I actually like Adam’s Lambert’s singing. Especially most (not all … like when the rock group KISS joined him on stage for the AI finale) of his performances on American Idol. I don’t like the pseudo sexual acts, the dangerous spikey things on his costumes (Star Trek Borg anyone?) and the weird seductive vibe he tries to give off but when he gets into the honest core of his singing ability … I think he has an amazing gift.
He could be a fantastic singer. I bet my fbff (facebook friends forever) count just dropped a few.
Even so, it wasn’t his singing that ruined his performance at the American Music Awards, it was his performance that ruined his singing. It was obvious the main point he was trying to get across was not his singing ability.
Not everyone follows pop culture so to summarize for the three of you, Adam’s performance included simulated sex acts with men, sexual objectification of both men and women with a heavy bondage vibe as well as a same sex kiss. As a result he was booted from several news programs and appearances. There is an ongoing debate (link is to gay activist group GLAAD) over “double standards” of how the media is handling him as opposed to the infamous Madonna and Britney kiss (Links to MTV.)
You know … I’d still be a whole, content human being without watching any pop star acting sexually on stage.
There is a double standard when ABC shows the Britney/Madonna stunt and then blurs out the Adam Lambert same sex kiss. However, that “double standard” from a secular point of view is based on the abuse of sexualizing and objectifying women for so long that we (the culture at large) have been desensitized to it. The answer isn’t to abuse men through equal objective sexualization.
What if the secular basis of the double standard is that the standard is too low to begin with?
Think about this, what if the double standard is that the same restraint implemented with Adam should have been done with Britney and Madonna for the protection of both them as artists and the public. Perhaps the public wants to hear good singing, not shocked by indulgent ( and I think lazy media grabbing ) sexual stunts?
To summarize, Adam thinks the double standard is that he should be given the same latitude, I think the double standard is that Britney and Madonna should have received the same reaction as Adam. Not as punishment but as a way of saying, “No thank you. Could you work on singing really good songs please?”
I’m all for artistic freedom and you do what you gotta’ do. At the same time, I am all for not watching offensive artists and for shows canceling their appearances if that artist is determined to offend their audience.
But on a personal level, I find it all disappointing because true, honest, God-given talent is being squandered in the name of artistic expression and sexual identity politics. The beautiful Image of God that exists in these artists is buried behind their own need to be center stage and the public’s rewarding them for being sexually provocative.
I hope it doesn’t sound trite to say that I will pray for Adam and other music artists (and any artist for that matter) to truly find the beauty in simply singing (drawing, painting, writing etc.) with excellence. My bias of course is that we would do so in a way that glorifies God and edifies (builds up in a good way) mankind.
About Randy Thomas
I am very glad you posted this article and I fully agree with what you are trying to convey. I am a singer myself and battle daily to glorify God and not promote myself, even though you have to sometimes to make it to the stage, it’s how you go about it that shows your character. I was also disappointed and felt my heart sink a little when Adam came out on the stage and did his number complete with leashes, lashes, and antics that caused him to lose control of his voice, because his vocals were awful the entire time and I know how great his ability is…
Exactly Stephen. I remember his one performance of “Mad World” was stunning and all he did was sit in a chair with one spotlight behind him (not on him.)
I understand there is an issue of needing to promote yourself to get to the stage but I think your attitude is the right one. I also think that if an artist excels at their pure talent, the stage finds them as well. Plus, in my very late blooming artist self (drawing painting) I am finding I don’t need the stage to enjoy creating the art.
That could be a whole ‘nother blog post and much more complicated … as I am sure you already know.
Thank you for your comment Stephen.
I am very glad you posted this article and I fully agree with what you are trying to convey. I am a singer myself and battle daily to glorify God and not promote myself, even though you have to sometimes to make it to the stage, it’s how you go about it that shows your character. I was also disappointed and felt my heart sink a little when Adam came out on the stage and did his number complete with leashes, lashes, and antics that caused him to lose control of his voice, because his vocals were awful the entire time and I know how great his ability is…
Exactly Stephen. I remember his one performance of “Mad World” was stunning and all he did was sit in a chair with one spotlight behind him (not on him.)
