A vocalist redefined what it means to perform under pressure when she took the American Idol stage in 2009. Adam Lambert did more than just sing when he sang a stunning version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”; he created an experience that left judges, including Simon Cowell, who is known for being difficult to please, in complete awe.
Amazing performances and a penchant for theatricality characterized Adam Lambert’s time on American Idol.
The Broadway actor, who was 26 at the time, recalled how judges Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi told him, “You’re theatrical,” during his audition for the show.
“I sensed that this was how it would end. “Oh, he’s too Broadway,” someone will say. Even though when I sing, I don’t feel like I am. The vocalist, who was a member of the Wicked cast before to participating in the singing competition show, stated, “I’m theatrical, but I don’t think that it’s necessarily musical theater.”
“I sang ‘Rock With You’ by Michael Jackson and they wanted to hear another one, so I sang ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ and that’s the one they ended up showing on TV,” he revealed in an interview with the LA Times in 2009.
A brave move
Furthermore, nothing could have prepared the audience for his performance of one of Cowell’s favorite songs, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
It was a brave move to take on such a well-known and vocally difficult song, particularly on a competition where competitors are sometimes criticized for taking chances.
However, the singer acknowledged that he is a “huge Queen fan” and was thrilled to honor Freddie Mercury, the equally theatrical former leader of Queen who passed away in 1991.
“Freddie is the best. The voice is him. Singing such type of music requires a very high level of musicianship alone. I like how melodic, rangy, and dramatic it is,” the 42-year-old singer remarked.
Lambert distinguished himself from his contemporaries right away by commanding the stage with an aura of confidence from the first notes.
Outstanding performance
Lambert began his rendition of the song with an a cappella that was eerily lovely. He moved fluidly through the song’s dramatic speed changes, captivating the judges, the crowd, and millions of spectators. It was a masterwork of performance art how he was able to include his own style while retaining the operatic flair of the song.
The notoriously critical Simon Cowell was clearly impressed. His response, which included big eyes and a rare smile, was quite telling. Cowell went on to call the performance “theatrical, original, and brilliant,” a trio of accolades that the judge rarely bestows.
The new king of the queen
Despite losing to singer Kris Allen at the end of the competition, Lambert’s talents on American Idol helped him land his career-defining partnership with Queen. Since taking over as the band’s frontman in 2011, Lambert has performed at sold-out venues across the globe, demonstrating that his transformation from Idol contestant to global superstar was no accident.
Strange. Everything is strange and full of circles. It’s exciting.What on earth is happening? I’m in shock,” he told the LA Times. “I feel like I’ve spent my entire life getting ready for this. Since I have a fatalistic outlook on life and believe that everything happens for a purpose, I do believe that this is what I should be doing. Everything that has happened to me thus far seems to have prepared me for this.
More than just a performance, Adam Lambert’s American Idol performance of Bohemian Rhapsody was a turning point in his career that demonstrated his extraordinary potential. It offered a fresh star who could give Queen’s music justice and served as a reminder to the world of its ageless force.
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