Adam Lambert, new coach on The Voice Australia, has been ‘blown away’ by the talent uncovered
Adam Lambert is a Grammy-nominated singer, best known for performing to massive crowds with Queen, but he knows all too well what it feels like to be a singing hopeful trying to impress a panel of reality TV judges.
The performer, who came to fame after finishing second on American Idol in 2009, knows the process can be an emotional rollercoaster. So when he was asked to be part of The Voice Australia, Lambert says he relished the chance to be a positive influence.
“I definitely get flashbacks to what it felt like when I was up there (on stage),” Lambert tells STM of the experience of filming the show’s 13th season with new coaches LeAnn Rimes and Kate Miller-Heidke and returning coach Guy Sebastian.
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings.
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
“The format is a bit different to American Idol that I was on, but I love that we get to mentor people and put together a team.
“I think that’s what drew me to this in the first place, the chance to get to help, give them some helpful criticism and encouragement . . . it’s an exciting creative process.”
Lambert, 42, has toured with Queen for 10 years, singing in the place of the late Freddie Mercury (guitarist Brian May told People magazine he and drummer Roger Taylor thought the band would never play again, until Lambert “just appeared” — “The voice is extraordinary. There is no other voice in the universe like his voice.”)
Camera IconBrian May, left, and Adam Lambert at Queen’s performance at the Platinum Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace, London, Saturday June 4, 2022, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years of service. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, Pool) Credit: Alberto Pezzali/AP
But 15 years ago, Lambert was on the American Idol stage, dazzling viewers with his stylish flair and renditions of famous pop songs, including a memorable performance of Bohemian Rhapsody. He finished as runner-up, in a controversial decision, and released his debut album, For Your Entertainment. The song Whataya Want From Me garnered a Grammy nomination.
Lambert says he feels very suited to coach aspiring Australian singers on this year’s The Voice, knowing what it feels like to be in their shoes.
And he says he was shocked at the depth of talent and the array of incredible singing voices across a variety of genres that have been uncovered.
“I’m pretty blown away,” he says. “It’s surpassed any expectation I had; the talent is really, really great.
“There are different styles of singers and something for everybody. I know that sounds like a generic pitch, but there really is. We have singers doing contemporary pop songs, country and soul.”
Camera IconPerformer Adam Lambert is a coach on The Voice Australia in 2024. Credit: Nicholas Wilson
Lambert, who is an outspoken advocate for the LGBTIQA community, says the music industry has come a long way with queer representation since he emerged on the scene.
In 2012, when he released his second studio album, Trespassing, it topped the US Billboard 200 — making him the first openly gay man to top the list.
“When I came off Idol my identity, being openly gay, was a whole other ball game,” he says. “There weren’t a lot of examples I had and just representing the LGBTIQA community was a whole beautiful, exciting and challenging adventure.
“(Representation) has opened up a lot in the music industry, we are seeing a lot more diversity.”
Chatting over the phone from Sydney, Lambert speaks highly of being Down Under, even going as far to say he’d consider spending his golden years here.
“I could see myself retiring here in the later years of my life, that would be lovely,” he laughs.
“The quality of life here is so lovely and there is a high happiness level.”
Lambert has made his way to WA a “handful of times” throughout his touring career and on recent visits, making sure to tick visiting Rottnest Island off his list and mastering the non-negotiable quokka selfie.
“I’ve had a couple of very lovely bike rides there, I saw the quokkas, I went over there knowing that was content gold,” he says.
In terms of what’s next on the horizon for the dynamic performer, Lambert has just released a new EP, titled Afters.
“I want to be making music right now that makes me want to move,” he says.
The Voice Australia premieres on Seven and 7plus on August 19.
Vote for The Voice Australia for best entertainment program at the Logies at vote.tvweeklogies.com.au.
#Adam #Lambert #coach #Voice #Australia #blown #talent #uncovered