‘The Voice’ judge Adam Levine slams ‘Idol’ for not saying when contestants are gay
Adam Levine PHOTO: AP
“American Idol” has had its share of gay contestants over the years: R.J. Helton, Clay Aiken, Jim Verraros, Adam Lambert.
None officially “came out” until after the show was over and the show itself has never stated a person being gay in its back story packages. Lambert was out before “Idol” but never said so or would confirm anything while on the show. Was that his own choice or the producers? Lambert has always said it was his but there has always been suspicions otherwise.
“The Voice,” on the other hand, didn’t hide the fact some of its contestants were gay, including two finalists, Beverly McClellan and Vicci Martinez.
Judge Adam Levine told the Advocate he was befuddled by all this:
“What’s always p***ed me off about Idol is wanting to mask that, for that to go unspoken,” he tells the mag. “C’mon. You can’t be publicly gay? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break.”
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68 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
August 16th, 2011
10:05 am
I think we all probably remember the pictures of Adam that were released early in his Idol stint. They made Adam’s sexuality pretty clear. I’m going to choose to believe that it was Adam’s choice not to address the issue because he truly wanted to make it about the singing.
Or maybe, the issue wasn’t addressed by Idol because it was it shouldn’t have been an issue AT ALL.
Deirdre
August 16th, 2011
10:07 am
Can we please get an “edit function”? I would sound so much more coherent with an edit function.
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
10:23 am
Here, let’s try this Adam “toot my own horn” Levine, one change to the quote and:
“What’s always p***ed me off about Idol is wanting to mask ulcerative colitis, for that to go unspoken,” he tells the mag. “C’mon. You can’t publicly have ulcerative colitis? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break.”
There we go, as we now know Casey Abrams had ulcerative colitis, and in the prior year Crystal had medical issues. None of which were detailed by Idol. Is it a pattern of hiding gayness, or a pattern of something else? Until someone says that they were prevented from being open about it, Adam is just flapping his gums trying to milk some free publicity out of it.
Richie
August 16th, 2011
10:34 am
For Christs sake give me a freaking break! If you can sing you can sing. I could care less if you are gay straight black white it doesn’t matter. And Adam Levine needs to be locked in a closet with songs about Jane playing and remember how to write music. The new stuff is trash compared to that.
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
10:41 am
Just look at how Idol was able to hide Clay Aiken’s sexual orientation for 5 years! 5 years, behold the power of Idol.
Well, maybe that was Clay’s business and Clay’s decision. Either way let’s shame Idol because Adam “time to put on the big boy pants” Levine needed to throw a sissy fit.
Mercedes S.
August 16th, 2011
10:51 am
I’m not familiar with this Adam but he looks creepy, RoHo; why frighten us?
Woodpappy
August 16th, 2011
10:57 am
Adam Levine….crawl back in a hole somewhere.
Sam-A
August 16th, 2011
11:35 am
Mercedes: He’s lead singer for Maroon 5. I actually like several of their songs – like them better than most contemporary music at this time. He’s probably trying to prop his show up over Idol, but is at least trying to make it easier, I think, for our gay friends to live their lives openly without prejudice, or at least I hope that’s what he’s trying to do.
Harriett
August 16th, 2011
11:37 am
He simply cannot get over himself–on or off camera!!
Branch Loveless
August 16th, 2011
11:45 am
Adam Levine or Lambert?
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
12:15 pm
Sam, I hear that Maroon 5 is bigger than the Beatles.
Nutmeg
August 16th, 2011
12:34 pm
1) Adam Levine is hot. He can say whatever he wants, because he is hot.
2) Vicci and Beverly came in 3rd and 4th out of four. Just sayin’.
Sam-A
August 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
JT: You got ears in you butt??
Nutmeg
August 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
PS: Thanks for the picture of Adam, even if he looks a little smug. Smug Adam Levine > most other people’s best pictures. Because Adam is hot. And I hear he moves like Jagger.
Sam-A
August 16th, 2011
12:37 pm
Suggest the nearest otologist to clean those ears out! They do have doctors where you live, eh???
Branch Loveless
August 16th, 2011
12:39 pm
“Butt ears”…LOL!
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
12:49 pm
It’s what people say Sam. Bigger than the Beatles!
