by The Rise of Adam Lambert: From American Idol to International Superstar
Adam Lambert first rose to fame in 2009 after finishing as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol. Over a decade later, he has cemented his status as one of the biggest pop/rock stars in the world. Lambert’s powerhouse vocals, flamboyant stage presence, and genre-blending music have attracted fans globally and made him a true icon. This article will trace Lambert’s journey from his American Idol beginnings to his current status as an international superstar.
Early Life and American Idol
Adam Mitchel Lambert was born on January 29, 1982 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in San Diego, California and developed a passion for music from a young age, taking voice lessons and participating in school musicals. After graduating high school, Lambert studied musical theater at the Los Angeles College of Music. He then began pursuing a career in music professionally.
In 2009, Lambert auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol. His audition, where he sang “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson, wowed the judges with his vocal prowess and charismatic stage presence. Lambert emerged as a fan favorite throughout the season for his unique artistry and flamboyant personality, which stood out from many of the more traditional contestants. He delivered standout performances of songs like “Mad World,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and “Ring of Fire” that showed off his impressive range.
Lambert made it all the way to the finale, where he faced off against country singer Kris Allen. In one of the closest Idol votes ever, Allen was declared the winner by a narrow margin. However, Lambert’s runner-up finish was still a breakthrough that launched him into the mainstream. His dynamic performances generated massive buzz and introduced him to a huge national audience. While he may not have won the title, Lambert had truly proven himself as a singular talent.
For Your Entertainment and Early Success
Buoyed by his newfound fame, Lambert signed with RCA Records shortly after American Idol. In November 2009, he released his debut studio album “For Your Entertainment.” The album was a critical and commercial success, debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 200,000 copies in its first week.
The album showed off Lambert’s genre-blending style, incorporating elements of pop, rock, dance, and glam metal. Standout tracks included the high-octane singles “For Your Entertainment,” “Whataya Want From Me,” and “If I Had You.” Lambert co-wrote many of the songs and helped shape his unique artistic vision. The album title track’s music video was controversial for featuring homoerotic imagery and quickly generated millions of views.
To support the album, Lambert embarked on his first headlining tour – The Glam Nation Tour. The tour was a critical and commercial smash, playing to sold out venues across North America and Europe. Lambert’s live performances truly shone, as he delivered electrifying vocals and choreography with a real rock star flair. By blending genres and pushing boundaries, Lambert was carving out his own niche as a singular pop/rock talent.
Trespassing and Continued Success
Riding high off the success of his debut, Lambert returned in 2012 with his sophomore album “Trespassing.” The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 177,000 copies in its first week. “Trespassing” further developed Lambert’s signature fusion of genres, incorporating more elements of dance-pop and arena rock.
Leading singles included the anthemic title track “Trespassing” as well as “Better Than I Know Myself,” “Never Close Our Eyes,” and “Underneath.” Lambert co-wrote many songs and helped produce the album, fully realizing his artistic vision. The album received positive reviews that praised Lambert’s evolution as a performer and songwriter.
To support “Trespassing,” Lambert embarked on his highly successful “We Are Glamily” tour. The tour played to sold out venues across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Lambert’s live shows continued to dazzle audiences and critics alike with his powerful vocals, intricate choreography, and lavish production value. By this point, Lambert had truly cemented himself as a mesmerizing live performer capable of headlining arenas worldwide.
The High Road and Continued Evolution
In 2015, Lambert returned with his third studio album – “The High Road.” Showing further artistic growth, the album incorporated more elements of funk, soul, and blues into Lambert’s signature pop/rock sound. Lead singles included the funky title track “The High Road” as well as “Another Lonely Night” and “Ghost Town.”
While not quite matching the commercial success of his prior albums, “The High Road” was another critical success that showed Lambert’s range and songwriting skills continuing to evolve. To support the album, Lambert embarked on his most ambitious tour yet – “The Original High Tour.” Spanning over 80 dates across 3 continents, the production value of the tour was truly on an arena rock level.
In the years since “The High Road,” Lambert has continued putting out new music at a steady clip. In 2016 he released the Christmas EP “Adam Lambert & Queen: Live Around the World,” recording covers of Queen songs with the legendary band. In 2017 he put out the dance-pop single “Two Fux” and in 2018 he released the rock ballad “Feel Something.” Lambert also toured extensively as the lead singer for Queen, fronting the iconic band on sold out tours across the globe in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Legacy and Continued Success
Over a decade since his American Idol debut, Adam Lambert has truly cemented himself as an international superstar. His genre-blending music, powerful vocals, and flamboyant stage presence have attracted fans from all walks of life. To date, Lambert has sold over 3 million albums worldwide and has amassed billions of streams online. He is one of the best-selling openly LGBTQ artists of all time.
Lambert continues to evolve artistically, putting out new music on his own terms. In 2019 he released the funk/pop EP “Velvet: Side A,” showcasing his eclectic style. Most recently in 2022, Lambert put out the rock ballad “Feel Something” with Blue October. Lambert also remains in high demand as a touring artist, selling out arenas as a headliner and continuing to perform globally with Queen.
Adam Lambert’s journey from American Idol contestant to international superstar is a true testament to his immense talent and charismatic stage presence. By fearlessly blending genres and pushing creative boundaries, he carved out his own niche in the music industry. Over a decade later, Lambert remains one of the most successful and influential Idol alums of all time. His legacy as a genre-bending rock star and LGBTQ icon is sure to inspire generations to come.
