Adam Lambert Says the Music Industry Has Made ‘So Much Progress’ with LGBTQ Artists Over the Years

Adam Lambert is celebrating the significant strides the music industry has made in embracing LGBTQ artists over the years. The “American Idol” alum, who rose to stardom in 2009, has long been a vocal advocate for inclusion and diversity in entertainment. During a recent virtual appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Lambert reflected on the changes he has witnessed, expressing his gratitude for the progress made since he first stepped onto the national stage.

Lambert, who placed second on American Idol, shared his experiences of navigating the mainstream music industry as an openly gay artist. “It’s a big change,” he said. “I remember coming off of Idol and going into the mainstream music industry, label system, and them just — even if they were excited themselves, there was a lot of question marks. There was a lot of fear like, ‘Is this gonna sell? Is this gonna work?'”

At the time, Lambert faced concerns about whether his identity would hinder his commercial success. He explained that despite personal support from industry insiders, there was still apprehension about how an openly gay artist would be received by the public. “As you know, that’s the name of the game for the commercial music business. It’s a business,” he told Kelly Clarkson, a fellow Idol star. “It was a bit of a struggle to kind of hold my ground and keep focused on my part of the deal, which is being the artist and the musician, being the guy that wears those weird shoes.”

Despite the challenges, Lambert has remained optimistic about his journey. “It was a lot of ups and downs, but I’m really thankful for my experience. And I think that the world has changed,” he said. “I think we’re in a place now — within the music industry, within the entertainment industry, and in the world — where yes, there’s still discrimination, there’s still problems, there’s still work to be done, but there has been so much progress made.”

Lambert’s journey as an LGBTQ artist began in the public eye when he appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in 2009, confirming his sexuality in an interview with the publication. “I’m trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader,” Lambert told Rolling Stone at the time. “I don’t think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay. I’ve been living in Los Angeles for eight years as a gay man. I embrace it. It’s just another part of me.”

Fast forward to 2019, and Lambert noted the shift in the industry’s openness toward LGBTQ artists in an interview with Variety. He described the changes over the years as a “totally different landscape.” “There is much more visibility so it doesn’t feel like a foreign or scary concept,” Lambert explained. “When I first came on the scene almost everybody that I encountered in the music business was very supportive of me personally, but they were all a bit nervous about how it could work publicly.”

In today’s climate, Lambert believes that the industry has proven there is a market for LGBTQ artists, which has paved the way for more diversity and inclusion. “Now it’s been proven that there is a market and an audience,” he added. “It’s allowing a lot more diversity to be pushed through.”

Adam Lambert’s reflections serve as a reminder that while there is still work to be done, the progress made in the entertainment industry has been significant. His career is a testament to the increasing acceptance and celebration of LGBTQ voices in music, and he remains hopeful for even greater inclusivity in the future.