Image Credit: Taylor Hill/WireImage.comHow did celebrities ever respond to controversy before Twitter? The latest celeb to tackle a big issue on the micro-blogging site is Adam Lambert, who tweeted a response this afternoon to complaints made by a Malaysian opposition group leading up to his scheduled Thursday night performance.
The Pan Malaysian Islamic Party recently called for the cancellation of Lambert’s concert in the country, saying he and his show promoted “gay culture,” according to reports. Lambert responded today, tweeting: “While I don’t believe that my glamnation tour is in any way offensive I have agreed to make a few minor adjustments out of respect for the Malaysian government.”
He followed up his (rather mild) response with:
Does my show ‘promote the gay lifestyle’? It promotes living ANY lifestyle that includes the freedom to seek love and intimacy. Gay, straight, bi, young or old. It’s all inclusive….Plus, what’s THE gay lifestyle? There isn’t just one. There are so many different kinds of gay people. We have a variety of different lifestyles. There’s not only one lifestyle lived by straight folks. Generalizing….
Lambert is no stranger to criticism here in the States, either. Last year, his racy performance on the American Music Awards — in which he simulated a sex act on stage — resulted in backlash from the FCC and the network. (He later kind of apologized for the incident.)
Keeping in mind Lambert’s tendency to push the envelope, do you think he can hold himself back enough to please the group opposing his concert? Should he have to? Sound off, Mixers!
On Twitter: @EWSandraG and follow Music Mix at @EWMusicMix
First and formost, this is homophobia at its worst. Asking an artist to cancel his (already scheduled and sold out) concert because of his sexual preference is nasty. It doesn’t matter whether you like Lambert as an artist or not, no one should have to be judged by their sexuality. No one.
So go to Malaysia and complain.
To this article writer: I know you said “kind of apologized”, but he actually never apologized. He said “I might have over done it”…and that does not count as “kind of apologizing”.
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Post my comment!!!!!
Before you judge them, don’t forget the things that are happening in America. Gays have more freedoms here but are we as a nation really that much better? This is hardly homophobia at its worst. Don’t ask, Don’t tell anyone? Not to even talk about hate crimes. We need to fix things at home as we criticize other countries.
ITA. We hypocritical to complain about Malaysia when gay teens havea 40% higher suicide rate largely due to bullying in this country of ours, gay marriage is largely outlawed, gays cannot serve openly in the military, and just this weekend three gay men were tortured in NYC.
Let’s also not forget that less than a year ago, a major television network banned Lambert from their shows and replaced him with a convicted felon who badly beat a woman.
What have we learned? In this country, it is far far worse to be gay than to be a violent abuser of women.
So let’s not congratulate ourselves.
“Gays have more freedoms here but are we as a nation really that much better?”
Yes, Anna, we are. I agree that America still has serious problems with homophobia/civil rights, but please, don’t be dramatic. It’s a teensy bit harder to be openly gay in Malaysia – having “more freedoms” as you said DOES mean that we as a nation are better on this issue (not much to brag about, but yeah). :-/
He never kind of apologized! He said: I might of over done it-that is NOT a apology.
^^I didn’t mean to post this again……but they didn’t post my other comment, so I just kept on posting. They FINALLY posted the other just now.
I fear for his safety there and hope that 19productions gets him out of there as soon as possible.Many Islamic countries are theocracy and i worry about his safety….sm
Why do you always use that unflattering photo? Adam is gorgeous, couldn’t you pick a better likeness?
I’m Malaysian and we are not a theocracy. We have a democratically elected government. Read the article carefully, it says the opposition group that’s pushing for the ban. You can even the wikipedia entry on Malaysia. Don’t wallow in your ignorance.
Gorgeous?? LMAO!!!!!
Yes,Adam IS GORGEOUS!! Maybe not to you,but to many!
Gosh,it never ceases to amaze me how many people who ***apparently*** don’t appreciate Adam always wind up on sites that are related to him. Amazing really!!
Barry are you gorgeous? I bet not. I am not either but I still think it is everyone’s right to love and adore who they want. If the women think Adam is gorgeous who are we to disagree? My wife is obessed with Adam and that is ok with me. Why should it bother you if others think this? If you don’t care for the man why even bother to coment? Surely there are other articles on this site to comment about?
I would use the word gorgeous to describe a woman not a man.
“Gorgeous” is usually applied to women, but it is commonly applied to men as well. Probably because “handsome” doesn’t cover the many various images of attractive men these days.
“Homophobia at it’s worst?” Um. Not exactly. Killing gay kids or bullying them to the point of them wanting to kill themselves is a TAD worse, imo. Not letting Lambert (who I adore, btw) mimic oral sex on stage is not. I think Adam was right to back down. The very fact that he is there & performing his heart out will be inspirational to many Maylasian Islamic gay youth. Respecting their culture and laws is important and sends a positive message.
@lina – just read your post. Guess I got it wrong. Thanks for the info.
You’re wrong. There is nothing wrong with adjusting to your audience. It is merely meeting demand. You don’t even know if he can sing anymore since his shows are all suggestive lewd acts…regardless of sexual preference. The first to cry phobia or racism is the first to cry wolf.
