesn’t make a difference. Homophobia still exists. Just read the nasty comments in other blogs, after articles, and youtube. If I had a nickel for every person that wrote, “I will pray for Adam”.

Simmons said:

He’s done.

… but do I think he’s killed his career? Oh, in an instant. I hope I’m completely wrong. I hope he becomes the next Beatles and proves me wrong.

I think that Simmons has already been proven wrong. Adam has a major label recording contract and has achieved a high level of celebrity in just 5 months. If Adam produces good music, he’ll get more media coverage and online/radio airplay. And, assuming he does a great job during the AI Summer Tour, he’ll be able to sellout concert tours.

Plus, there has been almost no negative backlash to Adam’s RS interview, 20/20, and other open discussion of his sexuality. Sure there are a few haters but they were around before he came out. The whole story has already started to seem like yesterday’s news and will matter far less when Adam’s first real album comes out in the Fall.

I don’t think that Adam will be the next Beatles, but I don’t think he killed his career.

I find it interesting that many of the women who interview Adam and know he is gay, are drooling over him just like we are!!!

Adam is setting a trend and RCA is with him in testing the waters. That’s why RCA is giving him full support as evidenced by his impressive list of music producers. His list of music producers are hitmakers and have been in the business for a long time. Do you think they will work with Adam and waste their time with him if they also have the same line of thinking with that of Gene? The world is constantly changing and that’s what makes it exciting. So far, everything looks positive to me.

All I have to do is point to Clay Aiken where many of his fans denied he was gay and then dropped him after he came out. His album went nowhere and he doesn’t get much radio play.

He didn’t get radio play on his first album either, did he? He doesn’t really sing contemporary radio-music. Don’t know whether his slumping sales have much to do with the gay thing — they might, but then again lots of people, Idols and non-Idols, have had slumping sales over the past five years.

BestAI – i agree. there is some skeeery stuff out there in those comment sections. and just a word of warning, all of us adam fans are being “prayed for” as well. oh the debauchery of following a gay idol! personally, if adam and all the targets of those “prayers” are going to hell, that’s where i would rather be. party in the great inferno!

do i think that his sexuality will kill his career? no way in hell.
given what ive read in those comment sections and what i know still exists in some circles, do i think he will sell a few less records than he would have if he were straight? absolutely.

i have no doubt there will be individuals all over the country that will think twice about buying his record because they believe he is a “sinner”. it’s a sad fact, but i think it is changing and we are a lot more progressive than we used to be. and i totally agree that adam would, and should, live the life he wants if it means he sells fewer records. like he said “go buy the other guy’s record” and “those people aren’t the ones i would want as fans anyways, i want fans that are open-minded”

I loved Clay Aiken on Idol and was a big fan (went to his concerts, had his albums). It didn’t matter if he was gay or not, but the reason I stopped being a fan was because it just seemed like he got too whiny/bitchy, esp in respects to Idol. I turn my back on someone when people start turning their back on where they got started. hehe

By the way, am I the only one that being gay is a plus for Adam? Women (or maybe just me. ha) tend to love the gays and gay people are also a really active fan base as evidenced by their love of Cher, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, etc.

No such thing, lwc. Basic mathematics shows you that given the margin of victory, Adam won the higher percentage of the vote outside of Arkansas. However, the huge Arkansas turnout for Kris rendered the voting of the rest of the country near redundant. Adam would have had to win 80% of the vote in the rest of the country to win the contest and no contestant has ever done that – male, female, gay, straight, black, white, none.

Do you have all of the voting numbers? If so do you have a link?

ETA:

By the way, am I the only one that being gay is a plus for Adam?

No you’re not AC. I personally thought given Adam’s talent and the fact that he’s gay, he would win hands down. That’s why I personally didn’t spend hrs on the phone for Kris finale night. However, I don’t know why you included Kelly Clarkson in this.

Lola, I totally agree. I’m just so glad Adam is bursting on the scene in 2009, in a time when we are growing up as a society and Adam does not have to hide and live a lie. If we know anything about Adam, he is fierce, fearless and often honest to a fault. Thank God his lives in a time where he is allowed to live the truth of who he is, be happy, successful and see where his epic talent takes him. He’s worked his ass off, paid his dues and deserves every success that I believe is coming to him.

I was on the AI site last night, where I haven’t really been since the competition ended, and started reading the 780-page photo thread. I was cracking up. These people FLOVE him and they are people of every demographic and it also appears the wilder he is the better, for many. The Zodiac stuff, past Halloween costumes (amazing!), and “Kiss and Tell” performance shots I had never seen were crazy popular.

Remember how early in the season ABC News asked the “Is America ready for a gay Idol” question and the boards melted down with the majority of people saying, “Um, it doesn’t matter.” Sure, there are going to be those whose homophobia is going to affect if they like or don’t like Adam, but I do believe they are going to be in the minority and as Adam says, “I don’t really want to sing for them anyways.” And even Carrie Prejean said she loved him and thought he should have won.

Change happens when people make an emotional connection to someone who is different. That was what the Motown revolution was all about. And art, particularly music (because it’s so far-reaching) does have the power to break barriers. Part of the genius of Adam going on AI is that he understood the emotional element of the show, which obviously worked in his favor.

Please Gene, join us in the 21st Century. Or don’t. I won’t notice; I’ll be too busy obsessing about Adam.

