Exclusive: Idol Finalist Calls Adam Lambert "a Sham"

Celebrity News November 24, 2009 AT 4:39PM
Idol Finalist Calls Adam Lambert "a Sham" Credit: Kevin Winter/AMA2009/Getty Images

American Idol alums are split when it comes to Adam Lambert's racy performance at the American Music Awards on Sunday.

"I honestly had no problem with Adam's AMA performance," season 5 contestant Kevin Covais tells Usmagazine.com. "After watching him take risks on Idol, it was about what I expected. Despite being a bit risque, I don't feel like it pushed the envelope that much further from what we normally see these days, especially on primetime television. I see no reason why he should be punished by ABC."

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As a gay man, season 1's Jim Verraros tells Us the performance meant a lot to him.

"We need this, and we need him," Verraros tells Us. "We need to have him out there - he's a gay pop singer from America. But I am torn -- I just don't know if I would have done that kind of performance for my first nationally televised show. I think had he done it at a more intimate club environment, it would have gone over a lot better."

 

But season 3's Diana DeGarmo says Lambert shouldn't be shocked at the harsh reaction. (About 1,500 people called in complaints; ABC's Good Morning America also canceled Lambert's Nov. 25 appearance because of his "controversial American Music Awards performance.")

Watch a VIDEO of Adam Lambert before his controversial AMAs performance

Says DeGarmo, "When you take a big risk like that, you can't be surprised when there are repercussions for your actions." If anything, it should help out his career. "Plus, with all of the buzz around the performance, his sales shouldn't suffer whatsoever," she tells Us.

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Covais agrees.

"I think the performance does more to help his cause than hurt it," he tells Us. "He definitely has everyone's attention."

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But season 3's Jon Peter Lewis says Lambert shouldn't be calling his performance art. "All this nonsense about Adam Lambert's whole project being art is bogus," he told Us. "That idea is absurd. It's like calling Thomas Kinkade art. What a sham."

Tell Us What You Think

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  • January 18, 2010 - 12:50am e

    ADAM LAMBERT, i'll love you forever

  • December 07, 2009 - 12:22pm number8gurl

    I always liked JPL I thought his dancing was cute but after this statement I unfollowed him on Twitter. My loyalty to Adam prevails....always!

  • December 05, 2009 - 8:17am wiccagirl

    So who is this jon guy? I don't even recall him... :(

  • December 04, 2009 - 10:48pm Susan Edmunds

    Who is Jon Peter Lewis?

  • December 03, 2009 - 1:09pm Laurie

    The TITLE of this article is ridiculous, since it misinterprets and sends the wrong message. He didn't say it was a sham, he supports Adam !

  • November 29, 2009 - 7:41pm celtcwrtr

    @ almost 11 pm on television = adult time, not kid time. the fact that as a society we do not have objection to mind-numbing violence shown on a regular basis in this same network time period, yet feel outraged and threatened by sexuality - except, perhaps, those images that are rooted in misogyny - speaks volumes. and who is Jon Peter Lewis? because he comes off as a jealous/disgruntled loser...

  • November 28, 2009 - 9:40am Dylan

    JPL has a right to his opinion but FGS PLEASE he was not being courageous. He only said it to get attention for his lame web site. His singing sucks donkey balls and he is not funny.

  • November 27, 2009 - 11:47pm Shar

    Oh to you Adam is a big fat liar: U may want to take an Anger Management Class. U are so angry and mean. Everything you said is a lie. Get your facts straight b4 posting such vile things. U also sound like you are a frustrated straight male it's okay to come out of the closet. Have a nice day.

  • November 27, 2009 - 11:41pm Shar

    Just what I thought all the haters on here are Kris fans. Will name u;annie,Nikki,Musicman,bayougirl. I noticed that all of you posted at least 3 times. U are so transparent. You people never give up. Just change your name or don't have the courage to post your right name. By the way Adam's new debut is #1 in sales and radio play. He even beat out Lady GaGa. So, Kris fans take a hike u phonies. All your efforts were wasted.

