Queer Spotlight: Adam Lambert

Being a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered radio station, it was a no-brainer that we would showcase queer talent on Sound Museum. So each week we'll put a queer performer under the spotlight and highlight their professional and personal achievements.

This week we covered a very recent rise-to-fame. Adam Lambert was the runner-up of this year's American Idol season. For many he was favorite to win throughout the competition, but lost out to Kris Allen. With his trademark queer-friendly look of dark eye-makeup and alternative, punk style fashion, Adam was certainly something different for the squeaky clean Idol image, but won audiences over with his soaring vocals and energetic stage presence. He also took on some very interesting songs: "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes, "Believe" by Cher, "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, "Black Or White" by Michael Jackson and "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin were just some of his choices.

His performances garnered critical acclaim each week from the judges. For his second Top 7 performance, Lambert sang "If I Can't Have You", delivering what Kara DioGuardi described as his "most memorable performance", while Simon Cowell described his vocals as "immaculate". Paula Abdul was reduced to tears. In the Top 4, Lambert performed "Whole Lotta Love". Cowell commented, "that was one of my favorite performances... nobody can top that now", while Abdul, punning on the song's title, described Lambert's performance as "a whole lotta perfect".

Questions about his sexuality came to the forefront when photos of him kissing other men, and in drag, began circulating the internet. Adam confirmed the photos where of him, saying he had nothing to hide, but never publicly confirmed his sexuality whilst on the show. Weeks after the finale, he came out publicly on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. He said, "I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear I'm gay... I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me."

Adam is certainly not the first openly gay man to come from the Idol series. Last year, American Idol Season 2 runner-up Clay Aitken finally came out after years of speculation. In 2006, Australian Idol Season 2 runner up Anthony Callea came out after heavy speculation. See a trend happening here?!? And of course, 2002 UK Pop Idol winner Will Young is openly gay, and has enjoyed continued musical success over the years. Australia also had a drag contestant named Courtney Act make the semi-finals in its first season.

Adam is currently working on his debut album with producers Greg Wells and RedOne, due later this year. We played his gorgeous version of "Mad World" by Tears For Fears on this week's show.