During an appearance on ‘Watch What Happens Live’, Lambert shared his admiration for Lil Nas X, describing him as a courageous and daring rock star whose work he greatly appreciates.
Would Lil Nas X have achieved stardom if Adam Lambert had not paved the way for LGBTQ+ artists?
On a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Adam Lambert, the former American Idol contestant, responded to Lil Nas X’s earlier statements about Lambert’s influence in opening doors for LGBTQ+ pop stars. Lambert expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating that he was flattered by Lil Nas X’s awareness of his existence. He further praised Lil Nas X as a fearless and exceptional rock star, appreciating the groundbreaking work he is undertaking.
During the eighth season of American Idol in 2009, Lambert faced adversity after being publicly open about his sexuality. Despite encountering homophobic remarks from viewers across the nation, Lambert persevered and refused to conceal his true identity.
Lambert’s rendition of his debut single, “For Your Entertainment,” during the 2009 American Music Awards caused a stir due to his on-stage kiss with a male band member. This performance triggered controversy, leading to complaints from the Parents Television Council and the subsequent cancellation of his scheduled appearance on Good Morning America by ABC.
Fast forward more than a decade, Lil Nas X made headlines when he kissed a backup dancer during his performance at the 2021 BET Awards, yet he continued to thrive in his career. Lambert, speaking on Watch What Happens Live, expressed his admiration for Lil Nas X’s ability to command the stage, receive industry support, and deliver provocative and innovative performances without facing cancellation or being pulled from a network. This signaled a new chapter in the industry.
In a Billboard interview in 2021, the vocalist of Queen + Adam Lambert praised the 24-year-old “Old Town Road” artist’s BET Awards performance. He emphasized that Lil Nas X epitomizes the gay pop star of the current era, being bold, controversial, and boundary-pushing, which are qualities we expect from our pop stars. Lambert acknowledged that it took time for a gay pop star to emerge, but he celebrated the progress represented by Lil Nas X’s presence in the industry.
During the conversation, Lambert also expressed his admiration for Lil Nas X’s unwavering authenticity and strong sense of self. He commended the younger artist, stating that he refuses to apologize to anyone for who he is or what he represents.
In an interview with Heavy earlier this year, Lil Nas X shared his feelings about receiving support from Lambert, a fellow queer pop star. He mentioned having met Lambert on a few occasions and expressed gratitude for the love and support he has received from him. Lil Nas X made it a point to personally thank Lambert and acknowledged the significance of the doors opened by Lambert and other trailblazers in the industry. As a Grammy winner, he appreciates the opportunities created by these artists and acknowledges their impact.
