Adam Lambert drops the lead single, “New Eyes,” from his upcoming album Velvet, and it’s a groovilicious affair.
The mid-tempo track has a definite pop/funk vibe with a dash of soul that feels like a throwback to glam-rock of the 1970s.
The music video mirrors that with funky retro style and a bit of psychedelic alchemy as Lambert hands out late-night party favors to strangers.
It's all very much a departure from the EDM/synth-pop of Lambert's 2015 album, The Original High.
"I wanted my first single to reflect my current state of mind and to bring listeners into a romantic, earthy vibe," said the singer. "'New Eyes' is a love letter to innocence and to finding new passions."
According to press materials, the new video (directed by Miles and AJ) is the first installment of a multi-part short film that leads up to the album release.
In the four years since The Original High release, the 37-year-old has been touring extensively as the frontman for iconic rock band, Queen, as well as making a cameo appearance in the Freddy Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.
Lambert is scheduled to perform “New Eyes” on the season finale of his old stomping grounds, American Idol, this coming Sunday. He’s also snagged a prime summer appearance on the Good Morning America concert series on June 28.
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, the gay son of a Maryland pastor, scored last night as he performed in front of his parents for the first time on his journey with American Idol.
With coaching from none other than Queen frontman Adam Lambert, Harmon offered a emotional, stripped down version of “Who Wants To Live Forever,” which resulted in a standing ovation from the audience, the judges, and most importantly, his parents.
He sang an original song he’d written, titled “Almost Heaven,” which questioned if there is a place for him in heaven. The song choice put the tension with his family center stage.
Last night's song choice of “Who Wants To Live Forever,” famously sung by openly bisexual rocker Freddie Mercury, made it clear Harmon wanted to send a message with his parents in attendance.
But, while many are referring to the 26-year-old's family 'shunning him,' he recently told Out that portrayal of his family dynamic wasn't quite accurate.
“I've never said that my parents have rejected me, or don't accept me as me, their son,” he shared with Out. “And that in combination with my parents not being able to make it to the first couple performances and [not being] featured on the show yet, you know, it's easy for people to take that and run with it … in reality, they're just trying to integrate this experience and they're processing it in their own way.”
Judge Katy Perry, who is also a ‘pastor’s kid,’ has championed Harmon from day one. After his haunting performance which showed off his effortless high notes, she had only praise.
“Jeremiah, you really embodied the spirit of Freddie Mercury with that performance,” said Perry. “It was so beautiful seeing you perform in front of your parents for the first time, and it’s so wonderful to see your journey.”
“And to see your parents come out here, and support you, and accept you, and know it’s a “come as you are” situation,” she continued. “God bless you.”
Luke Bryan remarked on Harmon’s ability to “take us on a complete journey.”
“That was a journey that built and built and built, and you just took it to the next level,” Bryan gushed. “I loved every second of it.”
And elder statesman Lionel Richie chimed in, “There’s something you just can’t teach - the ability to draw people in.”
“The dynamics of your voice, you’ve got a band that sounds like that much power coming behind you, and you take the band to the next level,” said Richie. “That means you’re doing something powerful.”
“Your voice is something to be reckoned with,” he finished, adding, “I’m very proud of you and keep up the good work. The best time to do it is in front of your parents.’
Stay tuned, folks, because Harmon made it to the Top 6 now.
Could we have our first openly gay American Idol?
Jeremiah's parents gave him a standing ovation attending their first AI episode
American Idol went live last night as the Top 14 look to the public’s votes to continue in the competition.
The show will reveal Monday night which contestants will go on to the Top 10. America’s votes will determine 7 of those spots, while the judges will choose 3 contestants to continue.
Out singer/songwriter Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon knocked another song out of the park continuing his string of solid performances.
As I've previously reported, his story as the openly gay son of a pastor in Maryland has already touched viewers. Following his progress, we’ve learned his family didn’t exact embrace his coming out three years ago.
But that drama was nowhere in sight last night as the 26-year-old sat down at the piano to sing.
Putting his effortless high notes front and center, Harmon delivered a passionate, gospel-tinged version of Elton John’s classic, “We All Fall in Love Sometimes.”
The judges were falling over themselves to praise the young singer from Maryland.
