Adam Lambert Talks Growing Up Gay In VH1 ‘Behind The Music’ Preview

Robbie Daw | August 4, 2011 8:57 am

It’s hard to believe that handsome Grammy nominee Adam Lambert, one of the most magnetic performers to emerge from American Idol in the past decade, was once heavily racked by insecurity. But that’s just what the preview of the “Whataya Want From Me” crooner’s upcoming VH1 Behind The Music special (which airs this Sunday, August 7) conveys while focusing on the Glam One’s teenage struggle with his sexuality. Watch below. Says Lambert in the Behind The Music clip:

“I think when I was about sixth grade, that’s when I realized that I was probably not the same as the other boys. And, you know, it was a weird discovery and, of course, I was kind of in denial for a while and it was all in my head… That’s one of the things that’s so hard about being a young person and realizing you’re gay or bi or whatever–we’re not told that that’s okay.”

Home movie footage and photos are shown of Adam hanging out with his fellow female students and taking a girl to the prom, while the singer discusses his attempts to assimilate to a “straight” lifestyle in his teen years.

And, sure, it might seem trite or done-to-death for the Season 8 Idol runner-up to discuss the trials and tribulations of being closeted as a teen. But let us just jump up on a soapbox for a brief moment to remind everyone that this is a struggle for millions of kids on a daily basis. And to hear someone like Adam Lambert relay his own coming-of-age story in this manner lets those individuals know that things can, indeed, turn out alright. (In addition to being a successful recording artist, Lambert is in a seemingly happy, committed relationship.)

So bravo, Adam. We know you’re probably tired of telling the story. But we guarantee that there are many out there who are always eager to listen.