Adam Lambert On His AMAs Censored Performance: ‘That’s Discrimination’

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  • Adam Lambert performs onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
  • Adam Lambert kisses keyboardist Tommy Ratliff onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
  • Adam Lambert arrives at the Us Weekly Hot Hollywood Event at Voyeur on November 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
  • Adam Lambert arrives at the premiere of ‘2012’ at the Regal Cinemas LA Live on November 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

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    Adam Lambert performs onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

  • Getty Images

    Adam Lambert kisses keyboardist Tommy Ratliff onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

  • Getty Images

    Adam Lambert arrives at the Us Weekly Hot Hollywood Event at Voyeur on November 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

  • Getty Images

    Adam Lambert arrives at the premiere of ‘2012’ at the Regal Cinemas LA Live on November 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: November 23, 2009 9:13 AM EST
LAST UPDATED: November 24, 2009 3:31 PM EST

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Even before Adam Lambert’s show-stopping performance at the 2009 American Music Awards was edited for the west coast feed of the awards show, the singer told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson that he felt censoring his performance would be wrong.

“You know honestly, if I offended some people… it’s apples and oranges. I’m not an artist that does things for every single person,” Adam told Access’ Shaun backstage following his racy performance of “For Your Entertainment,” where he simulated fellatio with a male dancer and kissed male keyboardist Tommy Ratliff, who is straight.

“I believe in artistic freedom and expression, I believe in honoring the lyrics of a song, and those lyrics aren’t really for everybody either,” he continued.

And before his performance was edited, he told Access the thought of changing what happened on stage for the other half of the country would be a double standard.

“If it’s edited, that’s discrimination,” Adam said. “I will be a little disappointed because there is a little bit of discrimination going in this country. There’s a big double standard, female pop artists have been doing things provocative like that for years, and the fact that I’m a male, and I’ll be edited and discriminated against could be a problem.”

The singer did admit that an edited down performance would not shock him.

“I’m not going to be surprised that they edit it,” he continued. “People are scared and it’s really sad, I just wish people could open their minds up and enjoy things, it’s all for a laugh, it’s really not that big of a deal.”

Adam said he’s only trying to add a little shock to his show – something many before him have done.

“Shock is fun, shock rock is like something that existed, for example, like in the 70’s, Alice Cooper…David Bowie, you had artists that liked to push the envelope and that’s what made them so fresh,” he explained. “Prince for example, wore a**less chaps one year…I think that surprise is part of entertainment. I think that it keeps people watching its fun, it makes you laugh and it should be that way. And if it made you uncomfortable, maybe I’m not for you.”

Early Monday morning the singer thanked his fans on Twitter for their support, writing, “All hail freedom of expression and artistic integrity…fans: I adore u.”

To see Shaun Robinson’s entire interview with Adam Lambert following his racy AMA performance, CLICK HERE!

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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