I don’t create controversy: Adam Lambert

SINGAPORE – The fuss over Adam Lambert’s upcoming Singapore performance is all water off a duck’s back for the singer, who arrived in town to perform at the New Year’s Eve countdown show, Celebrate 2016, which happens tomorrow night (Dec 31).

The 33-year-old’s arrival was prefaced by controversy in the form of petitions both against and for his upcoming performance. When asked for his response to the issue, Lambert quipped: “I was actually flattered that people cared so much.”

On a more serious note, he added that in his music, “I try to stay focused on the positive and on the thing that unites us, not the thing that divides us.”

“I don’t create controversy. I think controversy is sort of in the eye of the beholder,” said the singer. “In the past, I did one or two controversial things on purpose. But I think my mission now is really honest and from the heart and real. Depending on where you’re from in the world, certain things may seem controversial to you or not. My intention is not to provoke but to reflect; to be honest and to be real.”

To that end, his latest album, The Original High, which contains the hit song Ghost Town, was designed to be deeper and more reflective, he said.

“I think that with this album, it kind of reflects where I’m at in my life right now, which is, I think, a bit more grounded than maybe when I first started on this scene six years ago,” he explained.

“Six years ago I had different ideas. I wanted to discuss different things. Naturally I’ve evolved, neither better nor for worse, but like all people do. I’ve changed some of the way I dress and some of the way I view the world; and my relationships have changed. And maybe I’ve grown and learnt more about the world,” he added. “It’s great to create music that lets people escape sometimes; that is happy and joyful. And I’ve done a lot of that.

However, Lambert also pointed out that he was also trying to let his music reflect how he felt about what was happening in the world around us.

“The world we’re living in is complicated. There are a lot of beautiful and wonderful things but there’s also a lot of evil and darkness out there right now,” he said. “Music should reflect our real feelings and that’s what makes it a great art form – that it can go anywhere emotionally.

“How can I sing bubblegum pop songs in light of some of the events of this year?” he said. “I like to dance around in silly costumes, but I also like to talk about real things.”

Like any artist, Lambert – who said that the best things to happen to him this year were going on tour with rock legends Queen and releasing his album – said he felt the need to maintain a constant balance between doing what he wants to do and wanting to make people happy and “feel connected”. “It’s this constant struggle where I go, ‘Oh, I don’t care,’ and then I go, ‘Oh, do they like it?’” he said.

His performance at the show tomorrow night will walk that line, with Lambert saying that he’s created a show especially for Singapore. “I thought very, very hard and I took a lot of time to figure out which songs were going to speak to as many different people as possible, which songs best represented me and my current album and mission statement,” he elaborated.

“I think we came up with something great. There are going to be songs that people know and love, so I’m very excited to share them.”

Catch the live broadcast of Celebrate 2016 tomorrow, at 11pm on Mediacorp TV Channel 5. Tickets from S$38 to S$168 from SISTIC.