  • November 27, 2009 - 11:31pm Shar

    John Peter Lewis who the heck is he? S3 Never heard of him. He has no right as an ex-idol to be judging anyone. He may have just hurt his own image. Take a hike John whoever you are. Adam has millions of fans. Go to Rolling Stone and look at those 15 videos of prior "scandelous" videos then go apoligize to Adam and all his fans.

  • November 27, 2009 - 1:04pm anna

    I love ADAM. No matter what he does, he keeps me glued to the screen. ABC throughout the whole night was telling us to stay tuned to the big finale. It will have us talking about it the next day. we have to see it to believe it. ABC knew exactly what was going on. After an announcement like that what else could we expect. anyway Thankyou ABC for giving us another performance by the GREAT ADAM LAMBERT. you made a big mistake cancelling his show. He rocked on CBS"

  • November 27, 2009 - 12:58pm anna

    who is jon peter lewis?

  • November 27, 2009 - 8:26am Adam is FAT LIAR

    Adam is FAT LIAR. He lies all the time. 1st he was telling gay activists and OUT magazine he didn't want to make waves as a gay icon...then after his disgusting vulgar acts on the AMAs he is whining that he did it for a political gay statment...he is a BIG FAT LAIR. Now he is saying that it was adlibbed, but that is a LIE too. All those acts were planned. He is a fat lair.

  • November 26, 2009 - 11:37pm Jayme

    Adam is so Over rated.all he does is screech. JPL is dumb, where are you Jon? no where.

  • November 26, 2009 - 12:43pm Musicman

    When Adam was on American Idol he was very promising, in fact, his version of Led Zepplin's 1969 Mega-hit "Whole lotta love" with Guitarist "Slash" was really good. Now, I have gone over his performance many times and I'll be honest, Adam Lambert's voice is too pitchy. If Adam wants to have a lasting career in the business of Performing, he will need formal ear training & vocal lessons. Shock value in the Music industry has already been applied many years before Adam was born. How about Black Sabbath from 1969 to 1979, Ozzy Osborne after Black Sabbath from 1980 to the present, and there have been many others. The difference that Adam brings to the spectrum of shock value is: it involves perversion, sexuality and personal information that we really don't need to know.

  • November 26, 2009 - 9:41am Merly

    Who the hell is Jon?

  • November 26, 2009 - 4:58am Angela

    Janet Jackson grabbed her dancer's crotch during her AMA performance, nobody says a thing about it. Aguilera sang practically naked on her "Dirty"....Britney, Madonna, I won't even bother to go there. It's entertainment, people! take it or leave it. Adam surely knows he cannot please everybody and he doesn't intend to. Move on already. go abck to your fav singer's vids.

  • November 26, 2009 - 2:05am Jojo

    You know,I'm old enough to remember when Elvis wasn't allowed to move his hips on TV,and the camera have to shoot from the waist up,or how controversial was Kiss,and how outrageous was Elton Jhon,and the Beattles hair,and so on....and so on...and after hearing all those blips on rap songs and grabing croches,why make such a case about Adam? all I can say is,that we'll always remember the earlier,no matter how controversial Adam is,we can't deny the fact that he's talented,has a beautiful voice,and those eyes...so Kris (who?) fans,eat your hearts out,because Adam is here to stay,and his 15 minutes are long gone and the clock still ticking....is easy,if I don't like a singer,I'll change channels,or get in someones elses posting for that matter.He's all we hear in the news since sunday night,anybody else? yes,he's a smart cookie,yum....

  • November 26, 2009 - 1:18am bayou girl

    That performance was disgusting and everyone with any morals at all, should agree and let the AMA's know about it.

  • November 26, 2009 - 1:16am Upset

    I just saw this performance and I am outraged! I am so disappointed in his performance. I am not a fan anyhow, but a lot of young kids are and some that are so easily influenced.How can he sexually put himself out there like that in front of young kids like that.There are consequences to our actions. It is disturbing that he thinks it was just a show.I wish people would protest this type of behavior than make excuses or say it is what sells. Children are so impresionable, we have a responsibilty to be healthy and happy examples.It is selfish that people use this excuse to what sells and not take responsibility and respect for their actions.

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