The fact that almost all other singers came out after their careers were established was because of fear. They were afraid the public would not buy their music. The waters were not tested. Adam has proven by getting to the finale of AI and being the huge sensation he is, that in reality most people don’t care about his sexuality. It’s about the person, the music, the talent. Women have not stopped lusting after him even though he is gay. It doesn’t matter. I don’t see the difference between having a crush on George Clooney or Brad Pitt or whoever. Your chance of hooking up with them is exactly the same as hooking up with Adam. Nonexistent!
Adam can change the face of the business if he succeeds, being the first gay performer to be “out” before his career really starts. IMO the executives and producers do not give the American public very much credit. I think we will buy what we like, no matter the orientation of the singer. Hell, since we have all been talking about MJ, if being an accused pedophile does not stop the world from buying your music and going to your concerts, what does? Being gay is nothing compared to that! LOL
If Adam did not have the talent he does, this would have been a moot point form the get go. It’s going on 2010, isn’t it time to move on and get over the whole “gay” issue. Aren’t we all smart enough now to know that gay is not a choice, it’s the same as being blond or having blue eyes, it’s the way we are born! Let’s move on and celebrate the amazing talent of Adam, not who he wants to sleep with.
Simmons is a scum bag, always has been. Sleeping with over 2,000 women makes him a pathetic man with a huge inferiority complex and no self worth.
All this comes down to is, if you put out a product people want to buy, we don’t care if you are a pedophile or a womanizer or gay. We just don’t care.

I think that in this instance and few other instances, Gene didn’t bring the topic up, the press keeps bringing it up when they are talking to him, so really that is a testament to the press’s fixation with Adam and with Gene’s remark about Adam. Now Gene could say no comment but he just isn’t a no comment guy, he’ll give a full answer. He may get fed up with the question on this KISS tour eventually and it just so happens that is the part of the interview that is getting reported, not the rest of what Gene likely said in an interview. Adam fans should be happy no one seem interested in what else Mr. Simmons had to say, bwah.

ruskimom Jun 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm

‘ ¦from a man who made a career out of wearing black and white make-up, spandex, and silver platform shoes? :lol_tb:

Be careful now, what was Adam’s description of his AI tour outfit again? Bwah.

i have no doubt there will be individuals all over the country that will think twice about buying his record because they believe he is a ‘sinner’ .

I was taught that adultry is a sin….and damn there are a lot of singers that still sell even though they are proven adulterers.

“”Q3
Jun 29th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I was thinking Kris needed to win more than Adam did, but Adam needed AI more than any other contestant on the show. A couple of people posted on another thread that the reason Adam wasn’t getting his break even tho he had some opportunites to show off his talent, was because he was openly gay.

I agree, IMO Adam needed AI more than any other contestant. Adam needed to build a fanbase and AI gave him that opportunity. And, AI fans, mostly from ‘conservative middle America’  proved to be more open-minded than the industry ‘experts’  and execs. Even though Adam is wildly talented, that’s just not enough. He had to prove he had a market, and, as a performer, he just doesn’t fit into any nice, neat commercial ‘box’ .

Gene Simmons just said what I bet Adam had already heard before he went on Idol. You’re ‘too gay’  to be successful.

In the past, artists who didn’t fit ‘the system’  resorted to alternative routes to breakthough ‘” just like the path that Idol opened up for Adam. And, isn’t finding stars that the industry hasn’t ‘discovered’  what American Idol was supposed to be about?”"

^^

Also, I think record executives who thought Adam was “too gay” seriously underestimated his ability to get and keep (since he officially came out) a large female fan base who no doubt love his voice, but also find his looks part of the overall appeal. Sex sells especially since the music industry is 1/2 visual these days, so you know they take that into account when thinking about marketing a potential artist. They may not have realized until AI that they could market him as a sex symbol/whole package.

Gene is forgetting that he was able to sell androgyny to the masses.

By the way, am I the only one that being gay is a plus for Adam?

I think it could be a plus in that his “flamboyant style” gives him a schtick for top 40 and the top 40 video market.

We’ll know when his album is released. He’ll either do well or his sexual preference will be a negative factor and he’ll bomb like he did in the voting on Idol.

Gene is forgetting that he was able to sell androgyny to the masses.

Honestly, I think GS is only trying to keep his name alive. Think how many times his name has been mentioned today, and nobody who’s mentioned it here would probably have given one thought to him had he not said exactly what he did say to the reporter. He’s a marketer. He knows how to get attention.

Sure AI is broadcast across the country and Canada too, I might add. It’s not overtly about lifestyle though is it, at least not for Adam. I don’t recall them ever doing a segment on his partner and so forth, I wonder why if Adam is so forthcoming about being gay.

It seems like lots of people know Adam in LA and his sexual preference is not a big deal and nor should be. Gene was just saying that the rest of the US may not be ais accepting and really Adam should just focus on promoting his music first. He said he was talented, he gave him lots of accolades.

And yes, I do see further than the tip of my nose. LOL

haha Tess – i didnt say it was logical. ive made a couple feeble attempts at similar replies on those comment sections. of course it falls on deaf ears. apparently buying the music of divorcees and adulterers doesn’t make you a sinner like the music of a gay person does. it must be on a different frequency or something.

…or maybe there are similar comments on the message boards of the cheating/divorced/shell-fish eating/polyfiber wearing/etc artists and i just havent been monitoring their boards like i have been for adam. (but i doubt it). “ZOMG she’s getting divorced. EWWW wont buy her album! SINNER!”

By the way, am I the only one that being gay is a plus for Adam? Women (or maybe just me. ha) tend to love the gays and gay people are also a really active fan base as evidenced by their love of Cher, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, etc.

Yes and no. I think it gives him added cultural relevancy in some cases, and can help in some ways, but it also could harm him in a voting system like AI where you can vote AGAINST someone (and it would only show in the finale, possibly Top 3, since it would be ridiculously hard to vote against someone with mutiple contestants competing against them) and it doesn’t really take much effort to vote on a TV show. I don’t know if it was definitely a deciding factor, but I don’t think it could be discounted as being there considering some of the comments I saw on the internet leading up to the finale. I think that sort of thing is less of a factor out in the “real world” though, being that you cannot “take away” from sales. However, if enough buyers are put off by it, it could harm him. The style of music he seems to be aiming for seems to be marketable towards those who would have less of an issue with his sexuality.

