Is America Ready for a Gay "Idol"?

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Despite the swirling media attention surrounding Adam Lambert’s sexual orientation, the U.S. voting public decided last Wednesday that the 27-year-old California native will be allowed a chance this Wednesday to claim America’s most enviable pop culture title: "American Idol".

The question, of course, is whether or not he can do it, especially as he’s matched up against the much more conventional – and presumably heterosexual – Kris Allen.

In recent weeks, everyone from conservative pundit Bill O’Reilly to the New York Times have found Adam’s not-so-ambiguous sexuality an issue worth debate and conjecture. But what’s most intriguing about much of the public and press attitude is their willingness to nonetheless champion and advance the camp star so deep into what has traditionally been one of TV’s more conventional institutions – an institution hugely popular in Middle America.

Undeniably, Adam’s appeal signals a shift in conventional viewer attitudes. American Idol is not an edgy cable show appealing largely to urban parts of America. In the past, flamboyant contestants have been dismissed in the early stages of the show for being too theatrical, which some have interpreted as coded hostility toward homosexuality.

Indeed, the show has long been accused of forcing some contestants to remain closeted by urging them to remove personal information about themselves from online as well as avoiding discussion of their private lives, a charge Idol producers deny.

But strangely, 2009 saw the judges and producers instead exploit Lambert’s ‘theatrical’ roots, allowing him to sport decadent outfits, androgynous makeup and grand production values, such as the epic staircase entrance of Rat Pack week. Past contestants such as Clay Aiken, Jim Verraros and Mario Vazquez were not so lucky, often having to mellow out their solos in fear that the judges might whip out their oft used ‘too Broadway’ criticism.

Adam Lambert's staircase descent for "Feeling Good"

Why the change? The fledgling Idol franchise has seen a decline in buzz and ratings in recent years. Perhaps Adam’s glitzy performances, coupled with the speculation surrounding his sexuality, were publicity-generating opportunities the producers were happy to go with, as it kept the public – and just as importantly – the media, talking about the show.