American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry & Luke Bryan
“You just took an Elton John song, you went past Freddy Mercury, and you ‘Jeremiah-ed’ the whole thing,” said Lionel Richie.
Comparing Harmon to the two queer pop icons, Richie added, “There are notes that Elton can’t do; then there are notes that Freddie Mercury can’t do; and you went to a Z flat somewhere up there past Pluto and Mars. It was amazing. And your voice is amazing, and your career is going to be amazing.”
Katy Perry, who is also a ‘PK’ (pastor’s kid), has been a staunch supporter of Harmon’s from day one.
“I’m a mess,” she confessed, clearly shook. “I’m just so proud.”
“You’re such a gift,” she continued, effusive with praise. “ You’re a light to the world. Your story is everything, and your talent supersedes all.”
“The whole time I’m watching that I’m like I’m not worthy to be sitting here watching,” added Luke Bryan — points were made. “I just see Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon on this big billboard.”
The judges loved his performance, but we’ll have to see how the voting viewers respond.
What do you think, readers? Is Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon the next American Idol?
Cynthia Erivo & Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon on 'American Idol'
It was “Celebrity Duets” week on American Idol, and the talent competition saw 6 contestants eliminated as the show heads towards opening up the voting to the public next week.
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, the openly gay son of a Maryland pastor, had the good fortune to be paired with Tony/Grammy/Emmy Award-winning actress (The Color Purple) Cynthia Erivo for a luscious, show stopping performance of Cyndi Lauper’s classic hit, “Time After Time.”
Side note: Erivo’s performance in the Broadway revival of Color Purple was a transformational experience - easily one of the most powerful star turns this writer has ever seen onstage. She deserved every accolade and honor for her gut-wrenching turn as “Miss Celie.”
And now, back to American Idol…
The song was an inspired choice that played to both singers' strengths. With complicated runs, obvious chemistry and effortless high notes, the performance definitely impressed the judges.
Katy Perry: “It’s like you guys’ souls were singing to each other…It was a spiritual moment for me.”
Luke Bryan: “It was incredible. I’m sitting on the edge of my seat going, ‘Please go for the big note;’ and you did it, and you just knocked it outta the park. Great job.”
Lionel Richie: “That was glorious. Glorious…We just witnessed a masterful performance."
In a recent interview with Out, Harmon shared that American Idol hasn’t quite told his story as honestly as he’d like.
Thus far, his narrative has been one of rejection by his family after he came out.
“I've never said that my parents have rejected me, or don't accept me as me, their son,” Harmon told Out. “And that in combination with my parents not being able to make it to the first couple performances and [not being] featured on the show yet, you know, it's easy for people to take that and run with it and say, ‘Oh, Jeremiah's parents are these monstrous, abusive people,’ which in reality, they're just trying to integrate this experience and they're processing it in their own way.”
Racking up strong performances like “Time After Time,” plus previous turns with “Landslide” and an original song, “Heaven,” Harmon’s family will have more time to “process” the experience as Harmon advanced to the Top 14 and will continue his AI journey.
Watch Harmon and Erivo make musical magic with “Time After Time” below.
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon on American Idol (screen capture via YouTube)
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, the gay son of a Maryland pastor, delivered an emotional performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” on American Idol Sunday night.
For his first AI audition, Harmon performed an original song titled, “After Heaven,” which wonders if there would be a place in heaven for him.
At the time, he was working as a janitor in his dad’s church. But, he’s since left that job.
The 26-year-old shared that his “Landslide” performance was dedicated to his parents, who he revealed have not accepted him since he came out as gay.
“They were really on my mind when I sang that,” he said in a clip interspersed with his performance. “I just want them to know that I love them, and I tried to communicate that.”
The song choice made for powerful reflection as he sang the song before a live audience:
Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?
“I just gotta keep telling myself that I can do this,” said Harmon through tears to the camera. “I’m doing this for me. I’m doing this for everyone who’s been outcast by their loved ones."
"I know that this isn’t just my experience, and if I can be open about it and vulnerable, then maybe that can bring hope to somebody else.”
After the performances, Harmon sat down to hear what the judges had to say.
