Perhaps the saying any publicity is good publicity is true. After last week’s controversial performance at the American Music Awards, you might have expected an Adam Lambert backlash resulting in sluggish record sales. You would have been wrong. Despite his “shocking” performance, which included simulated oral sex and a man-on-man kiss, Lambert is expected to have record sales that move between 250,000 and 300,000 units.
Not to say that I didn’t cringe or gasp at all during the performance, but I wasn’t as “offended” as much of the country, including Good Morning America, who pulled Glambert’s scheduled performance. I seem to remember some similar onstage antics by a pop superstar during an MTV Music Awards performance that I happened to be uncomfortably watching with my parents when I was twelve. That performance also had simulated oral sex and open mouth kissing, it just happened to involve members of the opposite sex, and it happened to involve an artist you may have heard of: Madonna. We then knew in our house that viewing Madonna’s performance was no longer going to be a family affair. Luckily I was grown when I witnessed Madonna sharing a kiss with Britney during another award show performance. While I recall there was talk, there certainly wasn’t outrage. Apparently two attractive females kissing is far less offensive than two men kissing.
Granted, Glambert’s performance was on network TV and not a cable station, but like Ms. Material Girl, maybe now we have an idea of what to expect when he hits the stage. Maybe consumers won’t be lining up to see his shows, but the projection of high record sales gives me a restored sense of faith that maybe we have made progress in moving past homophobia in our country. The next time Glambert performs on live TV, though, I’ll make sure my parents are in bed already.
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Comments
Maria
December 1st, 2009 - 12:12:52 PM
I will be the first in line to buy tickets to see him in concert! Love him!
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Sherrie Gulmahamad
December 1st, 2009 - 1:38:02 PM
The flyover states need to get used to two dudes kissing already.
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Aaron
December 1st, 2009 - 4:16:24 PM
It's because America is the epitome of the straight white male patriarch that it gleefully condones lesbian imagery (long fetishised by hetero male culture) and condemns the male equivalent. And what people also don't mention is that the Britney/Madonna pash was much much "more" than Lambert's (comparatively quick) one! While he may lose the quick mass-market sales, cutting out a niche loyal following with strong statements and imagery does you better long-term - something that has kept Madonna alive past her hey-day mass-market era, into her 50's. Good luck to him, I say.
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Carry
December 2nd, 2009 - 2:38:16 AM
I think it did hurt sales - he moved 196,000 CDs according to HDD. That's only 10,000 more than Archaleta moved last year, despite constant press attention and hype for Adam. I mean, he's been all over the tv and magazines and had Amazon selling his CD for $3.99. I thought he'd do better.
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Nina
December 2nd, 2009 - 8:06:00 AM
First off...Carry...do your research before you type. Amazon does limited time $3.99 CDs with lots of artists the first week their albums are out. It has absolutely nothing to do with the "controversy." Secondly... I will do whatever it takes and pay whatever it takes to get front seats for Adam's tour. CAN. NOT. WAIT. FYE is a brilliant album and the music video for the title track is fantastic.
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Angel
December 2nd, 2009 - 8:26:48 AM
I wish I could buy a ticket for his solo tour NOW!!
6