I think it probably was a factor in taking a chance on him as an artist. An article from an industry perspective said Adam probably wouldn’t be able to get roles as a leading man still since people know he is gay, so you can see that mindset is there. He got a following and chance on AI though, so that’s all water under the bridge.

Adam has said a billion times that he came out (which he already quite clearly had been in LA) to the public b/c the brouhaha would not stop until he publicly stated that he was gay And so he did. And yet it keeps being brought up. And I don’t understand it. Nearly every bloody interview includes a mention of it. Why can’t we focus on his music? GSim could easily have said no comment, but no, he got to make more homophobic slurs. WTG, Gene. I agree; GSim is all about promotion (how many reality shows, etc. has he got going now?) and this was yet another chance to get his name out, no pun intended.

Adam’s album is going to kill b/c of his talent and the people he has working with him. He is grateful that got the platform he needed and now has the resources to get his music into the public arena. I didn’t know who he was a year ago–did you? Unless you are from LA, probably not. So thank you, Idol, for giving Adam the chance to share his brilliance with the rest of us (assuming you are a Glambert, and I know not everyone is).

Also, I think record executives who thought Adam was ‘too gay’  seriously underestimated his ability to get and keep (since he officially came out) a large female fan base who no doubt love his voice, but also find his looks part of the overall appeal. Sex sells especially since the music industry is 1/2 visual these days, so you know they take that into account when thinking about marketing a potential artist. They may not have realized until AI that they could market him as a sex symbol/whole package.

It wasn’t just the record execs… Adam brought up the story about his “Is Anybody Listening?” song in The Ten Commandments. He said it really frustrated him when the director and producer told him he sounded too gay and to tone it down.

I won’t be surprised if suddenly he’ll be bi-curious as time passes by. He always said that something can still be worked out. He likes challenging ideas and that keeps people talking.

I won’t be surprised if suddenly he’ll be bi-curious one of these days. He always said that something can still be worked out. He likes challenging ideas and that keeps people talking.

“Dream On”….But the boy will tease ya to sell a record!

We’ll know when his album is released. He’ll either do well or his sexual preference will be a negative factor and he’ll bomb like he did in the voting on Idol.

The fact is Adam did not “bomb” in the idol voting. Top 2-helloooo. I also don’t believe whether or not he does well is going to be based on his sexuality.

It wasn’t just the record execs’ ¦ Adam brought up the story about his ‘Is Anybody Listening?’  song in The Ten Commandments. He said it really frustrated him when the director and producer told him he sounded too gay and to tone it down.

Was the character gay?

“Dream On’ ’ ¦.But the boy will tease ya to sell a record!”

No worries. I love it when he teases.

“Sorry folks, but GS is intitled to his opinion. Telling him to STFU or calling him a moron doesn’t negate his right to give his opinion. Just because he doesn’t agree with yours is no reason to tell him to shut up. I like AL but don’t ‘love’  him. I hope he has a good career but he is not my cuppa.”

Yes, he’s entitled to his opinion as are you…but then again so is everyone who thinks he should STFU. My opinion is that he should STFU as well, because nobody cares really cares what that hypocritical has been has to say about a subject that should not be talked about anymore. Adam’s out, he’s moved on – now it’s about the music only. If Adam had not done the RS interview is would constantly be an issue, and every article or interview with him would always have that topic in it – it would have been a circus. Adam really had no choice but to officially come out and put it to rest.

G.Sim is just looking to ride Adam’s coattails period.

I just found this. He’s singing Is Anybody Listening? at a telethon five years ago. OMG, he is sooooo gorgeous. I still don’t see a trace of ugly duckling. He was also really emotional singing. Kinda sorta humiliating at the end when the lady asks if does weddings and barmitzvas because she has a son.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ–ayeYsI8

If you can’t open that, it is titled
Adam Lambert Wows Crowd, Live! 2004 Chabad Telethon

He is just so gorgeous in that video, no makeup.

I just noticed what JosieX said and I do believe you are very very wrong. Not only will Adam be bigger than the Beatles, but he will become a Legendary Music Icon. Adam has the creativity, brilliance and genius as did Michael Jackson.

That would be great, I love Adam. I think I’ll let him get an album under his belt before I can comfortably predict that he’ll outsell MJ and the Beatles though! But your enthusiasm is great, and I agree that there is a lot of well-deserved excitement about Adam’s potential. I definitely agree that he has the talent and charisma to be a big star.

I like AL but don’t ‘love’  him. I hope he has a good career but he is not my cuppa.’ 

Again, most people’s problems with Simmons’ comments are not that he didn’t love Adam (although, ironically, he says he does). Not everyone likes every singer, and that’s totally fine if he’s not your “cuppa.”

What is angering people is that he tells Adam to shut up about his sexuality while Simmons himself wrote a book about all the women he slept with, which is immensely hypocritical. Also, in his initial comment on this, he appeared to liken homosexuality to bestiality.

Basically, it seems like it’s Simmons who has issues with gay people–not the buying public, necessarily.

Simmons’ comments seem tinged with homophobia, and homophobia angers a lot of people.

Not only will Adam be bigger than the Beatles, but he will become a Legendary Music Icon.

This sounds like a joke. I flove Adam–I think he’s brilliant, one of the best and most interesting singers/artists/performers I’ve ever heard, and I think he could very well become a major star–but no one will ever be bigger than the Beatles. Our society, not to mention the music industry, just isn’t built like that anymore. It’s sort of like how we have great and famous actresses today, like Meryl Streep, but no one’s ever going to be an icon in the way that Katharine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn were. That just doesn’t happen anymore.

And even if it could happen, putting such tremendous pressure on Adam at this point is, IMO, premature and unwise.