Katy Perry, who is also the child of a pastor, connected with Harmon relating how her parents didn’t groove on her first hit song, “I Kissed a Girl.”
“It was difficult for me because I felt very alone in what is supposed to be a very exciting time in my life,” she shared. “It has taken some time, but we’ve all come around to agree to disagree.”
“I just want to say, from one pastor’s kid to another, that I see you, and I love you, and I accept you, and I’m so proud of you,” she added.
And with that, she told Harmon he would be moving on to the round of Top 20 aspiring singers.
The ginger singer has definitely struck a chord with the TV audience.
Up to now, the decisions have been left to the judges. Here’s hoping the viewers at home pick up the phone and vote for Harmon.
And, depending how far he goes, will his parents show up along his American Idol journey?
Well, I’ve been afraid of changing
Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
For contestant Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, being the last audition of the day for American Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, turned out to be a case of ‘saved the best for last.”
Harmon, the openly gay son of a Catonsville pastor, shared with the judges that he works in his dad’s church as a janitor.
Harmon remembers singing for the first time at four years-old, and that he enjoys his work at the church because “It’s usually just me in the facility, so I’m singing all the time.”
“Just mopping away, doing the trash, wiping down all the toilets and stuff - just cleaning and singing,” he added.
Perry instantly connected with Harmon as a “PK” - ‘pastor’s kid’ - saying, “I feel you, I know you.”
The 26-year-old told the judges he knew he was gay when he was nine years-old, and shares that growing up a “PK” he felt there were parts of him “that do belong, and certain parts of the that don’t belong.”
When he came out to his family three years ago, he was told “this is not a path that I should follow.”
“All of my religion has been stripped down to I love you no matter what,” he added.
He then sat down at the piano to perform an original song he wrote, titled “Almost Heaven,” which he explained was inspired by “questioning if there is a place for me and people like me in heaven.”
The judges were duly impressed.
“You need to lose the broom, my friend,” Richie said. “When you opened your mouth and started singing, I went straight to Billy Joel. Then you kept singing and you passed Billy Joel.”
“Your range is incredible, your voice is incredible,” added Richie.
“Do you know how good you are?” Perry asked Harmon.
Needless to say, the possibly former-janitor is moving to next phase of the competition.
Local ABC news affiliate WMAR profiled Harmon before his American Idol appearance where he shared, “Music is my way of processing my emotional experiences, and my relationships.”
• Oklahoma and Kansas state legislatures pass anti-LGBTQ adoption laws
• A new survey of over 40,000 Americans shows acceptance for same-sex marriage has hit 61%
• Ireland moves to ban so-called "conversion therapy"
• The 'boys of summer' are back and most Major League Baseball teams have scheduled special LGBT Pride Nights (head over to Outsports.com for a complete list of MLB Pride Nights)
• Drag queen Ada Vox exits American Idol with her head held high
• Tony Kushner’s Angels In America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes became the most Tony-nominated play in history as the 2018 Tony Award nominations were announced
• Adam Rippon came to slay on the premiere of the all-athletes season of Dancing with the Stars
All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report
"Disney Night" on American Idol did not prove to be a magical event for contestant Ada Vox, the drag persona of Adam Sanders, who has been wowing the judges all the way into the talent competition's Top 10.
Although her rendition of "Circle of Life" from the hit animated musical The Lion King was one of the best performances of the night, she couldn't garner enough support from the voting public to move on to the top seven.
“How special it is to have you on this show,” said judge Lionel Richie. “You are a movement unto yourself.”
Vox was the first drag queen to ever get this far in the competition.
“Although America might not be ready for people like those of us who are a little bit different,” Vox told HuffPost in advance of Sunday’s show, “I think it’s very important that our talents be recognized.”
In the previous round, Vox was one of the judges' "saves" from being eliminated. But in Sunday night's show, the viewers were in charge of the competition and the San Antonio-native apparently didn't inspire enough votes to advance to the next round.
I'm not an expert on drag but I do think I know talent, which Vox has served up in large portions.
I'm hoping this journey on AI helps propel the queen to a fabulous next chapter.
Disappointed but not shocked that Ada Vox was eliminated from Idol. If we weren’t ready for a woman president, there was absolutely no way we were getting a drag queen Idol.