Dude, Muslims have certain ways of life too. And rejecting them in favor of the “gay” way of life isn’t any better than homophobia.
The concert went great, over 16,000 in attendance…but this will not make the media because it is not a negative..Slezak only reports the negative articles on Adam…gets old…
Why is EW still the only publication that continues to cover this guy?
Apparently EW is the only publication you read. This has been covered in the New York Times and the Washington Post as well as other newspapers and web sites.
haha. Well said
Because he’s super talented and they and millions of people know it. What I want to know is why people like YOU continue to log onto sites about him when you know perfectly well the discussion will be about him.
If you don’t like him,go elsewhere. No one is making you comment!
There. It’s that simple!!
Exactly B! Well said!
Thank you. These people who don’t care for Adam should just leave people alone that do.
Well Said
I understand how annoying it is to read comments from people who dislike Adam for whatever reason. But they are entitled to post their opinions. Especially in an article about censorship it’s good to hear contrary opinions as well as supportive ones.
The NY Times, NY Post, Washington Post, ABC News and USA Today to name just a few “continue to cover this guy”. Apparently TJ your literary tastes don’t run outside of EW.
It’s funny you had to google it to look it up to find out who else is because CNN or FoxNews aren’t covering it.
@TJ,
So the sites @kms listed aren’t enough?
Um…Ok? Your comment makes perfect sense. ***rolls eyes***
Are you from Malasia, by any chance??
Hate to break it to you tj, but there are over 100 articles on just THIS Adam Lambert subject. Google it and then go back under your rock.
fool
You can tell you’re not a fan, honey, because my computer just blew up last week from so much ADAM. If you’re only reading the want ads, you don’t think anyone is talking about football in October, either.
Adam gets covered by many newspapers and mags, is this site the only one you read TJ? It has Adam’s name right up there in the heading, if the guy bothers you so much by waste your time reading about something you care nothing about? It just annoys me when people go on any article about anything that they don’t care for and then they complain about it. Well hell did anyone put a gun to any of you idiots head and made you read it????
why is Adam Lambert being covered by this info group? maybe because there are 111 comments posted and i am certain many people who read this article did not post a comment. guess someone is interested in him.
Having seen the GNT concert in the states, I cannot imagine what they would find objectionable aside from a kiss that Adam occasionally gives his “straight” bassist. He doesn’t even curse word on stage…unless “love” is considered a curse word there.
I also saw the tour this summer…so good, so musical, so over-the-top…except for the one kiss, it was not remotely objectionable (for others, not me…I LOVED the kiss!)
this group is just as wacky as the Westboro trolls, the Liberty Counsel and other right-wing groups that exist here and would like to enforce repressive censorship on all to accommodate their worldview.
these groups bear the same lack of tolerance the Islamic group displays.
the difference is that we still have freedom of artistic expression in this country. so far.
They have it in Malaysia, too. I spent six weeks there this summer on a study abroad. I’d never heard an Adam Lambert song on the radio before going there. The people I stayed with assumed I liked American pop music and had it tuned to that in Malaysia and I heard “What Do You Want From Me” ten times a day. They love Adam Lambert there and Malaysia is quite tolerant, especially for an Islamic country. I saw lots of openly gay couples. Hell, the program director talked about a teacher at one of the schools she supervises that was a cross dresser. I don’t think that could be the case here in the US. It just so happens that this country has this conservative political party but that party does not speak for the attitude of many of the Malaysians.
TJ -
All you need to do is search Adam Lambert on a daily basis under news and you will see that this is not the only site that covers him. Jealousy is ugly, get over it!! BTW Adams concert is mild in comparison to others. Whatever tweaks he did, had to be minor at best.
“All you need to do is search Adam Lambert on a daily basis”? Someone needs a real hobby. Preferably one that involves the outdoors.
Why is that your concern GER? You are here as well, so go and take your advice and find that hobby outdoors!
@tj why are you the one that cares, move on, gee you put your name your email and wrote???
I think that he should do the show, and then kiss Tommy at the airport, and say KISS MY ASS!!
Loved his second tweet, never thought of it that way.thanks for the informative article EW.
His concert in Philipine went well and that country has a lot of muslim. I’m sure he’ll do fine with his concert in Melasyia. But I can’t wait until he is out of that country once he is done with his concert.
I would carry a bag of sandwiches(from somewhere else) and not touch the food, get my drift.
Really, have you ever been to Malaysia? And if you have, were you the type of tourist who eats at Mcdonalds’ all the time?
Well, yeah, but it’s a predominantly Catholic country.
Out of the 75,000 people who attended his one Glam Nation Tour show in St. Jean (near Montreal) last 14 August, not one single person found him or any part of his show offensive.
Right, you said it. I’m Canadian and I’m with you. We are very tolerant and liberal in Canada and we’re proud of it. However, as much as I love sexy Adam moves and Adam/Tommy interaction I would hate to see any blemishes on Adam’s incredible international tour at this time. It’s probably best to respect a different culture.
LOL We get it Canadians, you’re better than us. Now shut up.