Madonna’s infamous coffee table photo-book, simply called ‘Sex’, shocked the world when it was released worldwide on October 21, 1992. Madonna has constantly reinvented herself and can still sell out an arena despite her “shocking” persona.

Apparently Madonna didn’t get the message, reinharv, to STFU! We have many, many popular entertainers who have pushed the envelope and in turn became musical pioneers.

In addition to Madonna, off the top of my head, 50 Cent, Eminem, Michael Jackson (I’m not talking about his personal life, his music videos broke the color barrier at MTV), Lady Gaga (disco stick, yikes!) and the list, just like the beat, goes on and on and on! (Maybe even KISS should be on the list?)

Every generation has a pivotal moment when something new comes along; for example Elvis (he emulated “black music” and also scandalized the country by wiggling his hips), the Rolling Stones (considered bad boys in their day), rap music (who knew rhymes set to a beat would sell?)!

Not everyone likes the next new musical thing, but if enough do to make it profitable, a barrier has been broken. An openly gay performer? Adam Lambert? The next new thing…he may not be as big as Elvis or the Beatles, but he will have a career. Remember when he tried out for Idol? The judges weren’t all that crazy about him, in fact it took several episodes before they got over him being “too theatrical” (code word for gay) and fell in love with his voice. It also took me awhile to appreciate Adam, but now I’m hooked. Thanks to Adam, eventually “the gay thing” won’t be such a big deal.

I’m not crazy about all of the “icons” I mentioned, but they are doing just fine without me, thank you very much. Not everyone will be a fan, some because of Adam’s sexuality, and some because of his singing and style. However, I will be plugged in and turned on by Adam. And I won’t be alone.
:redface_wp:

I find it interesting that many of the women who interview Adam and know he is gay, are drooling over him just like we are!!!

Well, yeah, he’s ADAM … JK, I find that incredibly interesting too, since these people meet EVERYONE and there is a definite difference. Adam makes women lose it.

BTW, I think the true detriment to Adam’s career, far moreso that being gay, is if he were a cocky, pompous ass (looking at you, GS).

So now that the HiFi hype is quiet, we’re back to discussing Adam’s sexuality? That tour can’t start fast enough, imo, c’mon Sunday!!!

but no one will ever be bigger than the Beatles. Our society, not to mention the music industry, just isn’t built like that anymore. It’s sort of like how we have great and famous actresses today, like Meryl Streep, but no one’s ever going to be an icon in the way that Katharine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn were. That just doesn’t happen anymore.

I’d have to agree. I don’t think any of today’s music acts will get as big as the Beatles just as none of today’s actors or actresses seem as big as their counterparts from yesteryear.

It seems like lots of people know Adam in LA and his sexual preference is not a big deal and nor should be. Gene was just saying that the rest of the US may not be ais accepting and really Adam should just focus on promoting his music first. He said he was talented, he gave him lots of accolades.

I think Gene is overlooking the fact that Adam came in second in votes. Who was voting for him? His friends in LA? It had to be a few more people than that. The fact that he did that well with Idol’s conservative audience is encouraging. And I think that most people who voted for him knew or suspected that he was gay. It was a small number of people who were clueless and of those how many would change their vote now that they’re aware of it? That’s an even smaller number.

I’m not saying there isn’t a homophobic element out there because clearly there is. I’ve seen people leave comments online that he’s going to hell and don’t want to have anything to do with him. Of that group I have to wonder how many of them would have been interested in his music in the first place though.

I think Gene Simmons should shut the fuck up. Adam has been doing fine, I mean who does the media talk about more? Adam or Kris? Adam. And I haven’t heard much about his sexuality being spoken of since after Rolling Stones.

Is Gene Simmons even paying attention to the world?

I also funny he’s talking about how Adam killing his career when Simmons has a shit ass show on A&E

Maybe GS could go back to using his tongue for its originally intended purpose — as a showy, freakishly over-sized appendage, no doubt the only one GS has — instead of functionally, for speech.

http://www.helium.com/items/1266732-gay-lesbian-musicians

From an article written by Amanda Fox — Successful gay and lesbian musicians

Elton John — 32 years “out of the closet”

Freddie Mercury — “never hid who he was or what he believed” “transcended the stereotypes many people held about the abilities of gay men to be true rock icons” — close to 29 years ago

Rob Hafford — Front man Judas Priest — “speculated to be gay as early as the late 1980′s, no one took it seriously” 1997 admitted to being gay. “Finally it seemed like the world of metal was ready to accept gay men could, in fact, be a part of the metal scene …” “for this Rob Halford is important in music history as he was the first openly gay world known heavy metal artist” — 12 years ago

Melissa Ethridge — “at a time when it was still a career killer, Ethridge proudly stood up as a lesbian woman”

Other notable successful gay and lesbian musicians: K.D Lang, Marc Almond of Soft Cell, Billie Joe Armstrong (bisexual) Green Day, Joan Baez, Long John Baldry of “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” fame, Meg Christian, Darby Crash of the Gems, Boy George, Sophie Hawkins, Daren Hayes of Savage Garden.

“What is important to take from this is that gay and lesbian singers have been around as long as there has been music. They cross all musical genres and are among some of the most beloved and successful musicians of all time.”

Being openly gay for Adam Lambert is as natural as breathing. (If I’m not mistaken, he might have used this very analogy himself.) He can thank those listed above for paving the way for him, some over three decades ago. Adam Lambert being a gay artist is not earth-shattering. In fact, in 2009 it shouldn’t even be news.

I believe the fan girls propagated the Media’s focus on Gay Adam Lambert. They bought up, read, commented on anything Adam Lambert. Whatever sells.
Kudos to Adam for being honest about his sexuality, but, as noted above, he wasn’t the first. I take my hat off to those who came before him. They were the true heroes.

