NEW YORK— Complaints poured in Monday about Adam Lambert's sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards, including criticism of his kiss with a male keyboard player that was left out of rehearsals for the show.
ABC did not expect one of Lambert's dancers to stick his face in the singer's crotch during the S&M-themed performance of "For Your Entertainment," a moment that was cut out when the awards show was broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on the West Coast on Sunday.
During a rehearsal last week that an AP reporter attended, Lambert thrust a male dancer's face toward his crotch, though the dancer did not get as close to Lambert in the rehearsal as he did on Sunday night. At one point during rehearsals, Lambert also caressed a male dancer's upside-down face, but he kept his hands off the dancer's cheeks Sunday night.
"A lot of what I do is kind of freestyle," the singer told The Associated Press last week about the routine's choreography. "That's how it was on 'Idol.' That's how I perform. I like to have a framework, and just do stuff. So that kind of came about because of the connection that I had with that dancer."
Both hostile and supportive comments were posted online about the "American Idol" glam rocker's performance. While prowling an elaborate set during the number, Lambert also fondled one dancer and briefly led two dancers around on a leash. It followed the song's lyrical theme in which the singer warned, "It's about to get rough for you."
"For Your Entertainment" is the first single from Lambert's new album, which went on sale Monday.
Lambert's kiss recalled the MTV Video Music Awards moment in 2003 when Madonna and Britney Spears briefly locked lips. Lambert, who's openly gay, had even talked before going onstage about pushing the envelope on how provocative male performers could be.
He later told CNN that his kiss was "in the moment" and that if people were upset about it, "That's a form of discrimination and it's too bad."
ABC said more than 1,500 people complained, what it termed a "moderate" response, and the Parents Television Council also said it had heard from upset members.
"They're outraged," said Timothy Winters, president of the Parents Television Council. "They just can't believe the nature of the content, the explicit nature, and how much graphic content there was."
The rest of the article is on this link.
http://www.rr.com/entertainment/topic/article/rr/9006/9587142/ABC_Lamberts_performance_draws_1500_complaints
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It is a shame that things are getting so blatantly sexual in this industry. I remember watching this program and actually enjoying the performances.
GMA canceled his concert on their show and I am glad. CBS took him so they better get ready for some complaints, especially when young people are up and watching.
