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.’

By Allegra Huston

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

12404 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I second the motion. I’ve been wondering about this issue too, and our uber-researcher GBA is just the girl to get to the bottom of this.

By Niamh Cat on 10/02/2009 10:04 pm

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That is so funny. I love the creativity that goes into making youtube videos - especially ADAM’s!!

By Kiwi Sister on 10/02/2009 9:17 pm

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Fainting happens when your brain does not get enough oxygen. You lose consciousness, or "pass out," for a brief time (usually just a few seconds or minutes). Fainting can happen when:

You stand up too fast.

You work or play hard, especially if it’s very hot.

You begin to breathe too fast (called hyperventilating).

Any of the above caused sensual overstimulation.

Great video, Cleo.

Thank you. Luv, Priscilla.

By Priscilla Queen of the Desert on 10/03/2009 6:30 pm

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Cleo - This is the best I’ve ever seen!!! Holy smokes, pass the cigarette and brandy - wait they’re combustible - get out the fire hose. I need to watch it again, bye gotta go……….

no wonder you didn’t return my call

By xena princess warrior on 10/03/2009 10:50 pm

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I’ve been thinking (A LOT) about ADAM’s upcoming album. I absolutely can’t wait!!!

If we’ve decided that ADAM is not the new Elvis, or the new Michael etc, but the first ADAM, I think we need to have confidence that his music will be the same. I know that EKA and I have discussed the fact that we hope he goes down the Kings of Leon/Radiohead/Muse path rather than the Katie Parry/Lady Gaga/Madonna path. But, I don’t think we need to be skeeeeeered do we. ADAM will be going down the ADAM path. It’s going to be all new, and IT’S GOING TO BE ALL GOOD!!! I just can’t wait, he IS the biggest tease ever!!

By Kiwi Sister on 10/02/2009 7:04 pm

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Hi Kiwi Sis,

Awfully quiet here tonight. I’ve been wondering about this, too, but I think that if we like what he has done so far, we’ll like what he does in the future. He’ll always strive to put out music that is fresh and new, and maybe he’ll take us down a road no one else has been down before. He’s working with some of the greats in the music industry. We’re in for a treat.

I wonder how true the rumour is that Adam will open for Lady Gaga?

http://www.adamistherealidol.com/2009/10/adam-lambert-to-open-for-lady-gaga-in.html

But…why does he have to open for anyone? He could pack an arena now with his fans, I’m sure. But it definitely would increase his exposure opening for Lady Gaga.

By Northern Spirit on 10/02/2009 8:34 pm

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Yes, it is VERY quiet here. Come on guys, I’m ready to party!!

If ADAM is opening for Lady Gaga, that will be a dream come true for her!!! It’ll be like we were joking about awhile ago: "Who was that, that was playing at the concert with ADAM???"

By Kiwi Sister on 10/02/2009 9:09 pm

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Christine,

A few days ago I watched Madonna on David Letterman, and all I could think about was ‘she got to meet Adam!’ Now, I’m sure she (and he) felt that the honor was all his, but of course I don’t. She was lucky, and didn’t even know it.

Madonna reminds me of the Medicis.

By Isabel R. on 10/03/2009 10:19 am

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Opening for Lady Gaga ? Hmmm … Kanye West was supposed to be touring with her, but we know what happened to him … and he did say he needs some time off.

You’re right, why does he have to open for anyone, but think of this, right now a big chunk of his fan base is …. and I say this kindly … us old ladies, we don’t want him to get stuck with any label .. I’m sure he won’t, and his talent is so huge there is room for ALL ages, but SHE would certainly bring in the young demographic … and convince everyone of what we lucky minions are lucky enough to already know. It will be very interesting to see who he goes out with … or rather who goes out with him, because God knows they take a risk of being totally overshadowed by him, right ?

Double bill with Muse ? Perfect ! Or Katy Perry … Lots to look forward to.

