Adam Lambert on his racy American Music Awards performance: 'There's a huge double standard'

Ryan Seacrest was there to introduce Adam Lambert on Sunday night, but his American Music Awards performance of "For Your Entertainment" was a long way removed from the family-friendly confines of "American Idol." There was groping, dragging and bondage outfits, bringing the ABC program to an end with theatrical images of sexual slavery.

"It's about to get rough," Lambert sings in the song's opening moments, and for many of Pop & Hiss'  readers, it went too far. Within minutes of the American Music Awards coming to an end, irate viewers had begun writing in. Reader Kathie Kunish declared that the telecast should have been rated "PG-14," and user "penny" noted that she had to cover the eyes of her 10-year-old daughter.

Reader Richard Bowen agreed, posting on Pop & Hiss, "I know he wants to break out and show the world his dangerous side, but why alienate an entire population of kids to do it?"

Lambert wasn't the only former "American Idol" contestant to get risqué. Earlier in the night, Carrie Underwood strutted in a pants-less outfit, but the country star was still a long way removed from Lambert's sexually suggestive performance. With a crotch rub and a make-out session with a band member, Lambert sent tongues wagging and the Twittisphere erupting in controversy, bolting to the top of the site's trending topics.

"The energy felt good. Adrenaline is a crazy thing to feel," Lambert said to Pop & Hiss after the show. "That's what I love about performing. I'm hoping people were entertained. For those who weren't, maybe I'm not their cup of tea."

When asked if he thought the most extreme moments would be edited out of the West Coast broadcast, Lambert wasn't shy about how he would react to such a move.

"If it’s gonna be edited, then in a way that's discrimination. I don't mean to get political, but Madonna, Britney and Christina weren't edited," Lambert said. "It’s a shame. Female entertainers have been risqué for years. Honestly, there's a huge double standard."

Lambert said his goal wasn't to upset anyone with his performance: "I'm just trying to have a good time onstage. It’s a sexy song. It’s 2009, it’s time to take more risks. It’s about entertainment. People want to be surprised. It’s too bad that people are so scared."

A clip of the performance, which as of Sunday night is available on YouTube, is embedded below. Vote on the performance on Ministry of Gossip.

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy

Additional reporting by Todd Martens

Photo: Associated Press

RELATED:

Album review: Adam Lambert's 'For Your Entertainment'

Adam Lambert: Cool, calm and eclectic

Kris Allen beats Adam Lambert. A shock? Nah.

'American Idol': Adam Lambert vs. Kris Allen

Ann Powers: More on Adam, disco and stereotyping

Going Gaga: RedOne riding a hot streak, working with Usher, Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert: The ultimate interview

The 2009 American Music Awards red carpet

2009 American Music Awards: Scorecard

American Music Awards: Three reasons to watch, three reasons to avoid

Grammys 2010: An early look at album of the year contenders (Part 1)

Grammys 2010: An early look at album of the year (Part 2)

Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson dominate American Music Awards nominations 

Rihanna, Green Day added to American Music Awards lineup

Guess who's getting Grammy nominations?

Adam Lambert kicks off rehearsals for American Music Awards

Comments

[ooi]

Adam Lambert's performance was wild, raunchy and sexy! And yes, I agree with him - what he had done were nothing new! Britney and Madonna had all done pretty much the same moves on TV!

Great performance Adam!!

[Adam Addict]

I am a devout Adam fan but was disappointed tonight. I saw Adam perform live from sixth row on tour this summer and he was AMAZING. No dancers, no elaborate sets, no fancy choreography, and Adam was terrific. This is what we want Adam! Just you, singing, and being yourself. You should fire your AMA choreographer, because she made it too complicated, took away from your singing which is what makes you great. Focus on your voice next time and not the extraneous stuff that we really don't care about. The racy stuff didn't bother me but it was a distraction from YOU, the lack of focus on your true talent (your vocals) was lost in the process. Don't lose sight of what your fans really love about you. We thought you were here to entertain us? Please sing!