On a sidenote — I find it interesting when G.Sims. mentions homphobic America, he’s an irrelevant ass, but when Adam Lambert fans make the same claim, it’s an absolute truth. At least 75% of Americans are Christians, most are open-minded, 20% probably are not. Hopefully, that’s true because, Adam will not be successful with his Idol fanbase alone. It would probably be in Adam’s best interest if his fans stopped the homophobic name-calling and sweeping generalizations about Middle America and Christianity. And who knows where those that are Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu stand on this subject.

I hope Adam being gay does not become a fail-safe, if things are not as stellar as the predictions trumpted here. YMMV

Evanjane: I don’t think anyone’s trying to say that Adam is a hero standing alone in the fight against homophobia in the music industry. Of course there are a number of successful gay and lesbian singers, and they have paved the way. But it is true that there has been no one in the US who has been openly gay when starting their career at Adam’s level of fame. That’s something that’s been remarked on and discussed by people from Ann Powers in the LA Times to Rolling Stone to Alex Ross, the New Yorker music critic:

“Lambert was this season’s first major sensation, and remains its biggest star. “I’ve been an ‘Idol’ fan since Season 5, and as far as I can tell he’s the strongest musical talent who’s ever been in the competition,” said Alex Ross, music critic for the New Yorker. “Beyond the flair and style he’s a very technically secure, accurate singer who is especially good at getting the words across — diction and such — and finding different colors for different songs.”

“In terms of the sexuality question, that’s up to him to say, but he’s obviously not conventionally masculine in how he dresses and how he talks, and there’s no sense that he’s ever tried to hide it,” said Ross. “He’s totally matter of fact — and that is really startling to see on mainstream TV. It seems almost heroic to me.”

I don’t think that there is enough homophobia in the US to prevent Adam from having a successful career here, and even if I’m wrong, that would certainly be no barrier to international success. I think what’s annoying people about Simmons is that while many fans here believe that homophobia may have cost Adam the win (IMO it contributed, but it didn’t cause him to lose), they don’t believe that the buying public outside of Idol will have the same problems. (Plus, Simmons came across like it was him who had the issues with gay people–comparing homosexuality to bestiality?). We’ll just have to see.

I’m not fond of Gene Simmons or anything about his life style, but I do think that he is right in that Adam does not want the focus to be on his sexuality, but rather on his music. It was a calculated risk he took coming out in Rolling Stone. Just like hinting in another interview that he might be bi-sexual. To me it just seemed like a ploy to hold on to the media attention. He seems quite good at self promotion. Anyone who actually watched the show never believed he was straight and to his fans it doesn’t matter. I’m not sure how much it will matter to others. I live in Illinois but am from Chicago so not exactly rural midwest or even downstate Illinois. Who knows how others will react. I think it all remains to be seen. Just as the judges had him crowned American Idol the second week of the contest, his fans have him crowned the next world super star before he has even released his first actual album. We’ll see who is ready for Adam Lambert at this time next year. I wish him the best of luck in his career, but am not sure how much of what Gene Simmons says might be right.

FairyKing, I think that is the kind of thing that will hurt Adam. You can’t compare the buzz over Adam with the lack of buzz over Kris when the buzz is primarily about whether he is gay. That is the very heart of it all. The buzz needs to be about his talent not his lifestyle. We really have to wait until both artists have released their first album and we see how well they sell. I think they could both be very successful or they could both fall flat. It depends on promotion by their respective companies and also on the buying public. People are fickle.

I’m not fond of Gene Simmons or anything about his life style, but I do think that he is right in that Adam does not want the focus to be on his sexuality, but rather on his music. It was a calculated risk he took coming out in Rolling Stone. Just like hinting in another interview that he might be bi-sexual.

Adam does want to focus on his music. He has said that many, many times. Early on he said it’s about singing, not about who is kissing who. The press would not leave him alone about his sexuality, so he almost had no choice to officially come out in RS. In the other interview, he flat out said he was not bi-sexual, but he could be bi-curious as he has kissed women. I can see that in him because he is so charming, w/o even trying, especially with women. I think men are even enamoured with him because of his personality.

Natasha, you make a good point. For Adam to have done as well as he did not Idol even if it was 37 million votes as one higher up at AI suggested, that is a lot of people outside of Adam’s LA friends and family who are voting for him and who might buy his album regardless of his sexual preference. Gene Simmons says Adam needs to get the focus back on his music, but he (Simmons) seems to be keeping the sexuality issue on the forefront.

GS is nothin but a cacklin old hen. I mean, come on, he was on Celebrity Apprentice for heaven’s sake! Has that show ever featured anyone of any significance in the here-and-now (except maybe Herschel Walker, love that guy).

FairyKing, I think that is the kind of thing that will hurt Adam. You can’t compare the buzz over Adam with the lack of buzz over Kris when the buzz is primarily about whether he is gay. That is the very heart of it all. The buzz needs to be about his talent not his lifestyle. We really have to wait until both artists have released their first album and we see how well they sell. I think they could both be very successful or they could both fall flat. It depends on promotion by their respective companies and also on the buying public. People are fickle.

Adam was getting a lot of buzz even before they were talking about his sexuality. People were talking about his talent, charisma and looks. If you read the early articles, they never referenced his sexuality, just about this sensational singer/performer, the likes of whom they’ve never seen on the idol stage.

If Scott had been gay, it would not be likely he would have gotten that much buzz, made RS cover, or have been on 20/20, Access Hollywood, gotten the YHA award, etc. Think about it.

*****Gene Simmons says Adam needs to get the focus back on his music, but he (Simmons) seems to be keeping the sexuality issue on the forefront.

EXACTLY!

I really didn’t see any early articles, but I wasn’t actually looking. The first article I saw about Adam was in Entertainment Weekly when he was on the cover about top 3 week or perhpas top 4. There was a lot of internet buzz primarily from fans though and that was primarily about his performances and his range. If he didn’t want his sexuality to be an issue he could have simply been honest to begin with rather than making it a secret. That is what caused the buzz. Although maybe AI wouldn’t let him.

