A Friend Stopped By | 06/02/2009 11:00 pm
What Is It About Adam Lambert? by Allegra Huston
The author of Love Child reflects on the panty-throwing days of yesteryear … and on the latest inspiration for the flinging of undergarments from ‘American Idol.’
© Getty Images
Editor’s Note: Allegra Huston’s new book, Love Child: A Memoir of Family Lost and Found, hit bookstores in April and has received rave reviews from Melik Kaylan at Forbes, the Daily Telegraph and wOw’s own Liz Smith, among others. Allegra is the youngest daughter of film director John Huston and sister of Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston. She was born in London, raised in Ireland and Los Angeles, and now lives in Taos, NM. She was a publisher in London for nine years and has been a freelance writer and editor since 1994.
In the early ’80s, I moved to London and discovered that housewives were throwing their panties at Freddie Mercury. I found it baffling. Tom Jones I could understand, though I didn’t buy into it; but Freddie Mercury was so obviously gay. These 40-something women in polyester dresses and perma-set hair were making idiots of themselves on the BBC, as if they didn’t understand what gay was.
| I haven’t had a crush on a famous person since my yearning, aged 14, for John Travolta to rescue me from the mountaintop house ... |
Could they really not know? I was only 16, but I knew perfectly well – maybe it was because I came from Los Angeles. I’d gone to Frederick’s of Hollywood with my stepmother to buy pink ostrich-feather mules in a size 13 for her friend Philip, to assist in his transformation into Marcia Hardridge.
And now I’m in my 40s, and, if I were the panty-throwing type, I’d want to throw mine at Adam Lambert. What has happened to me?
I’ve never liked the front-combed hair-in-the-face look. I don’t know that I’d actually vote for the black nail polish. And I’m a bit worried that he’s got some ghastly secret piercings. To be honest, I’m not really sure I want to find out. But there’s something about him that keeps me — and half the women I know — replaying old "American Idol" episodes on DVR and gazing at photographs of his blue-penciled eyes. (Let’s not forget that Brando did eyeliner too.) Bravery, maybe — he hooked me with “Ring of Fire.” The damn-the-torpedoes flamboyance, the oh-my-god-what-did-I-just-do look when he finished. The intense self-discipline obvious behind the recklessness. And the sweetness. And the smile.
Frankly, I don’t mind whether he’s kissing a guy or a girl in that photo with the overcoat and scarf and purple hair held back by sunglasses; it’s a very sexy photograph. I wouldn’t want to print it out if he was kissing a girl. I’d be jealous of her. A guy, I can’t compete with.
I’m thinking it may be better to have a crush on a gay man. I haven’t had a crush on a famous person since my yearning, aged 14, for John Travolta to rescue me from the mountaintop house that, behind my grandmother’s back, we called Gloom Castle. I felt like an idiot then, and I’d feel like one now if I was mooning around over photos of Johnny Depp or Denzel Washington and wondering whether, if we were stuck in an elevator together, they just might be up for it. Of course, they’re more my age. I was at university listening to the original “Mad World” when Adam Lambert was born.
He’s utterly unattainable. So what am I thinking? This way, I can really laugh at myself. I’m not like those Freddie Mercury housewives; I know the score. This is not a sad obsession. I’m hoping it might be chic.
More From Allegra Huston:
"What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?" Seduce Adam Lambert, Obviously
Read more about: A Friend Stopped By, Adam Lambert, American Idol, Books, Denzel Washington, Entertainment, Freddie Mercury, Homosexuality, Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Relationships
- Dear Margo: When Dad/Gramps Just Ain't Interested
- Could Mammograms Fall Victim to Obamacare? by Liz Peek
- Liz Smith: Sharon Stone, Steve Tyrell, Sarah (You Know Who), Glamour, Lesley Gore – and More!
- LIZ SMITH FLASH! The Kennedy Conspiracy and the Mafia
- Remember shopping pre-Internet? What era/memory in the evolution of shopping do you think of most fondly?
- The Love Goddess: In Sickness and in Health ... But Hold the Sickness
- Let Down and Felt Up? by E.D. Hill
- Mr. wOw: Falling in Love Again With 'Marlene'
- The World in Vogue (Photos)
- Caption This!
- LIZ SMITH FLASH! The Kennedy Conspiracy and the Mafia
- Dear Margo: When Dad/Gramps Just Ain't Interested
- Liz Smith: Sharon Stone, Steve Tyrell, Sarah (You Know Who), Glamour, Lesley Gore – and More!
- Could Mammograms Fall Victim to Obamacare? by Liz Peek
- Remember shopping pre-Internet? What era/memory in the evolution of shopping do you think of most fondly?
- Mr. wOw: Falling in Love Again With 'Marlene'
- The Love Goddess: In Sickness and in Health ... But Hold the Sickness
- Caption This!
- Lily Tomlin Is Coming to NYC!
- Joan Ganz Cooney Still Shops the Way She Always Has
- Could Mammograms Fall Victim to Obamacare? by Liz Peek
- Dear Margo: When Dad/Gramps Just Ain't Interested
- Let Down and Felt Up? by E.D. Hill
- Caption This!
- Remember shopping pre-Internet? What era/memory in the evolution of shopping do you think of most fondly?
- LIZ SMITH FLASH! The Kennedy Conspiracy and the Mafia
- Mr. wOw: Falling in Love Again With 'Marlene'
- The Love Goddess: In Sickness and in Health ... But Hold the Sickness
- Liz Smith: Sharon Stone, Steve Tyrell, Sarah (You Know Who), Glamour, Lesley Gore – and More!