[Maggie Q]

I loved Adam Lambert's performance. How can anyone say Adam's performance was anymore risque than Rhianna's naked body strapped down, or Janet Jackson grabbing herself or a male dancer's privates? Do people not remember Lady Gaga's outfit and the way she was playing the piano with her legs suggestively spread way open? Adam gives you a face of a new generation and he doesn't have to be censored. Madonna was kissing same sex (females) before Adam did so on this show. Adam is a current artist, this is the music and peformer of the future. He is hot, he is sexy, his performance was one of the best of the night. I can't wait to see what is next for him. I was wowed by him tonight!

[Disgusting!]

This is absolutely disgusting! The east coast version showed him shoving a guys face into his crotch!

[herman melville]

by double standard are you reffering to his propensity to pack meat?

[Seriously]

Please stop using your kids as an excuse for your closed-mindedness. This is (and has always been) a live broadcast, with a history of artists attempting to "push the envelope," so why would you think this is safe territory for your kids?

Not to mention: what about at *least* an hour before Adam's performance, when Eminem introduced himself with the following:

“Ladies and Gentlemen: The moment you have all been waiting for. In this corner, weighing 175 pounds, with a record of 17 rapes, 400 assaults and four murders. The most diabolical human in the world … Slim Shady.”

THAT was okay for your kids to hear? How did you explain what he meant by that? And why on earth would you continue to let them watch after having to explain why people would be cheering for and celebrating someone who claims to have raped, assaulted and murdered?

'Nuff said.

[Zer0]

Why are there 10-year-olds up this late? If you people are such fantastic parents that you find the need to complain about this performance, your kids should have been in bed two hours before this performance even started. It's a school night during flu season, for heaven's sake - your kids need their rest.

That said, I'm the mother of a four-year-old and I would have much rather shown her this performance than Lady Gaga's performance on MTV. Hers was violent, disturbing, and scary even to me - this is a much easier performance to explain, and it involves hurting no one. If your child sees this and asks questions, answer them!

[Jill]

Wow. I just saw it. I WAS a huge Adam Lambert fan- until now. This performance was totally disgusting and completely inappropriate. He's right. He's just like Brittney and Madonna. I couldn't have said it better myself. No thanks. I expected something worthwhile and I'm so disappointed.

[JLM]

I did not find Adam's performance anymore risque than Rhiana or Ferge and totally agree that if he is being faulted, it is definately a double standard. Women strutted all over the stage all night with sexy dancers - why can't a male. I was on the other hand ticked off that they waited till the last second to let Adam perform and it seemed rushed. I was really looking forward to his performance and it was silly to put it after the big winner when people are done, right on the tale end of the show. ABC did Adam a dis-service. Adam's performance looked hot but seemed too dang rushed. I really wanted to get to enjoy it, but it was over so fast.

[nick]

I cannot believe this performance was allowed. Not that I don't believe we all have the right to express our feelings, our sexual desires, but come on. This guy is way of out of control. But the group that allowed this happen is far more at wrong then him.

[Sal]

Adam is one brave mofo. I applaud him for putting it all on the line. He'll lose fans but he'll gain fans too so hopefully it will balance out.

I thought the performance was entertaining. It was unexpected in a good way. and the kiss between him and the guy? HOT.

[iowagyrl]

I've read several reports about tonights performance. I find it interesting that people are offended by (and bloggers are writing about) Adam's gyrations and kissing and fondling for OUR entertainment, but no one has blinked an eye at emimem's lyrics listing that stats of the number of rapes and murders that "slim shady" has committed. Please explain to me how THAT is entertaining?

Look up GLAM ROCK- Adam's performance was a text book definition of everything GLAM is supposed to be. GOOD FOR YOU ADAM.

[Ann]

ABC should not have allowed such performance. If they are going to blur out all the profanity from songs, then they should blur out inappropiate sexual behavior (like the human dog slaves and rape). Besides his singing was not good, the screaming every 30 seconds did not go. The song was a waste.

