‘My intention is not to provoke’: Adam Lambert
The American singer-songwriter will be performing at Celebrate 2016, a New Year countdown bash at Marina Bay.
By Melissa Zhu
Posted 30 Dec 2015 13:43
PHOTOS
Adam Lambert speaking a media roundtable ahead of his performance at a New Year countdown bash in Singapore. (Photo: Sherlyn Goh)
SINGAPORE: Adam Lambert, addressing an online petition that spoke up against his "lewd" behaviour at public performances, said he is unfazed by critics who oppose his performances.
"I was actually flattered that people cared so much," said the former American Idol finalist at a press conference on Wednesday (Dec 30). He will perform at a New Year's Eve countdown bash on Thursday night.
Responding to questions about his past performances mentioned by the authors of the petition, Lambert said: "I'm not worried about the past. What's the point - it's in the past. I'm worried about the future."
His inclusion in the line-up for the event has stirred some controversy in Singapore.
In November, a “Petition against Adam Lambert performing in Countdown 2016” closed after it met its goal of 20,000 online signatories. The petition had described Lambert, who is known for his provocative performances, as “a performer fraught with controversy even in his home country”.
But others have been supportive. A counter-petition to keep Lambert on the show, accusing the original petition of “obvious sexual orientation discrimination", attracted more than 24,000 signatures. Lambert is openly gay.
The authors of the original petition later responded: "Unfortunately, our concerns to address the probability of lewd acts on a public platform have been downplayed and turned into yet another political LGBT rights issue.”
Weighing in on the controversy, Lambert said: "I try to stay focused on the thing that unites us, not the thing that divides us. Which is why I am focusing on my music. My intention is not to provoke but to reflect - to be honest, be real."
This was reflected in his New Year's resolution, which he said was to "keep moving forward, keep learning, and keep trying to create".
Celebrate 2016, which is organised by Mediacorp, will take place at The Float @ Marina Bay. Other than Lambert, local artistes such as Taufik Batisah, THELIONCITYBOY and Inch Chua will also be performing.
Lambert told audiences to expected "something special" for his segment in the countdown event.
Speaking to the host at the press conference, Mediacorp deejay Jean Danker, Lambert said: "We're going to do something special for Singapore, special for the television programme, special for the audience. I thought very, very hard and spent a lot of time to figure out which songs, and spoke to as many different people as possible. I think it will be something great."