Best AI, none of the articles and accolades you mention came early on. All of them were post Idol season 8, right? Regardless, there is no denying Adam’s talent or his appeal to both genders.

Thank you Gene Simmons for acknowledging Adam is the best , in your words,

‘He’s enormously talented, best talent ‘American Idol’ has had, but I think he killed his career because now the conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference. He’s done.’ 

Because I , my family, my friends, the entire staff of the corporations we work with in North American ,in Asia and parts of Europe, are all of the same mind that Adam Lambert is the best new singer and performer we have encountered this year.

As to whether his career has been asphyxiated by prejudice, irrational biases or all sorts of phobia (including neophobia ‘“when the old fears the new ), the sales of his published records via iTunes show that his work is still alive . Today even with the Michael Jackson onslaught , Adam’s Madworld is still in the top 100 music videos sold at Itunes, after being there for about 12 weeks already. His album stayed on the iTunes top 50 until last week just when the MJ onslaught came on.

Not a bad career standing for someone who from the very first week of appearing on public TV at American Idol has been fodder for all controversies, jokes, name calling and all sordid you can think of. Adam not only survived but triumphed in a very classy way.

So I think the verdict as to whether Adam’s career is considered in rigor mortis would be handed down after two major litmus test – the first is the live concert ‘“ if everyone walks out on his set . (I believe it will be the opposite, everyone will have their energy all sucked out by the excitement of Adam’s performance they will not be able to leave the arena whole again.)

Secondly ‘“when his fresh album comes out by Thanksgiving and it sells Zero . Then Mr. Simmons we will hail you as the next Nostradamus.

But it is true that there has been no one in the US who has been openly gay when starting their career at Adam’s level of fame. That’s something that’s been remarked on and discussed by people from Ann Powers in the LA Times to Rolling Stone to Alex Ross, the New Yorker music critic … “there’s no sense that he’s ever tried to hide it,’  said Ross. ‘He’s totally matter of fact ‘” and that is really startling to see on mainstream TV. It seems almost heroic to me.’ 

Word to this and your entire post, isisdagmar.

evanjane:

I believe the fan girls propagated the Media’s focus on Gay Adam Lambert. They bought up, read, commented on anything Adam Lambert. Whatever sells.

So you’re saying it’s the fans’ fault that the media focused so intently on Adam’s sexuality? Because they were basically doing what all fans do which is to read up on, comment on and show an interest in their favorite? Sorry, I don’t buy that one bit.

The media may have thought that’s what the reading or listening public might have wanted to know about; they might have thought it made for a good story angle because no maybe-gay person (tm Ann Powers, LA Times) with such obvious talent and potential (who was also liked by the judges) had ever reached that stage of the competition before and been within striking range of the title. But to put this at the doorstep of Adam’s fans and say they caused all the talk about his sexuality? No, I don’t believe that’s true at all.

i don’t know why gene simmons keeps talking about this. he’s making it more of an issue. but it is true that some people are not interested in becoming a fan solely because he is gay. i tried to talk to a very conservative member of my own family about adam, and all she could say was that she didn’t like his “character” and he’s a “bad role model.” I told her that her idol, Kris, wasn’t judging Adam and that I thought Adam was in fact a good role model for people who feel different, and that he is respectful of everyone. She also said that we should love gay people but don’t have to accept them, which to me is very contradictory and hurtful. The bible does indeed have the words “acceptance” and “tolerance” in it, folks. I don’t know why some Christians have a hard time applying these two words to gay people. Unfortunately, there are many other people like my family member out there who are afraid of opening of their minds a little bit and still want to judge gays as worse sinners than the rest of us. I hope that one by one, we can all try to help some Christians have Kris Allen’s attitude. I know both Kris and Adam have already changed many people’s hearts.

Gene Simmons is a marketing genius. Period. (If you study the history of Kiss, you’d be hard-pressed to draw any other conclusion.) And as a marketing genius, his opinions relative to self-promotion carry some weight.

If you read what Gene says in this latest interview, you might reasonably conclude that while Gene believes Adam to be more than worthy of commercial success, he is, nevertheless, concerned that a broader cross-section of the American buying public might be turned-off by all the talk about his sexual orientation. That’s all! In other words, he’s of the belief that the “gay” talk is but a distraction–a distraction that threatens to overshadow all else. Simple as that.

I don’t think for one minute that Gene is a bigot or somehow sympathizes with bigots, and I don’t find this particular statement to be bigoted or in any way sympathetic to bigots. He was simply making an observation, as a marketing expert, relative to the apparent marketing strategy of Adam Lambert, to date.

Simple as that.

Really? This is what Simmons said originally: “Mostly he should shut up about his sexual preferences. We, America, the rest of the world, really don’t care,” Simmons said, adding, “I mean, if the story becomes ‘I prefer farm animals to,’ you know, who cares?”

1) Leaving aside the fact that Adam did the Rolling Stone thing because, clearly, until he laid it all out there, the sexuality speculation was going to continue (i.e. people clearly did care, too much), Simmons is hypocritical for telling anyone to shut up about their sex life given that he discusses his with great frequency and in great detail. And he doesn’t characterize this as just his concern about how American will react to Adam–he makes it clear that it is he who does not want to hear about being gay. So, what reason could there be for that when he clearly believes that everyone is interested in hearing about all of Simmons’ heterosexual exploits?

2) Much worse: “Farm animals”? He’s talking about gay people and the first thing that jumps to his mind to compare it to is sex with animals? Please don’t tell me that you actually think that he would have used such a comparison had he been referring to a straight guy’s sex life. Homosexuality gets compared to bestiality a lot by people who don’t approve of being gay. Simmons certainly sounded like that’ what he was doing, whether consciously or unconsciously. Maybe he was just being insensitive, but the two statement together paint an unattractive picture.

