Adam Lambert: Censorship on His AMAs Performance Equal to 'Discrimination'

Mon, 23 November 2009 21:40:22 ET

Commenting on his provocative performance at 2009 American Music Awards, the runner-up of 'American Idol' season 8 insists he doesn't perform anything different from female performers usually do.

Adam Lambert's sexually provocative performance at 2009 American Music Awards on Sunday, November 22 has drawn lots of complaints. However, if ABC cuts certain part of his performance for the rebroadcast, he claimed it will amount to "discrimination".

"It's a shame because I think that there's a double standard going on in the entertainment community right now," he told Rolling Stone backstage after the show. "In a roundabout way it's a form of discrimination because it is a double standard."

The runner-up of "American Idol" season 8, moreover, insisted that he didn't try to do anything different from what female performers usually do on television. "Female performers have been doing this for years - pushing the envelope about sexuality - and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out," he went on.

"We're in 2009; it's time to take risks, be a little more brave, time to open people's eyes and if it offends them, then maybe I'm not for them," Lambert explained further. "My goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom."

The 27-year-old later recalled the moment when Madonna and Britney Spears kissed during their performances at 2003 Video Music Awards. "They didn't censor Britney and Madonna macking onstage did they? But yet two men kissing they'll censor?" the "Time for Miracles" hitmaker protested.

During his performance of "For Your Entertainment" at the 37th Annual American Music Awards, Adam Lambert was seen making out with his keyboardist, whom he described as a straight male. He was also spotted simulating oral sex with a male backing dancer. His performance has generated about 1,500 complaints from viewers who watched the show from their homes. Additionally, ABC reportedly has cut away the oral sex part for the rebroadcast.

Of the man-on-man kiss itself, Adam said it was "in the moment" and not planned before. "Part of what I love about being a live performer is that sometimes you just are in the moment and sometimes things just happen," he told CNN.

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