[Paulie]

Didn't see the show, but do agree with those who say anyone whose children are up this late watching this really have no right to play the "what about my poor children?' card.
Also....Am I the only one who noticed that Mr. Lambert appears to be in his third trimester of pregnancy in the angle of that picture above? Ha!

[Katie S]

Did Adam Lambert actually have to attract more S&M bondage types? No. He probably already had all of them in his fanbase. In one fell swoop with his performance on AMA he alienated most of his American Idol fans and undid what 20 years of sit com characters and legitimate movie roles did for mainstreaming gay America. Everyone I know has unfollowed him on Twitter and first thing this morning I changed my "ring of Fire" ringtone on my phone. Too far Adam. Too far.

[ER]

Now all doubt is removed... the best singer AND performer actually DID win American Idol afterall. We already have enough filth in America.... Any parent, let alone any sane person, thinking this guy is worth "idolizing" should NEVER have children... or be allowed around them.

[Carly]

Parents are saying they are aghast because their young children were watching? What? Why were those young children up so late on a school night? The show put him on last for a reason. They announced over and over again that it was going to be outrageous. Everyone knew Adam's outrageousness...so why were your young children up so late? But not a peep out of you with Eminem's song about rape or Shakira and Rhianna with their machine guns as props while body humping the air with a bunch of scantily clad women? Shakra simulating sex with her pelvis in the air. JLo getting felt up by the male dancers. GaGa breaking whiskey bottles? Kiss a guy and you go to hell I guess.

[Ally]

The show didn't bother me as much as the fact as he didn't sound that good, which just floored me- his voice is usally stunning.

[Micahr2001]

It's sad to see people say they are "proud" of Lambert. It makes no difference that he's gay....to simulate oral sex is disgusting. He represents everything that's wrong with music. Can't people just sing and have fun? Why does it always have to be so overtly sexual? Not what I want to see.

[draya]

It was entertaining but the song didn't sound near as good as it does on the cd. I would like to see and hear more of Adam and less of the theatrics. His vocals didn't sound that great because he was sooooo busy with the act. Alot of the entertainment last night sucked. Lady GaGa is wasting her beautiful voice on bullcrap performances. Maybe next time Adam will just sing.

[Andrea]

Freddy Mercury R.I.P.), Madonna and Brittney have all done performances this provactive. I am sure if Mr. Mercury was alive today, we would have been exposed to a performance more provocative than this one. Overall, like the song, it was for our entertainment and everyone is talkign about it, which I am sure was the intention. Overall it was hot because it was a performance and I was entertained!

[Ryang]

Was I shocked by Adam's performance? Yes. I thought he could sing. You'd never know it after that train wreck. Very sad. A missed opportunity.

[Jayson McEwen]

No, Adam...we're not scared. It's just that...your performance was complete and utter f*cking rubbish.

It has NOTHING to do with your sexual orientation.

Good try though.

[jaderose]

I put my 9 and 11 year olds to bed at 9pm. Thank God (and I'm not Holy). When Lady Gaga performed with her bottle smashing craziness and her cooter practicly falling out of her wide open legs, I looked at my husband and said I was glad I didnt let them stay up. I did let them stay up the previous week when the CMA's were on. I knew I didn't have to worry about Tim McGraw grabbing some dancers head and shoving it into his crotch. I guess thats the difference between Country Music Artists and performers that NEED shock value to push along their careers. I hated what Eminem said, but that's Eminem... American Idol didnt lauch his career. Very happy Taylor Swift won the big award at the end of the night... and she did so without having to overdose herself on drugs.

[chrissy anec]

For those of you who may have missed the AMA’s last night you will probably be hearing about what Adam Lambert did, how Lady Gaga looked and the Janet & Rihanna performances. So I found this great album of pictures for you to see! They are definitely shocking and I wanted to pass on, enjoy!!

http://tinyurl.com/amarecap2009