In the 80s and 90s, many people questioned why Madonna "had" to do the things she did. But it got the public talking. It put the focus on her. And now she is a legend. Aren't legends made of shock and controversy? A lot of people didn't get it back then, but everyone touts her now for her bravery, and her innovation.
Enter Adam Lambert.
Last night on the 2009 American Music Awards, he stunned the world with his show closing debut performance of "For Your Entertainment," the title track from his album, in stores today.
It always amuses me when ABC contracts what should be obviously controversial performers on their TV specials, then get upset when something controversial does in fact happen. The lyrics to this song, as I went over in the single review, are clear cut in their intentions, and are completely unapologetic. Adam himself has always presented himself as such as well, so it's possible ABC knew this, and were happy to use Adam for the publicity, as a well known gay magazine also recently did.
Adam's performance had him reenacting lines from his song, and challenging the audience with that age old question "Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?" He followed up his query by making out with his bassist/keyboardist, Tommy Ratliff for several seconds.
People say this was too much for network TV, but was it? This is the same station who aired NYPD Blue, at around the same time that Adam Lambert's performance was aired, with near explicit sex scenes and sometimes even semi nude bodies mid intercourse. I'd say Adam's showstopper was much tamer than that.
The problem here, as Adam has said himself, is that people have an issue with male sexuality. It scares them for various reasons. Many people already see males as dominant figures, and to have something so raw and direct in your face from someone already in a position of power can be unsettling. Then there is the opposite issue of male sexuality also diminishing that power, especially when it's a gay male. If men are dominant figures, and we are presented with two men in a sexual situation, one of those men is relinquishing his power. That can also be equally unsettling for people who have been ingrained to follow society's set gender roles.
The question has been raised that, if Adam is such a talented powerhouse, why was it necessary for him to create such a shocking spectacle? Couldn't he have relied on his talent to sail through the performance? The answer here is a clear no. Some people use shock because they don't have the talent to back it up. Adam's shock had substance, it made a statement. And guess what, he can rely on his talent. Which is precisely why he's not afraid to shock people and just simply have fun. Adam Lambert is Adam Lambert. Nothing more, nothing less, and he makes no apologies for it.
Adam's ending pose spoke volumes. He's here for your entertainment. He's got you talking, doesn't he? :)
Spot on. Nicely writen and very true.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for a great write-up! Nice to know there ARE people who "get it."
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for not writing some crappy trite "girly" tribute to adam. wit is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNo one has stopped talking about him since the day he appeared on the scene. What's he gonna do next? Can't wait to see. :)
ReplyDeletehe's still hot even though he kissed his bassist/keyboardist
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