- The World in Vogue (Photos)
wOw Features
Reader Voices
Caption This!
Dear Margo: When Dad/Gramps Just Ain't Interested
12470 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
Some time back my daughter was talking about rap singers, with the "He’s so sexy, mom." So I listened and we talked some more and then I said, "Well, dear, you know, I think Keith Richards is sexy." To which my dear girl replied, loudly, "UGH!!!!" A few years later, talking to my daughter who was now a young woman, I asked her if she remembered that conversation and she did. So. Talking to an adult, I recounted an article that I had read that quoted Richards as saying, "There’s no garbage in my garbage can," with reference to the media that had (no pun intended) left no stone unturned in their coverage of his life. Which is why, I explained, I find him ‘sexy’ … because he’s ‘solid’, ‘likes himself,’ has his ‘feces’ together … which … from where I’m sitting, at this stage of the game, is very appealing, very ‘sexy’.
Which is why I find Adam Lambert ‘sexy’ … the guy seems to be having a blast, enjoying himself, enjoying others … and if indeed he is gay … well, I suspect that he’s the last one who is going to give a rat’s ass … not to ignore the eye candy aspect …
Sexy? Adam Lambert? You bet. Right up there with Keith (smile).
Some time back my daughter was talking about rap singers, with the "He’s so sexy, mom." So I listened and we talked some more and then I said, "Well, dear, you know, I think Keith Richards is sexy." To which my dear girl replied, loudly, "UGH!!!!" A few years later, talking to my daughter who was now a young woman, I asked her if she remembered that conversation and she did. So. Talking to an adult, I recounted an article that I had read that quoted Richards as saying, "There’s no garbage in my garbage can," with reference to the media that had (no pun intended) left no stone unturned in their coverage of his life. Which is why, I explained, I find him ‘sexy’ … because he’s ‘solid’, ‘likes himself,’ has his ‘feces’ together … which … from where I’m sitting, at this stage of the game, is very appealing, very ‘sexy’.
Which is why I find Adam Lambert ‘sexy’ … the guy seems to be having a blast, enjoying himself, enjoying others … and if indeed he is gay … well, I suspect that he’s the last one who is going to give a rat’s ass … not to ignore the eye candy aspect …
Sexy? Adam Lambert? You bet. Right up there with Keith (smile).
At a warehouse store today, the 40ish female checker kept pausing to stare at the cover of the celebrity magazine I’d picked up (because it had an American Idol story). Finally I asked her what she was so interested in. She pointed at the photo of Kris Allen (the focus of the story) and said in non-native English, "Kris. American Idol. Dark horse. Terrible, terrible. Adam should have won."
I’m amazed at how Adam appeals to so many different people. I’ve had the "Adam conversation" dozens of times now, often with complete strangers like that.
I’m another grown woman who finds him fascinating. I’m old enough to be his mother and, as my children now know oh so well, I’d be delighted to have him for a son. They probably wish their crazy mother upon him, to give them a break from the obsession.
Hi LG, would you please send me your email to xenaprincesswarrior@cogeco.ca
I am preparing a message of interest to all the Glambertinas.
Thanks
Xena
I’m a grandmother of five and I feel exactly the same. I’m sitting here at midnight googling AL hoping for some tidbit of information. This article is interesting and hits home for me. I don’t think I’ve ever been ga ga over anyone since I used to fantasize that Kookie on that TV show—can’t recall the name—was my boyfriend. I was all of 10 years old then and fantasized that I was a mermaid.
Adam has stirred an old flame in me that I barely recognize. But it is welcome! My husband, kids and grandkids think it is hilarious. I have ticket to the tour and am taking my granddaughter with me as a cover.
This young man has it! Whatever it is. Gay, straight, bi, who cares? Doesn’t matter? None of those issues will step on my fantasies. On top of it all—he’s so well spoken and well mannered. Who wouldn’t love to have him for a son? His Mom must be so proud.
You go Adam. I’ll be the old granny screaming up in the audience to your stage right!
I’m a 61 year old mother of 3 sons, all older than Adam, and I am totally with you ! I thought I was crazy and feel so much better reading about all the other women here. This is totally nuts ! All those teenage feelings have come back and I am enjoying the hell out of them. I am spending hours watching youTube videos of his performances at the Upright Cabaret…. probably why I missed this thread yesterday !!!
Why is is so many older women ? Because that part of our lives is over but we remember and it feels really good;-)
Ok, I feel saner now. I love everything about this man. Mostly his really positive attitude and his fresh approach to the media hype. He’s smart, savvy, adorable and oh my heavens, can he SING!! Memories of Robert Plant, Axl Rose, Jesus Christ Superstar and then "Ring of Fire". Wow!! I listen to everything he’s done at least once (or,2or3) a day. My kids love him, I love him and I’m a 43 year old lesbian!
It gives me hope that he is so well-loved, and so obviously out. It gives me hope for the rights of the rest of us who live our lives openly, honestly and with love. I love how he is with everyone he talks to. Check out the "Idolatry" videos with Michael Slezak on EW.com. Very nice and purely ADAM. Can’t wait for his CD
Alright … I’m going to say this … these posts, this particular site … is the reason why I keep coming back to Wowowow … fun, smart, women talking, listening to each other. Great stuff.
Thinking, of course, of that other site … pro-life/pro-choice feminism … and the discourse that melted down to mud slinging … once the knives got dull …
Feminism … respect for women … man to woman, woman to woman …
Let’s remember this site, these sweet funny postings … and, yes, Mr.Adam (smile) … when the knives begin to be pulled out.
Good night … me