Deirdre
August 16th, 2011
1:08 pm
Back when Mr Atlanta was working for Q100, he was the go-fetch-it guy for most of the acts that Q100 was sponsering in town. He said the Maroon 5 band were the nicest bunch of guys you’d ever want to meet EXCEPT for Adam Levine. The blog won’t let me post what he said about him.
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
1:15 pm
Adam Levine is the next Paul McCartney.
andre Bazile
August 16th, 2011
1:20 pm
Enter your comments here
Deirdre
August 16th, 2011
1:21 pm
JT…you’ve got a little mean streak.
That’s one of the things I really like about you!
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
1:22 pm
Rickster
August 16th, 2011
1:37 pm
Hmmm… maybe Adam’s saying stuff like this to bash Idol & increase the viewership of his own show?
Nawwwww. nobody’d do something like that, would they?
Highlander
August 16th, 2011
2:00 pm
I really like Maroon 5 and Levine (although I would agree that their latest CD isn’t as good as the first – but you can say that about a lot of artists). And if you saw him as a coach (they really were doing a lot more coaching than judging once the competitors were set), you’d want AI to have him on the panel rather than anyone we have right now. He actually gave constructive criticism. …Gee, what a concept for a “judge”!
I’ll still stand by Lady Linny’s former pronouncement (from way-back in the time machine). Once the top 24 are chosen, the panel on Idol are merely commentators (or ‘Tators)!
Jill
August 16th, 2011
2:13 pm
That’s just stupid. Now we should announce people’s sexual orientation? Should we then announce if someone is straight?
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
2:22 pm
Highlander, I’m sure he’s great as a coach, but comparing anyone to the current AI judges is just not fair. A half empty box of Wheaties could provide better judging than the current American Idol judges.
‘The Voice’ judge Adam Levine slams ‘Idol’ for not saying when contestants are gay | American Idolizer
August 16th, 2011
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Rickster
August 16th, 2011
2:51 pm
Adam’s got a smirk. I don’t like smirks.
Rickster
August 16th, 2011
3:01 pm
And I don’t think he’s that good of a singer.
Rickster
August 16th, 2011
3:04 pm
Besides… is Adam saying that Idol should “out” contestants if they wish to keep their sexual preferences secret?
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
3:06 pm
But he gets to date a hot Russian model, so I guess it’s not so bad being Adam “boom boom” Levine.
Sam-A
August 16th, 2011
3:22 pm
JT: Just itchin’ for a bichin’, (sp on purpose) aren’t you!
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August 16th, 2011
3:29 pm
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Nutmeg
August 16th, 2011
3:35 pm
Come on, does anyone here NOT think that Idol and Adam Lambert chose not to point out that he’s gay because of middle-America perceptions? Sorry, but I think that’s a big ol’ giant pile of duh, and that’s what Levine is saying. I disagree with him, although I’m still glad for the pic. (I don’t normally like guys with short hair, but yum).
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
4:18 pm
“Idol and Adam Lambert”
I agree with the use of “and”.
Hey Nutmeg: would you say Adam Levine > Paul McCartney (in his prime)?
JTesla… dude… let it go
Harriett
August 16th, 2011
4:23 pm
JT, you are very naughty today!!
I think I will leave this good company for now.
Deirdre
August 16th, 2011
5:15 pm
I’m going to object to the “middle-America” stuff. The idea that “middle-America” stands for lack of enlightenment annoys the crap out of me. It’s the same as the totally false perception that the north has fewer racists than the south. Since I’ve lived in both places, I can assure you that is not even close to true.
If we were to say that Adam and Idol chose not to address Adam’s preference because it would expose him to a prejudice that exists throughout the country, then yes, I might agree with that. However, since Adam’s preference seemed remarkably clear, especially after the photo of Adam and another guy with their tongues down each others’ throats, I would be more apt to believe that Idol AND Adam decided it was a non-issue for the purposes of the show itself.
Deirdre
August 16th, 2011
5:21 pm
Adding to that(you knew I would) I would go on to wonder why The Voice seems to think that announcing the sexual preferences of its singers is a duty and wonder why they feel that way. Are they espousing some kind of activism? Are they staking a claim? Cuz I cannot really understand what a person’s sexual preference has to do with their ability to sing.