By EKA - on 10/02/2009 11:45 pm

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Sister, I so agree ! I’m biding my time listening to the new Barbra Streisand album which I think is an instant classic … beautiful standards ( including DH’s favorite song "Spring can really hang you up the most" ), beautiful arrangements and a voice that is as perfect as ever … in fact, it makes me think of Adam ( what else is new these days ;-) because of its range & clarity.

So I was talking to my Boston son yesterday and and just mentioned "Have you ever heard of the band Muse ?" " Yeah, I love them, I’ve seen them several times, 3 British guys. How do you know them ? " "You’ve seen them !!! OMG, then adding nonchalantly well, one of the songs Adam sang on tour was a Muse song so I downloaded the album and I love it " He says, " They’re awesome, kind of a Radiohead vibe, I really like the first album "

I think our wishes may come true… definitely ( have you noticed that that word is Adam’s favorite ?) Kings of Leon/Radiohead/Muse path …. but with a stage show to rival Perry/gaga/madonna ( feathers, leather, rhinestones) What do you think ?

I’m just waiting for this "Time for Miracles" song to drop, got to be any day now !!!!

By EKA - on 10/02/2009 8:47 pm

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Hi EKA, my son has seen Muse as well - one of his all time favourites. When I showed him ADAM’s version of Starlight, his comment was "Oh, he sings it too fast!" I think he’s having the same problem he has with David Bowie. He said to me once that he would have really like Davids Bowie’s music if I hadn’t been so into it!! Somehow it’s not very cool for an 18 year old hot blooded male to be into the same music as his 50 year old mother!!

Kings of Leon/Radiohead/Muse path …. but with a stage show to rival Perry/gaga/madonna ( feathers, leather, rhinestones)

Yes, I agree, with a little Freddy Mercury and A LOT of ADAM thrown in.

By Kiwi Sister on 10/02/2009 9:16 pm

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What if you tell him that 18 year old hot-blooded females love Adam and throw highly embellished thongs onto the stage and listen to his music with their mother and play it for others - that would be Xena II. You may have seen the photos?

By xena princess warrior on 10/03/2009 11:11 pm

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Hi Kiwi,

I agree with you!!

I liked Kings of Leon from the moment I heard Sex on Fire….Adam’s theme song when he enters the room :)

Both Radiohead and Muse are bands that I’d listened to before Adam. Starlight was my favorite song from Muse, so when Adam said he was going to sing it I was thrilled!! I like Adam’s version better….I think it has more feeling than the Muse version and of course a different tempo and with the hottest man alive singing it what could be better?

Karma Police is one of my favourite Radiohead songs. I love the sound and the vibe.

I’m not skeeeeerrred either. Adam is very smart and he has great taste. He knows what worked well and what didn’t so based what he knows, he’ll make the right decisions.

I can’t wait either………it’s taking tooooooooooo long :(

And seriously I’m suffering from withdrawal symptoms…..please hurry BB.

Hugs,

Cleo xoxo

By Cleopatra Queen of Egypt on 10/03/2009 6:59 am

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Cleo,

I am skeeeeeerrrred, and reserve the right to dislike his album, and to say so. However, since I love him so much, I think I will grow to love it, even if I don’t at first.

Heck, I didn’t really like the Kings of Leon album the first few times, and now I adore it.

By Isabel R. on 10/03/2009 10:23 am

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Isabel, if you say a single negative remark about Adam’s album, I will respond with something really long, with bad grammar, with nasty words that I look up in the dictionary - in French and in Latin - will quote Shakespearean curses and call upon the Furies to play in your computer so the only things it won’t do are play Adam’s music, play Adam videos, log onto wowowow or any other Adam fansite and erase all your downloaded photos.

I do have powerful friends in high places - Mount Olympus - and Zeus owes me a couple of favours.

I don’t think you will dislike his album at all and will love it. Wait, is this one of those superstitious things again? You must say something negative after saying something flattering? Jewish or Catholic guilt? You must have a reason or make a good comment about Adam’s forthcoming album, spit three times - puh, puh puh, then say "Mashalah" - this will ensure that the bad spirits do not invade the album and it will be perfect.

Hope this helps Isabel.

Love

Xena

By xena princess warrior on 10/03/2009 11:24 pm