So he was at minimum hypocritical, at worst homophobic. That’s why people are upset at him. I actually didn’t have much of a reaction to it because Simmons’ opinion is a) his to express and b) doesn’t matter in any material way, but I did perceive elements of both hypocrisy and homophobia that I found irritating.

isisdagmar — Very, very well said. Thank you.

GS did tone down his remarks a bit in this latest interview, so it’s useful to go back to his original statements, which he says he totally stands by.

IsIsDagmar: Farm animals? Homophobes relating sex with sheep or cows to sex between two humans of the same gender? Never heard of it, and I don’t know anyone who would draw such a relationship–directly or even tangentially. Ick.

That particular quote is almost nonsensical; it’s a fragmented thought. And so I have no idea what he meant by it. It was certainly hypothetical. Perhaps he meant that the farm animal angle would actually (if true) be worthy of revelation, lol! Gene has a sick sense of humor, this we know. But seriously, he likely changed gears and just ended the thought with a “who cares?” because a) he was either lost in his own thoughts, or b) he meant to say that Adam should be talking more about his music.

Perhaps Gene believes that while his own exploits dovetail nicely with a fan-centric marketing strategy relating to a classically heterosexual, male-dominated rock and roll ethos, Adam’s confessions (and accompanying photo essays) do not.

Farm animals? Homophobes relating sex with sheep or cows to sex between two humans of the same gender?

Oh of course! Bestiality, pedophilia, and incest are always compared to homosexuality by the most rabid homophobes.

ETA: I’m not saying GS is a necessarily a rabid homophobe, but he sure impersonates one well when he shoots his mouth off like that.

And Mr. Ross, the music critic, should apologize for bastardizing and otherwise devaluing the term “heroic.” Indeed, Adam’s coming out after Idol surely couldn’t be termed “heroic” by any definition in light of the fact that “everyone” supposedly knew about it already. Of course, if “everyone” knew, why didn’t he just go ahead and spill the beans on-air? Now THAT would have been “heroic” in my book. But, of course, we all know why he chose not to make the announcement mid-season. Hint: It has nothing to do with legal mumbojumbo.

Now THAT would have been ‘heroic’  in my book.

yep, I am sure that would be considered heroic, to just stand up on the idol stage and say, oh, and by the way, I like dudes. Way to go Adam, context, please? Seriously….

IsIsDagmar: Farm animals? Homophobes relating sex with sheep or cows to sex between two humans of the same gender? Never heard of it, and I don’t know anyone who would draw such a relationship’“directly or even tangentially. Ick

These comparisons are ubiquitous. Read any statement by anyone who opposes gay marriage, especially any politician. Read any statement by any pastor or other religious leader who opposes gay marriage. Look at any of the ads run or statements made about Prop 8. Listen to Rush Limbaugh. Turn on Fox News pretty much any time.

When people don’t approve of homosexuality, they compare it to bestiality, incest, and pedophilia. This is done constantly, and has been done for decades, especially by the religious right. You’re the first person I’ve ever come across, in any part of the country, who wasn’t aware of such comparisons, and I highly doubt that Simmons isn’t.

I’m not saying that he’s necessarily a “rabid homophobe” as Will said, but the fact that his mind jumped from gay sex to sex with animals (again, that would never happen with someone discussing heterosexual sex) speaks of at least some homophobia, whether conscious or unconscious. A “sick sense of humor” doesn’t lead someone to indirectly put gay sex in the same category as bestiality. Homophobia does that, and I’ve seen that comparison made too often to believe that it can be made innocently.

Those are just the facts. If you really don’t want to believe that his comments might contain offensive elements, you don’t have to.

As for Adam being heroic: he has said that he didn’t want to have to deal with questions about his sex life while he was trying to focus on the music and acclimate to his sudden fame, and he wanted his time on AI to be as much about him as a singer/performer as possible, so he just was himself without discussing it until after the show, which seems like a perfectly valid way of dealing with that situation to me. No one else was being commanded to discuss their personal lives at the expense of their music, so I don’t see why the fact that he is gay means he should have been the only one to do that.

I don’t think anyone’s claiming that Adam is the heir-apparent to Harvey Milk and MLK or anything like that. But it takes real guts to live your life being exactly who you are when who you are is considered offensive or weird or even evil by a significant chunk of society. I am straight so I’ve never had to deal with that personally, but a number of my close friends are gay, and seeing them be made to feel like second-class citizens (as Adam is made to feel constantly, and as all gay people will be made to feel until we have full equality in this country), yet seeing them still refuse to change or moderate who they are in any way, gives me tremendous respect for them. I have tremendous respect for Adam. I don’t completely know that the word “heroic” applies–I’d have to think about that one more–but I do know that he is determined to be exactly who he is, he’s doing something that no one has done yet (although many brave people have paved the way), and that takes courage. I’m not awarding him a Purple Heart or anything, but what he’s doing does take courage.

Incidentally, this whole thing reminds me even more of why I love Kris. I am Christian, and it so often seems like most public figures who call themselves Christians are the ones comparing homosexuality to bestiality, and I don’t recognize Jesus in that at all, so having someone like Kris come on the scene is truly inspiring.

I’m not awarding him a Purple Heart or anything, but what he’s doing does take courage.

Incidentally, this whole thing reminds me even more of why I love Kris. I am Christian, and it so often seems like most public figures who call themselves Christians are the ones comparing homosexuality to bestiality, so having someone like Kris come on the scene is truly inspiring.

Absolutely….

Beautiful, thoughtful posts, isisdagmar. I agree with everything you wrote.

carolinacharms:

If you read what Gene says in this latest interview, you might reasonably conclude that while Gene believes Adam to be more than worthy of commercial success, he is, nevertheless, concerned that a broader cross-section of the American buying public might be turned-off by all the talk about his sexual orientation. That’s all! In other words, he’s of the belief that the ‘gay’  talk is but a distraction’“a distraction that threatens to overshadow all else. Simple as that.

