www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=529485&type=Sunday&page=1
For 'Chinese Idol' fans' entertainmentBy Li Anlan | 2013-4-28
ADAM Lambert visited Shanghai this week as an ambassador for the upcoming Dragon TV reality show "Chinese Idol," the Chinese version of singing competition "American Idol."
This follows his concert at the city's Mercedes Benz Arena in March.
Lambert, 31, was runner-up in the eighth season of American Idol, kicking off a hugely successful career that has produced two albums, "For Your Entertainment" in 2009 and "Trespassing" in 2012.
Last year, Lambert also made an appearance at the season finale of Chinese version of "The Voice."
Q: What kind of surprise will you bring to audiences of "Chinese Idol?"
A: I think I'm gonna show up, and they don't know I'm coming, so hopefully it'll be a surprise - if they know who I am! (laughs) I think it'll be fun. I'm really looking forward to meeting the contestants, feeling the good energy and hopefully providing inspiration for their auditions.
Q: You sang Tears For Fears' "Mad World" at the opening ceremony of "Chinese Idol." You also performed it during your "American Idol" journey. Does this song have special meaning for you?
A: It definitely has. It has beautiful lyrics, about feeling like you don't fit in, feeling like an outsider and being a little sad about it. All the songs I picked when I was on American Idol meant something to me, and this song in particular was a big favorite of the audiences and judges.
Being an entertainer is always an interesting balance; doing something I want to do, but if it makes the audience really happy, then I'm going to do it even more. Make them happy, make me happy, and we're all happy!
Q: Do you have any suggestions to Chinese contestants about what songs to pick?
A: I think it's really important to find songs you connect with emotionally, something that you feel. Also, I think it's important to find a song that will make you stand apart. Find something - a style or certain type of song or by certain artists - that will make the audience understand what kind of artist you could be.
Q: Do you watch any singing competitions now, like "American Idol" or "The Voice?"
A: Yeah, definitely. This season I haven't been watching so many because I've been traveling so much. My plan when I leave tonight (April 23) to go back to Los Angeles and watch all of it when I get home.
Q: It's been four years since you were on American Idol, and you are always introduced as the "runner-up of American Idol." Does it bother you that you have to carry that title all the time?
A: No. I mean, that's how people remember me.
Q: We've all seen your glamorous side on "American Idol," but off-stage, what's your life like?
A: When I'm not working, I like to hang out with my friends, go to dinner, maybe see a movie. I'm like a normal guy.
Q: What was your life like on the "American Idol" show?
A: We worked a lot; there wasn't a lot of free time. One day you're working on the song you were gonna sing that week; next day you're doing a commercial for the show; or a photo shoot or interviews. Every day, you were working.
Q: Did you have tough times?
A: I think myself and the other contestants were stressed out over whether we'd picked the right song, and how should we sing it. You end up thinking a lot. The biggest challenge is to trust your instincts and say, "This is the song I'm picking. I need stop worrying about it, just commit to singing this song, singing it well and singing with my heart."
Q: Did you ever worry about people not getting your music?
A: If I spent all my time worrying about it, I wouldn't be doing the job I'm doing. Of course I think about everything, but being an artist isn't always about being concerned all the time. You have to make a choice that you believe in, and if the audience like it, then great. Of course as a pop musician you want to appeal to people. It's balancing it.
Q: What about critics' opinions?
A: I'm really happy that the critics liked my last album "Trespassing." I was really relieved and honored because I worked hard on the album and didn't know what people would say. Overall, it got better critical review than the first album, and I was happy about that.
RT @14gelly: She deleted this tweet pic.twitter.com/1UpkC93X5O
RT @14gelly: She deleted this tweet pic.twitter.com/1UpkC93X5O