WTH American Idol! I’m pissed @AdaVox didn’t go through....The best singer on the show is gone now. Thanks America for ruining my show. Bring Ada Back!#adavox#AmericanIdol#bringadaback#vox
This is pure talent. @AdaVox was voted off American Idol because we’re living in a Trump society. If she was a little, white, blonde girl, America would love her. Someone give Ada Vox a record deal already!! She’ll sell out arenas!! pic.twitter.com/ZgTn5Xjy4u
There is still an out musician in the running to win the AI crown this year.
Jurnee Siani, an 18-year-old from Littleton, Colorado, has been open about her sexuality and her wife military veteran Ashley Weathers, since the beginning of the show.
Her performance of "How Far I'll Go" From Moana earned her a ticket into the top seven. It's worth noting that an out singer has never won the talent competition.
American Idol contestant Ada Vox heads to the Top 10
There was quite the dramatic moment last night on American Idol as Ada Vox, the drag persona of Adam Sanders, found herself without enough viewer votes to be automatically advanced to the Top 10.
So, the San Antonio native had to sing for her life. The judges were given the power to "save" four contestants from elimination and head into the top 10.
Choosing the apropos "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls, Ada wowed the judges yet again.
As an emotional Vox waited to learn her fate, Katy Perry quieted the crowd and said:
“I don’t know everything. I’ve got a lot to learn. But I have worked my butt off for over 10 years in the spotlight and these gentlemen on my side (pointing to Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan) – all of us collectively together – how many years would that be, maybe 60? Collectively? I think we do know talent when we see it. I would say that we would like to make an executive decision right now that Ada – you get that seat, baby.”
And with that Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan joined Perry in pointing to the area where the Top 10 contestants were sitting.
Later, Vox commented on the video page below expressing her thanks:
Hey, y'all!!! Firsrly, I wanted to start by saying that I love you all!!!
Secondly, I wanted to make note that I am aware of my much less than perfect vocal. Haha not only did my emotions run wild on me, but before the show, I had an allergic reaction to our lunch which made my tongue and throat swell up almost immediately. So that was fun... Lol. Thank you to everyone who did vote!!! If you want to see me continue on, make sure to vote next week! I promise it will be so much better!
America, we have our first American Idol drag contestant - Ms. Ada Vox.
While there was a huge amount of attention being paid to former FBI Director James Comey's interview on ABC last night, it should not be ignored that also on ABC, American Idol contestant Ada Vox delivered a scorching rendition of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good."
Ada Vox is the drag incarnation of Adam Sanders, who had previously auditioned for the reality talent show but been cut in early rounds.
Praising Ada's performance last night, judge Katy Perry declared, “You’ve heard of the expression ‘wig snatched’? Wig flew!"
Lionel Richie agreed with Perry tweeting later, "You are on another level!"
Folks, come to grips with the reality that a drag queen just might win American Idol — or at least wind up in the Top 2.
I cannot even begin to put you into any category @AdaVox, you are on another level! 📈#AmericanIdol
Last week I wrote about Ada Vox, the drag persona of Adam Sanders who competed in Season 12 of American Idol but didn't make the cut.
But as Ada Vox, she is back and tearing it up. A few years older and definitely wiser, she killed last night with her cover of Radiohead's "Creep."
It may have been the best performance of the season thus far. Check out how the audience shares the love.
After the performance, Sanders met with the judges without drag garb, saying, “I wanted to face you all as myself without the guard. I wanted you all to see who I truly was.”
Said Lionel Richie to Sanders: “I’m glad you showed up in your true form because I want to tell your true self that the dynamic duo will be going forward.”
I'd be stunned if Ada doesn't get into the Top 10.
What's really wonderful are the supportive comments on the YouTube page.
When Adam Sanders was 19-years-old he made the Top 50 of American Idol in Season 12.
Clearly, Top 50 means he was cut and had to head home.
But Sanders admits he "wasn't ready."
“After American Idol I started getting messages on social media every day, people attacked my weight, my sexuality…telling me that I was horrible, that I sucked, that I didn’t deserve to be here, that I shouldn’t be who I am. And I let it get to me in the wrong way. It killed me inside, almost as much as people telling me I should have killed myself.”
