Is the media ruining Adam Lambert's chances of winning American Idol?
I don't know why today it's the big story, but suddenly everywhere I look there's another story about Adam Lambert being gay. Or maybe gay. He's never officially come out one way or the other. And it's mostly the same story being recycled on every website or news portal imaginable, but while it's asking the question "Could Adam Lambert become the first gay American Idol?" I'm asking if all these news stories could hurt his chances.It would be foolish to say that we're a nation that's completely beyond caring about sexual orientation, just look at legislation across the country. And while former contestants have come out and admitted they were gay, most notably Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, nobody has admitted it while competing on Idol. And yet, Lambert has been the most ambiguous about it, which is a step in the right direction. Most people are just kind of assuming he is, I guess. But there is probably just as large a group out there that has no idea. And a lot of them may see these articles.
In a week where Lambert was in the bottom two despite having the greatest vocal range of the remaining finalists, and from what I'm told right here at TV Squad, the largest fan-base, you have to wonder if whether or not he is gay will have an impact on his ultimate finishing place. If he does win, is he going to be able to come out if he is gay? Does the show really care one way or the other any more? Speculation certainly has been that they've cared in the past. "Family friendly television" apparently means no gays, just ask Miss California.
Of course now we're in a situation where if Lambert does go home next week or soon thereafter, here's the reason that his fans can claim. At the same time, it is unusual that he ranked so low considering the judges gushing over him constantly and the way the audience reacts to him when he performs in group numbers or during his regular performances. Maybe it's just the typical mid-season "shocker" that we get every year.
I'd like to think that we're better than that, but as with Miss California, I know there are just as many people out there who passionately believe against homosexuality. Whether they're also watching American Idol in enough numbers to make a difference for Adam I don't know. Certainly if they are, and people decide that this is a factor, I think future contestants will be much more adamant about their heterosexuality, regardless of their true state of being.
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