Probably the Canadians were tsking last year when Adam’s career was nearly scuttled by one performance at the AMAs.
Like Malaysian, we’re a democratic country with a large, politically conservative party. Adam had to assure people that he wouldn’t be kissing Tommy on Daytime Television in order to appear on The View. Is that very different than toning down the sexual aspects of his show to respect a specific culture?
Sunny, you are right. I have attended 5 concerts this summer and have found Adam to be the best ever. I have gone to many concerts in my time and not once have I ever heard ” He’s a God, he is so fabulous, what a voice. That’s all you hear after Adam performs and how amazing he is. Adam is iconic
Really? Would love to see the poll result.
If i wasn’t already gay, Adam Lambert could definitely “turn me gay”!!!
Beware, people – HE’S GAY, HE’S EVIL .. HE’S FABULOUS!!!.
he is not evil and y know that if u were born straight that nothing would change who u are. Just as u were born gay and u are who u are.
So, it’s safe to assume you were born an idiot and being repeatedly dropped on your head as a child didn’t cause it?!?!
Tom was just using a metaphor. WTF got your panties up your butt?
to each their own but adam is blah
LOL!!!!
That’s like saying Zebras don’t have stripes…..
I’d hate to see the artists who you feel are not’blah’. ZZZZZZZZZZ
If Adam is blah, then what the hell are you , blah to the 10th degree? what have you done today? Adam is selling out concerts worldwide. blah, my ass
People are allowed to have opinions that differ from your own, Kelly. Get over it.
I agree Dave but usually I don’t go on sites of which I don’t care about the subject of the article. Just me I guess. If I thought Adam was blah and I saw an article about him I would go elsewhere. JMO
Adam is exciting,different,unique,out-of-the box,in-your-face,OTT,dynamic,…..
Blah?? Not even on a ‘so-so’ day!!!
@jpratm – sorry hun, but “blah” is one adjective that could never describe Adam F Lambert. ROTFLMFAO
@kms15423,
I totally agree and ROTFLMAO with you.
Never ever in a million gazillion years would I put Adam and ‘blah’ in the same sentence.
To each their own,I guess!
Well there are more adjectives I would associate with Adam and BLAH would never even enter my mind about him. If you don’t care for him ok, but BLAH? That is a cop out. Adam will never be Blah.
thanks for using your time to comment on blah… wow , how exciting your life must be…. NOT
And thank you for using your time to comment on someone else commenting on that. What does that say about YOUR life? Not much excitement there either, huh?
Adam is actually taking quite a risk by performing in a country with an Islamic party of over a million who oppose his lifestyle and have little love for Americans in general. He needs to obide by their customs, which is only right when you visit a foreign country. His presence will be an inspiration to many young people there. Then he needs to get the hell out of that country. I pray for his safety.
I totally agree with you. I think he should perform a somewhat clean show and respect the customs of Malaysia. Other artists have had problems there before. If he gives them what they want they will invite him again. Save all the sexy stuff for Europe – anything goes there, I know I was born there.
Me too – Adam, I’d rather you didn’t put yourself in danger. I know the show is sold-out but it isn’t worth it. Leave Malaysia
off your tour!
I so agree, I don’t know what 19 productions was thinking. This is not a safe place for him to be. Hope Neal tells it all in his blog
A safe place to be? Why would it be an unsafe place to be? The crime rate in Malaysia is lower than in the US, and since most Malaysians are Muslims (meaning their religion demands tolerance and peace) I don’t see why Malaysia would be anymore dangerous than anywhere else in the world. I know you guys like to talk about tolerance and acceptance for gays but how about some open mindedness on the subject of Muslims and Islam?
Adam is not adjusting his concert to please the “group”, but out of respect to the government.
Okay first, don’t judge him, he’s gay and has the right to support people who share that characteristic with him.
Why did you have to bring up his AMA performance? There was nothing wrong with it. Britney and Madonna did the same thing, the same night and nobody complained. So he had a right to stand his ground.
Just as he stood his ground then, he still has the right to do so in this situation. He didn’t want to disappoint his fans, so he made a few changes, but still spoke his mind while doing so. Who cares? Malaysia’s loss.
Open your minds, okay Entertainment Weekly? *sigh*
OK … first of all there was controversy over Madonna and Brittany. I guess when artists don’t respect their audiences I get upset. Being exposed to sexually explicit material without your consent is a form of sexual assault gay or straight. Just because it is packaged in the genre of entertainment makes it no less offensive. If someone walked up to you and began acting out sexually, they would be arrested. What we need here is a little respect for people across the board. There seems to be so little of it left.
Then make it equally ‘offensive’ across the board. Adam’s infamous AMA performance was scrutinized beyond belief, and the other,who were ‘exposing’ their audience to sexually explicit material, were left unscathed. Adam took the entire rath of the minority that evening. The fallout did not cover ‘across the board’.
Equal censorship or non at all.
**wrath**
Well said B.
Then may I suggest that you stay home all the time, because you will inevitably see kissing in all forms of culture: movies, musicals, operas, theatre, dancing, rock shows, visual arts exhibitions, etc.