I understand there is an issue of needing to promote yourself to get to the stage but I think your attitude is the right one. I also think that if an artist excels at their pure talent, the stage finds them as well. Plus, in my very late blooming artist self (drawing painting) I am finding I don’t need the stage to enjoy creating the art.
That could be a whole ‘nother blog post and much more complicated … as I am sure you already know.
Thank you for your comment Stephen.
Well, Randy, I am one of those 3 that do not watch regular TV at all. I do not know who the other two are, unless you include my husband and five children.
On that same note. Here we were, as a family, watching the new Star Trek, The Movie release (it just came out on video). Do I bother to think that I should look up the content to see any possible things we might not want to watch? No. This is Star Trek. I’ve grown up with the original, my children (older ones) grew up with the Next Generation and Captain Piccard.
Low and behold, right in the middle half of the movie, a highly explicit sex scene that lasted way to long. While I have taught my children to bounce their eyes away at such occasions, they still catch a glimpse.
This is why my husband and I no longer have TV. When I do have a chance to see some, I just cannot believe how far things have advanced in just the few years that we have no longer been watching. Even the cartoons I would not let my children watch. You wonder why we have so much crime, sexualization, etc in our society and particularly our schools. I don’t.
I am not impressed with Mr. Lambert, not one bit. If he had any brains at all he would look at the “stars” from my generations and see what his life will be like in a few years. Not a pretty picture. Who would want it.
I haven’t seen the new Star Trek but thank you for the warning. I am real good at fast forwarding.
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I understand the desire to want to protect your children. A lot of parents, and I think increasingly more, are getting rid of the hellivision. I am not recommending that but I am not judging it as a negative either. I can see a LOT of positive in that decision. I never had cable for more than a couple of weeks until I was 37
It’s good to see you Jennifer. I pray you had a great Thanksgiving.
Hey Randy, always good to connect with you. Yes we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. Many of the children are now young adults in college so it is very fun. Love the youth, so full of energy, excitement, hope, etc. Feeds the soul.
Well, Randy, I am one of those 3 that do not watch regular TV at all. I do not know who the other two are, unless you include my husband and five children.
On that same note. Here we were, as a family, watching the new Star Trek, The Movie release (it just came out on video). Do I bother to think that I should look up the content to see any possible things we might not want to watch? No. This is Star Trek. I’ve grown up with the original, my children (older ones) grew up with the Next Generation and Captain Piccard.
Low and behold, right in the middle half of the movie, a highly explicit sex scene that lasted way to long. While I have taught my children to bounce their eyes away at such occasions, they still catch a glimpse.
This is why my husband and I no longer have TV. When I do have a chance to see some, I just cannot believe how far things have advanced in just the few years that we have no longer been watching. Even the cartoons I would not let my children watch. You wonder why we have so much crime, sexualization, etc in our society and particularly our schools. I don’t.
I am not impressed with Mr. Lambert, not one bit. If he had any brains at all he would look at the “stars” from my generations and see what his life will be like in a few years. Not a pretty picture. Who would want it.
I haven’t seen the new Star Trek but thank you for the warning. I am real good at fast forwarding.
I understand the desire to want to protect your children. A lot of parents, and I think increasingly more, are getting rid of the hellivision. I am not recommending that but I am not judging it as a negative either. I can see a LOT of positive in that decision. I never had cable for more than a couple of weeks until I was 37
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It’s good to see you Jennifer. I pray you had a great Thanksgiving.
Hey Randy, always good to connect with you. Yes we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. Many of the children are now young adults in college so it is very fun. Love the youth, so full of energy, excitement, hope, etc. Feeds the soul.
I totally agree with you. Thank you for clearly and graciously stating the truth.
And to Jennifer above… I am one of the other 3 you are talking about and I also have a husband and five children. We are suprisingly similar. We haven’t had TV for 5 years. TV has gone straight to the dogs. My husband really misses watching football though.
thanks Amy!
In the future you can click reply underneath the comment you are responding too and it will place your response right under that comment (comment threading.) It helps with the flow of conversation. Thank you for your comment
Hey Amy. Nice to meet you. My husband also misses the sports but he does get a lot on the internet through ESPN. When he wants to watch a particular game he has friends who he can visit and the last ditch effort is a sports bar.
So Amy are you on facebook? We could connect that way.
