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Adam Lambert - Life Before American Idol!

Filed Under () by Adam Lambert on Sunday, October 12, 2014

Posted at : Sunday, October 12, 2014




Unlike some of the bizarre stories claimed by American Idol contestants, that they auditioned on a "whim" or someone else prodded them along and/or they never had a singing lesson in their life, there are plenty who have had semi-successful careers before AI. Adam Lambert (season 8) was one of those; he had found partial successes, many singing jobs and had good vocal and theatrical training, and had even done some recording. Unfortunately for Adam and some of other Idol contestants who had successes before AI like Daughtry (season 5), Joanna Pacitti (season 8) and Crystal Bowersox (season 9) to name a few, the main thing missing was a fan base. American Idol, if you were good enough to make top 10, provided that.
Adam Lambert's parents Eber and Leila Lambert said he was a kid with non stop action, always needing to be doing things. Adam himself has said he was a "hyper" kid, but according to his parents that isn't true. After speaking with the doctor, he explained that Adam was not hyperactive, but "precocious". He was a very "aware" little boy to say the least. To keep he and his brother both busy, Eber and Leila enrolled them in a once a week local amateur theatre in the Meto Educational Theatre Network (MET2). Both boys thrived well with the discipline that often brought tears to their mother. She was involved as much as she could be, but was never a typical stage mother. By 11, Adam was into singing and acting intensely; he had vocal coaching and performed in many productions such as Hello Dolly, Camelot, Grease, The Music Man, Chess and Peter Pan.
When he began high school he continued his passions with drama and choir. He also sang with the school Jazz band and performed in high school productions. He sang at his commencement when he graduated. Being half Jewish on his mother's side, Adam was raised in the religion and also would sing in Hebrew at various Jewish functions. His sexuality was never a problem for him luckily. Having come out as gay to his parents and having the love and support of a nurturing family, Adam was self confident, involved in activities he loved which fortunately involve some of the most liberal people in the world. In the world of stage productions, fast changes, backstage nudity and things done for art are conducive to an unbiased, unprejudiced world with open minds.
After high school he enrolled at California State Collage, Fullerton but only lasted 9 weeks; many of those where he never attended classes. He decided that college was "not for him" and at 19 years old he obtained a job as the youngest lead singer on a cruise ship they had ever hired. He had a year long contract and moved to Los Angeles. Mom Leila was worried; when she saw Adam's first apartment she wept. It was bug-ridden and had cracked glass in the windows. But she realized she had to let him follow his heart and dreams. She often sent him food coupons to help him keep from starving.
The cruise tour lasted 10 months for Anita Mann Productions. He then sang light opera in Orange County, CA and kept auditioning for musical roles. He was cast in the European tour of "Hair" which he feels was the turning point of his sexuality, or possibly the final doubts were dispelled. Travelling with the Hair cast was eye-opening, and chock full of sex, drugs and rock and roll.

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3 comments:

Lam-My said...

Whoa, bugs in the apartment...Adam had to literally crawl his way out from that 'deep dark hole'. As I've always said, it boils down to the brain; some crawl out safely to smell the fresh air, others get lost or stuck or remain groping...some never reach the opening at all to smell the fresh air. Yea, Mom Leila is always close at hand and his Dad accepts him as he is but I remember he told Adam to pull up his socks, sort of. lol! Well Adam's socks are really up and well-fitted, so stretchable. lol!
According to Adam, he was the only one who got excellent reviews on Ten Commandments, even out-beating the main actor.
Regarding singing in Hebrew, I heard Adam sing in Hebrew, a Temple song at age 10; just that once, never surfaced again and yes his beautiful rendition of The Prayer with Nori. I've heard several versions of The Prayer duets; Adam did it best.

kitty411 said...

Adam has already led quite the life . . . more then paid his dues . . . he is just so amazing!

nancdruuu2 said...

"chock full of sex, drugs"...not very necessary. Otherwise, good report of the talented Adam Lambert.