Rickster
August 16th, 2011
5:21 pm
Have a great evening, everybody. Time to head home to the top secret, undisclosed, well-armed, luxuriously appointed, highly secure by oh-so-comfy bunker.
Nutmeg
August 16th, 2011
5:33 pm
I’m more a fan of John than Paul, although that group was a little before my time.
Re: advertising sexuality… I think it can be relevant as much as any other backstory or support system. For instance, the guy on Cee-Lo’s team–Nakia, maybe?–had a partner who had supported and encouraged him. There’s nothing wrong with highlighting that.
Similarly, if someone struggled with bullying due to sexual orientation (all too common–most of my gay friends have hair-raising stories), then it might be just as relevant as overcoming cancer or somesuch.
I think we don’t always realize just how common it is that we announce someone’s sexuality: any time a partner is mentioned, any time what one finds attractive in a partner is mentioned… those aren’t abnormal types of questions on shows like The Voice and Idol, and (if I may use a little academese) our heteronormativity is invisible because it’s our “norm.”
Re: middle America–I’ll concede that it isn’t necessarily an accurate stereotype. I was thinking of Sarah Palin who talks about “real Americans,” as if people who live on the west coast or in the northeast aren’t “real Americans.” What I probably should say is “conservatives” (by definition–to be conservative is to want things to go back to the way they were or, at the least, not go further in the current direction). Social conservatives in particular do not want to make an Idol of anyone who’s gay, and they certainly don’t want them to be a far-reaching Voice, either.
Nutmeg
August 16th, 2011
5:35 pm
To put it another way: if Kris’s wife is relevant, then Idol has “told” us that he’s heterosexual. If Crystal Bowersox talks about her boyfriend/husband, then we’ve been “told” she’s hetero. If gossip columns talk about (and Idol did too) Casey and Haley–are they together?–then they’re talking about their sexuality. Pia’s dating made the news… Paul’s engagement… the public seems to actually care about the sexuality of these folks.
Deirdre
August 16th, 2011
6:03 pm
I agree with what you’re saying about the apparent relevance of heterosexuality within these shows. Certainly we see wives, husbands, significant others all the time on Idol and that does indeed speak to their sexual preference and I agree, if a singer is ok with it, that his or her partner should be part of the whole backstory. I’m not a fan of backstories for any of the singers but I understand why they exist.
I’m a little worried about your definition of a conservative, however. I think labeling people and then assuming we know how they feel based on the label is dangerous and destructive.
Ex. My son worked in Hollywood for 3 years and could not divulge his political beliefs(which are conservative despite the fact that he believes that gays should be allowed to marry and pot should be legalized)for fear that the extreme prejudice that exists among liberals toward conservatives would get him fired.
There are all kinds of conservatives just as there are all kinds of liberals.
Nutmeg
August 16th, 2011
7:25 pm
Deirdre–I’m trying not to be perjorative, but the definition of the word “conservative” literally means (with apologies to dictionary.com) “disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.” I’m trying to be neutral and point out that by definition, conservative means “doesn’t want change.” I think that’s fair to say (conservatives who want change now want to restore what was the norm or at least what they believe was the norm). Conservative can also mean “cautiously moderate or purposefully low: a conservative estimate.” The former is a better definition for social conservatives while the latter is a better definition for fiscal conservatives.
So I mean that social conservatives, the people under discussion now, are people who by definition think homosexuality is aberrant behavior. Sounds like your son is a fiscal conservative but not a social conservative.
As a political aside, I prefer the term “progressive” to “liberal” because I think it puts the distinction between the two sides clearly: conservatives look to preserve the best parts of the past, while progressives think change is inevitable and necessary.
Just to work this back to Idol, I do think that Idol appeals to social conservatives. Remember when they sang “Shout to the Lord”? And how many contestants have been church musicians? Quite a few, including Kris Allen, although Danny got the “Christian storyline” that year. Kris was also a church worship leader, though that was weirdly never mentioned.
Last year’s Sing Off irritated me–the group Committed, for instance, was touted as “the Christian group” despite the fact that many other groups were made up of Christians who sang frequently in churches. Noteworthy from the year before was made up of Mormons, but that got scarcely a mention!