“I just kind of disappeared from the world for a while, and in doing that I kind of hurt myself even more. That’s really when I was at my worst, thinking maybe I shouldn’t be here. Maybe I’m not worth the fixing, maybe I’m not worth another try. But through all of the negativity I have managed to build myself up as a new person, as a stronger person. I have recreated myself in ways I could not have imagined.”
Sanders is a bit older and wiser now, and back for a second go-round on American Idol. And this time, he's Ada Vox - ready to show the world who he is.
There's a lot of story-telling in the clip below (because that's what American Idol does...) but get to the where Vox wows the judges with a bit of "House of the Rising Sun."
RuPaul's Drag Race might not be the only place a queen can make a name for herself on TV, ok...?
David Hernandez, American Idol season 7 alum, drops his new single and music video, "Beautiful."
In an exclusive interview with OUT, Hernandez says the theme of the track is to remind folks that they are beautiful just as they are. “If you’re missing a leg, you’re still beautiful. If you’re overweight, you’re still beautiful. If you are 75 years old, you’re still beautiful,” Hernandez says.
In 2008, Hernandez made it onto the reality competition series American Idol, landing in the top 12 before being eliminated. Rumors, however, quickly started circulating about the “real reason” Hernandez was sent home. Viewers bombarded Hernandez with comments about his past as a male stripper and soon questioned his sexuality, wondering if it influenced his exit from Idol.
Hernandez has said members of the show were fully aware of his past from the very beginning. But still, the media was relentless. “It was hard to go online and not read something negative about myself.”
People were more interested in rumors and scandals than the music.
Though Hernandez now believes he has the strength and self-confidence to handle a lot of backlash, his younger self did not, and the Idol drama took a toll on himself and his family.
“My dad still knew nothing about my sexuality or my profession. So when it’s plastered all over CNN that’s not how somebody really wants to go down.”
The song is imminently listenable - sexy tribal drum beat with tons of visual diversity lighting up the screen makes this a big, vocally bold anthem for celebrating all dimensions of ethnicity, sexuality, age and whatever flavor you can think of.
After 15 years of voting for their favorite singers, viewers of American Idol were asked by President Obama to take that same passion for participation to the ballot box this fall by registering to vote.
Acknowledging how AI "transformed television," Obama reminded the TV audience that the show - over 15 seasons - "reached new heights." And while admitting "not all of us can sing like Kelly Clarkson," when we vote "all our voices matter."
Back when American Idol was a huge juggernaut, the show introduced us to the very talented Katherine McPheein Season 5.
McPhee may have come in second (to Taylor Hicks!) but she's shown that living well is the best revenge :)
I remember when McPhee first sang "Over The Rainbow" on AI, and it was heartstoppingly gorgeous. I think she embellishes here, but clearly, she's still a talented vocalist.
Former ratings juggernaut American Idol will end it's 15 year run in the Spring of 2016, producers announced today.
At it's peak the singing competition drew over 30 million viewers a week, but in recent years has seen that drop to less than half of that with last season averaging about 11 million viewers. A big drop, sure; but still respectable.
According to USA Today, Idol contestants have sold more than 130 million track downloads, released 20 platinum albums and won 13 Grammy Awards.
Early winners and contestants of note included Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert and future Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.
But in recent years, the show has devolved in scope with a leaning for WGWGs (White Guys With Guitars), beginning in Season 7 with David Cook and continuing for four years — Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.
The record sales of American Idol winners has been uneven at best. While Clarkson and Underwood show long-lasting stamina over the years with multiple #1s on the Billboard charts, not all are so lucky.
The dubious honor of "Worst Debut Album by an American Idol Winner" goes to Season 9 champ Lee DeWyze, whose post-Idol album Live It Up managed to only reach #19 on the Billboard 200, and his 2013 follow-up fared far worst: Frames peaked at No. 116.
Still, the show has managed to gift it's contestants with opportunity previously denied the vast majority of wanna-be recording artists. While maybe not superstars all, with the exposure came at least better booking rates for touring and concert appearances. And in the end, most true artists would agree that it's better to at least "live the dream" and make some kind of living making music than pitching tar in the noon day sun.
American Idol did a lot for many. But now it's time to bow out gracefully.