I totally agree with you. Thank you for clearly and graciously stating the truth.
And to Jennifer above… I am one of the other 3 you are talking about and I also have a husband and five children. We are suprisingly similar. We haven’t had TV for 5 years. TV has gone straight to the dogs. My husband really misses watching football though.
thanks Amy!
In the future you can click reply underneath the comment you are responding too and it will place your response right under that comment (comment threading.) It helps with the flow of conversation. Thank you for your comment
Hey Amy. Nice to meet you. My husband also misses the sports but he does get a lot on the internet through ESPN. When he wants to watch a particular game he has friends who he can visit and the last ditch effort is a sports bar.
So Amy are you on facebook? We could connect that way.
Randy,
You shouldn’t be losing followers over Adam Lambert. They’ll be back. Regarding Adam’s act, it could not be described as class or mainstream. The problem is, he is trying to redefine mainstream and he hasn’t earned the level of respect required to be a grounbreaker . . . nor will he by simulating sex acts and kissing men on television. I think he just got a little ahead of himself and hopefully he will realize it is talent that people enjoy, not gratuitous activity designed to showcase the individual’s sexual preferences.
I’m with you. I’m praying for Adam. It can’t be easy to declare your sexuality in the fishbowl of American entertainment and then try to reign it in. He needs a lot of guidance. Let’s pray it comes from better sources.
Randy,
You shouldn’t be losing followers over Adam Lambert. They’ll be back. Regarding Adam’s act, it could not be described as class or mainstream. The problem is, he is trying to redefine mainstream and he hasn’t earned the level of respect required to be a grounbreaker . . . nor will he by simulating sex acts and kissing men on television. I think he just got a little ahead of himself and hopefully he will realize it is talent that people enjoy, not gratuitous activity designed to showcase the individual’s sexual preferences.
I’m with you. I’m praying for Adam. It can’t be easy to declare your sexuality in the fishbowl of American entertainment and then try to reign it in. He needs a lot of guidance. Let’s pray it comes from better sources.
Adam Lambert says, “I’m gay. Deal with it.” That is his statement. His decision to make that statement in his performance is his “deal with it” push. He caught my eye because he is a wonderful vocalist and he has matured in his performances throughout AI. He has not, however, mastered the maturity thing. His fame is still new and he wants me to listen and to follow because he is gay and not because he can sing the pieces out of a song?
I think it is just bad behavior.
I sure appreciate your post. In short, I agree with you in each point.
Adam Lambert says, “I’m gay. Deal with it.” That is his statement. His decision to make that statement in his performance is his “deal with it” push. He caught my eye because he is a wonderful vocalist and he has matured in his performances throughout AI. He has not, however, mastered the maturity thing. His fame is still new and he wants me to listen and to follow because he is gay and not because he can sing the pieces out of a song?
I think it is just bad behavior.
I sure appreciate your post. In short, I agree with you in each point.
I’m not sure if Lambert’s goal is to say, “I’m gay. Deal with it.” Surely simulating sex acts on stage isn’t what it means to be gay. If I recall correctly, artists like Elton John and Melissa Etheridge have achieved icon status while being openly gay. So have television personalities like Ellen DeGeneres. While none of those individuals hide their sexuality, they also haven’t tried to push the envelope sexually via lewd performances.
I think what Lambert is doing here isn’t saying, “I’m gay. Deal with it.” I think he’s saying, “If Britney and Madonna can get away with this why can’t I?” But like Randy said, the Christian response to this isn’t what he’s looking for. The fact of the matter is Britney and Madonna shouldn’t be able to get away with it either.
I’m not sure if Lambert’s goal is to say, “I’m gay. Deal with it.” Surely simulating sex acts on stage isn’t what it means to be gay. If I recall correctly, artists like Elton John and Melissa Etheridge have achieved icon status while being openly gay. So have television personalities like Ellen DeGeneres. While none of those individuals hide their sexuality, they also haven’t tried to push the envelope sexually via lewd performances.
I think what Lambert is doing here isn’t saying, “I’m gay. Deal with it.” I think he’s saying, “If Britney and Madonna can get away with this why can’t I?” But like Randy said, the Christian response to this isn’t what he’s looking for. The fact of the matter is Britney and Madonna shouldn’t be able to get away with it either.