JTesla
August 16th, 2011
8:27 pm
Deirdre, another problem, one that makes applying a label easier, is that it appears to be more common now to believe in a whole package of beliefs than to be able to believe in only parts. It’s not just common, in recent years it is expected to toe an ideological line. McCain and Romney have encountered the problem with this strict adherence to dogma as has Obama.
The political scientist in me sees the technical merits of Nutmeg’s definitions, but there are a large number of people out there that identify themselves as conservative because they are simply mimicking beliefs that they in essence heard through mass media. I’ve engaged in debate with people who only know talking points and deny facts, simply because they either don’t know or don’t care.
With that in mind, it is far easier to know what a conservative believes in now than what one may have believed 12 years ago. Is that stereotype always accurate? Heck no, but it is far more accurate than it used to be.
How does that work out for Idol: make the show sanitary and acceptable for the conservative masses. This needs to be done because if you upset them you will be lambasted, while the more liberal viewers will not mind, but also won’t come to your defense. In essence appealing to the middle is more of an effort to not upset either side.
Mo Schreibman
August 16th, 2011
8:39 pm
As for someone else’s preferences in their personal relations with others including their spouses or or someone they love, the method, the place, the time, the frequency, the duration, the number of times in a sitting, the gender of the participants, the number of participants, or how much they had to pay is of no interest to me and maybe less than that even. Just ask my wife if you do not believe me.
Harm
August 16th, 2011
9:20 pm
You go MO!!!
Nutmeg
August 17th, 2011
12:27 am
Mo, I haven’t heard ANY talent show detail the method, place, time, frequency, duration, number of times in a sitting, genders of participants, numbers of participants, or requisite fees involved in the sexuality of any contestant. And certainly “Adam Lambert is gay” doesn’t fall into that category, either.
Highlander
August 17th, 2011
7:22 am
I’ve tried to post a comment twice now. NO profanity (real or censor imagined), and it’s gone into cyberspace somewhere.
I’m getting pretty fed up with the restrictions and glitches on AJC!
Deirdre
August 17th, 2011
7:34 am
Morning!
Oh Wow! I should have stayed on the blog last night instead of watching AGT. Way more interesting.
Returning to the original topic….my objections to the implication that “middle America” is a stronghold for the unenlightened…..which, to me, seems to also imply that the east and west coast symbolize learned thought free from stereotyping….LOL!
What disturbs me more than anything is what JT hit on. That is the great divide and I’m not talking about the Rockies. Politicians and the media have created warfare between differing philosophies. Not only do many conservatives not know what is really happening in this country, many liberals do not either. The koolaid drinking is getting out of hand. We have been pitted against each other like Michael Vick’s dogs.
We even see it on Idol, especially when a favorite is eliminated too soon. The anger, the venom is nearly epic…..over a singer….who probably wasn’t even close to good enough to produce that kind of reaction.
This is why I object to labels, accurate or not. Social warfare, which is now being constructed into class warfare. What’s next and what are we going to do about it?
Deirdre
August 17th, 2011
7:50 am
Getting back to Idol…for real…honest! Savannah will be hosting the Idol judges this week while they pick yellow ticket winners from the group of singers who auditioned in Charleston.
Mercedes S.
August 17th, 2011
8:45 am
Morning!
Movie quote for Sam-A to identify: “I live, I love, I slay. I’m content.”
Sam-A
August 17th, 2011
9:45 am
Is that from the preview of that dreadful looking “Conan” movie? That dude is so absolutely unattractive and freaky looking – yet on E News and the other shows, in person he’s not totally hideous!
Sam-A
August 17th, 2011
9:45 am
Though not sure the “content” is said by “Conan”.
Deirdre
August 17th, 2011
9:48 am
Sam, did you watch Game of Thrones at all? He plays Khal Drogo, another barbarian-esque character who is simultaneously frightening and very attractive.
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
August 17th, 2011
9:54 am
Hi y’all,
I’d have more to say, but Nutmeg pretty much covered what I would’ve said.
The only other thing I’d add is Rodney just really hit the better known ones, but there’s been quite a few more gay contestants. The thing is, while we can blame Idol for “hiding” this, it’s also the fact that the contestants are mostly young kids who might not be comfortable and desire to be “out.” Compare that to the contestants on The Voice, Beverly and Nakia were older. Even Vicci is in her mid/late 20s and she’s been performing at “gay” events for years. So, while I see Adam L’s point and hope he means well, it’s not entirely a fair comparison. Also, I don’t think boyfriends are really that promoted really. The point of Idol is (well, was) to make the contestants as appealing to the fans as possible by making them seem available. It’s the old “boy band/pop star” mentality.
