What did Adam Lambert say about his family's influence?

Adam Lambert said his "very opinionated" family, including his brother, dad, and mom, challenged him to think deeply and outside the box, which he credits for shaping his identity as an outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate.

How did Adam Lambert's experience on American Idol impact his LGBTQ+ advocacy?

After finishing as the runner-up on American Idol in 2008, Lambert faced a "double standard" when photos of him kissing a man circulated online, which he said made him feel "ashamed" at the time. However, he says the experience ultimately "made me stronger and informed the kind of art that I wanted to make."

What does Adam Lambert hope to achieve through his LGBTQ+ advocacy?

Lambert says he realized early on that LGBTQ+ identities were not heavily represented in mainstream media, so he felt compelled to be "a part of that first big wave" of increasing understanding and visibility. He continues to speak out against "misinformation and fear" surrounding LGBTQ+ issues, encouraging people to take the time to get to know those from different backgrounds.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Adam Lambert Reflects on Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Journey

Adam Lambert Reflects on Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Journey

4 Oct, 2025

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Summary

Came out publicly in 2009, but was out to family for 8 years prior
Faced double standards in entertainment industry after American Idol
Advocates for increased LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media

In a recent interview, 43-year-old singer Adam Lambert reflects on his journey to becoming an outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate. Lambert, who rose to fame on American Idol in 2008, officially came out publicly in 2009 via a Rolling Stone article, though he had been out to his friends and family for eight years prior.

Lambert credits his opinionated family for challenging him to think deeply about his identity and the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media. He recalls feeling "ashamed" when photos of him kissing a man circulated online after the American Idol finale, but says the experience ultimately made him "stronger" and informed the type of art he wanted to create.

Since then, Lambert has used his platform to advocate for greater LGBTQ+ visibility. He made headlines in 2009 for kissing his male keyboard player during a performance at the American Music Awards, which he says faced a "double standard" compared to other high-profile same-sex kisses. Lambert continues to speak out against the "misinformation and fear" surrounding LGBTQ+ identities, encouraging people to take the time to understand and get to know those from different backgrounds.