Ummm, no, I think what he said was that Adam has killed his career. Killed it. In an instant. Simple as that. That’s my conclusion anyway, based on his words which speak for themselves and need no reinterpretation, imo.

And I think what Ross actually said was … “It seems almost heroic to me.” No, I don’t think anyone’s awarding Adam a purple heart just yet, but I do recognize that what he’s done already takes courage. A lot of other people do too.

Love Kris too. And his brand of Christianity.

Peace, LaurelG. I have a life to live. I merely want the name-calling to end on both sides. Whether it’s Adam’s fans repeating the mantra of Homophobic America or Celebs and journalists milking the gay issue to garner attention or rile up the fanbase. And yes, fanbase because America on the whole has moved on. For most, it was purely entertainment after a tedious work day, school day, whatever. Entertainment. Not everyone is as invested. They do not think about Adam Lambert every waking moment. Let’s go out on a limb here and say not at all.

If they are aware at all, reading the back and forth bickering, will not help Adam. Especially, if people who are in Adam’s corner are labeling most of America, homophobes. I know it bugs the hell out of me.

I’m Christian. In fact, I’m Catholic. My brother-in-law is a Gay Catholic. My husband is a Divorced Catholic. I married in a non-denominational Protestant church, and in the eyes of the Catholic church, I’m not married. I can live with that because in my heart, in the deepest part of me, I believe in the end I only answer to God. I’m friends with very cool priests. It’s all good. My children are happy, I’m happy. TMI Iknow, but I felt it was necessary for some to see where my world-view derived.

It’s a different world with difficult choices to make. People are struggling day-to-day with ISSUES that have nothing to do with Adam Lambert being gay. He’s made peace with it, perhaps his fanbase should as well.

The media iniitially saw that the gay controversy “sold”. I’m sure there was a spike in sales for US weekly, People, Entertainment Weekly. I bought several magazines for Kris Allen that I normally don’t buy. The boys, hot off Idol, sold magazines. The media ran with it. No one I know bought Rolling Stone for Adam, even the ones that loved him. Last year, I bought it for David Cook and he as last year’s winner of American Idol wasn’t on the cover. He didn’t deserve it, not yet. He’s still paying his dues, building up his rock cred and audience. He had a nice piece inside with pictures. Coldplay was on the cover that year.

It was my “fervent” belief, Adam was on the cover because of the Gay reveal. That is where he said he chose to reveal it, in print. He thought it would be cool. There’s a lot of hot, proven artists out there that deserved the cover more. I am not berating Adam’s talent at all.

I am not here to convert you from your beliefs. I know whatever I say will not change that. No worries.

I believe Kris Allen and Adam Lambert were the best thing that happened to America, and I’m not talking talent-wise. They are what young America is all about — on the whole. America would have imploded long ago, if we as a nation couldn’t live together with all its diversity. I live next door to a Puerto Rican family and an Albanian family. Multi-cultural at it’s finest.

Kris Allen walks the walk. We should all do the same. Less lip-service, and more living by example.

Now I move on… Again, peace Laurel G. (I’ve finished debating this. Thank you.)

*****It was my ‘fervent’  belief, Adam was on the cover because of the Gay reveal. That is where he said he chose to reveal it, in print. He thought it would be cool. There’s a lot of hot, proven artists out there that deserved the cover more. I am not berating Adam’s talent at all. ****

This is a big misconception. Adam had the cover long before he was to reveal his sexuality. The cover and his sexuality had nothing to do with each other, the story was just going to be fluff, but Adam wanted it to be more.

ETA: ****Now THAT would have been ‘heroic’  in my book.
yep, I am sure that would be considered heroic, to just stand up on the idol stage and say, oh, and by the way, I like dudes. Way to go Adam, context, please? Seriously’ ¦.
*** ****

There is a time and a place for everything, and I think Adam handled the situation very well. I liked that he did it on his own terms and to please himself not the scoop hungry media.

evanjane:

Whether it’s Adam’s fans repeating the mantra of Homophobic America

Especially, if people who are in Adam’s corner are labeling most of America, homophobes. I know it bugs the hell out of me.

Respectfully, I think you are misstating the position of many of Adam’s fans here. This whole thread started when Gene Simmons was quoted as telling Adam Lambert to “shut the f**k up” about his sexuality. Why? Because, according to Gene, the masses living in Wisconsin and Nebraska and the rest of the world are homophobic and Adam was, in effect, killing his career by discussing it.

The majority of Adam fans responded by saying, uh, wrong, Gene. The fact that Adam did as well on the show as he did demonstrates that a ton of folks could care less about his sexuality, that the times they are “a changin’” and that Adam has most certainly not killed his career. And, oh by the way, Gene, you’re a big old hypocrite if you think that the folks in Wisconsin and Nebraska want to hear about your sexual exploits and how you’ve (allegedly) screwed some 2,000 (unfortunate) women.

I think the person labeling America as homophobic is Gene Simmons, not Adam’s fans.

Which is not to say that homophobia doesn’t exist in this country. I personally think it does and that it hampered Adam’s initial attempts to break into the recording industry when he attempted to segue there from musical theater. I think Adam has stated quite clearly he wasn’t sure how he would be received by the AI viewing public, and the tears in his eyes during the recent MJ night repeat were a poignant reminder of how grateful he felt to receive the support of the judges and the studio audience in one of those early performances, especially since those kissing pictures had just hit the airwaves and were all over the news. I guess the only issue I have is with people who try to deny that homophobia exists at all or who argue that because we all have “differences,” it’s really a level playing field. It’s not and, imo, that’s a simplistic view of the world.