But clearly, I still believe that if the contestant is in a serious relationship and wants to be open about it, regardless of how that might affect their chances, I hope they are allowed to be open about it.
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
August 17th, 2011
9:55 am
Btw, Mercedes, not Sam-a, but is that quote from Buffy?
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
August 17th, 2011
9:57 am
Oh, and the guy who played Khal Drogo and Conan would be Jason Momoa. Who got his start on Baywatch and is engaged (?) to Lisa Bonet
Sam-A
August 17th, 2011
9:59 am
I don’t have HBO. He’s certainly more attractive in reality than apparently in the “Conan” movie, but he’s got that neanderthal kind of forehead with the big bone over the eyes that’s too “unrefined” (for lack of a better word) for my taste in looks. Though not always, I seem to prefer more delicate features, ala Paul, for my men. Cary Grant, Robert Redford, Greg Peck, Paul Newman (well he did have a funky nose but WOW), David Duchovny, Jim Sturgess, Keanu Reeves, Richard Gere, Colin Firth, the blond guy that was on “The OC” and now in the cop series on Turner – all very yummy!
Mercedes S.
August 17th, 2011
10:04 am
Jason Momoa… so true, D. simultaneously frightening and very attractive… Not much for talking, in either “Thrones” or “Conan”, but when you look like that, there’s no need for dialogue.
kcf, would have been a good quote from Buffy also, but I never saw that show.
Deirdre
August 17th, 2011
10:04 am
Thanks for the name k&cf…I knew I could count on you! He’s engaged to Lisa Bonet?????
About the difference between Voice contestants and Idol contestants, I said the same thing earlier but not as well.
Sam-A
August 17th, 2011
10:06 am
I think he’s actually married to Lisa B – they have a kid that’s several years old. Saw them on one of the entertainment shows last week.
Nigel Lythgoe responds to Adam Levine’s critiques about openly gay contestants | American Idol
August 17th, 2011
10:11 am
[...] Lythgoe responded to Entertainment Weekly to Adam Levine’s critique of “American Idol” not ever noting whether a contestant is gay or not. You probably saw NBC’s The Voice judge Adam [...]
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
August 17th, 2011
10:16 am
Sam-A, The OC guy is Benjamin Mackenzie.
Mercedes, just kidding. But there was a Buffy movie with Kristi Swanson before the show.
D, well, I do what I can. And I’m not sure if Jason and Lisa are married or not. They might be by now.
Sam-A
August 17th, 2011
10:28 am
Loved Ben M in OC, but his hair’s way to short for me in the cop show. Not a fan of very short hair.
Sam-A
August 17th, 2011
10:43 am
new post up
Nigel Lythgoe responds to Adam Levine’s critiques about openly gay contestants | Idol Fantasies!
August 17th, 2011
11:30 am
[...] Lythgoe responded to Entertainment Weekly to Adam Levine’s critique of “American Idol” not ever noting whether a contestant is gay or not. You probably saw NBC’s The Voice judge Adam [...]
Nigel Lythgoe responds to Adam Levine’s critiques about openly gay contestants | American Idolizer
August 17th, 2011
1:27 pm
[...] Lythgoe responded to Entertainment Weekly to Adam Levine’s critique of “American Idol” not ever noting whether a contestant is gay or not. You probably saw NBC’s The Voice judge Adam [...]
Susan Calhoun
August 18th, 2011
10:39 am
I have a question. How many of the contestants admitted that they where Christians during the show or had any other believes? Let see how many didn’t admit it until they started to record songs on albums or when they were off the show there is Carrie Underwood, Jason Castro, Kris Allen & Chris Sligh that I know of. Being Gay is also a lifestyle belief. Either you belief homosexuality is a wrong way to live or you think its the right way to live. Scotty McCreery was the only contestant that people knew was religions on the show. People knew he had is strong believes. I think its more of the contestants not sharing. Film makers believe conflict makes good entertainment & rather someone should become public about their homosexuality has been a debatable conflict for years so why would producers hide it?