American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has not “officially” come out to the public at large. Some critics say that he’s afraid to confirm his sexuality for fear of hurting his fledgling career, while others think that even though Adam has never said “I’m gay,” he certainly isn’t trying to keep it a secret. Even Kara DioGuardi doubts that Adam was ever actually in the closet. In his real life, sources say, the KISS-loving goth balladeer is very out and very proud. In fact, if you watched the show and saw a rather delicious-looking, dark-haired young man sitting with Adam’s parents, then you caught a glimpse of his boyfriend. Sources say the couple are getting serious.

Flamboyant Adam Lambert – the guyliner-wearing Goth who was heavily favored to win American Idol – has found love! Adam is making beautiful music with 24-year-old artist and interior designer Drake LaBry, say sources.

TV audiences and the entire entertainment world were stunned when super-talented 27-year-old singer was beaten by Arkansas native Kris Allen, 23, in the “Idol” finals – but Adam couldn’t be happier.

“He wants to settle down with Drake,” a show insider told the Enquirer. “Adam figures that if he had taken the top spot, it would have ultimately jeopardized his relationship with Drake.”

The San Diego singing sensation was introduced to Louisiana native Drake months ago by mutual friends, divulged the source.

“The two immediately fell in love. Adam was just not ready to come out publicly because he likes to keep his fans guessing about his sexual preference.”

[From The National Enquirer print version, June 8, 2009]

I don’t think anyone is still in the dark or “guessing” about Adam’s sexuality. But even so, it’s up to Adam whether or not he states, once and for all, that he’s gay. Maybe he thinks it shouldn’t be an issue and he’d rather have people focus on his talent. Anyway, Drake certainly hasn’t been in hiding – he’s been seen in the “Idol” studio audience each week, and according to the article, Adam introduces him as “my boy.”

Adam recently introduced Drake to his fellow contestants over dinner at an Olive Garden in Burbank, where he referred to Drake affectionately as “my boy,” revealed the source. He also brought Drake as his date to a recent “Idol” press party.

“Adam is hoping to bring Drake along when he goes on the nationwide tour with the other ‘Idol’ contestants,” said the source.

After the finale, Adam was asked point blank if he’d “like to put to rest all the speculation about your sexuality?”

But the show-stopping singer remained coy. “I like speculation,” he said. “I think it keeps things interesting.”

It’s a tough call. I’m not gay, so I have no idea what it’s like to constantly be questioned about it like Adam has. I think he’s handling it quite well- with a healthy dose of humor. But I do wonder if maybe the “Idol” producers have specifically told Adam that he isn’t allowed to come out. It did seem strange at the finale that Kris Allen’s wife was interviewed and prominently featured, but Ryan Seacrest went out of his way to avoid speaking to Drake, who was standing right next to Adam’s parents during an interview. Somehow, I can’t help but feel that if Adam did publicly reveal his sexuality, he might open some doors for young gay entertainers out there.

Update by Celebitchy: Sorry for not including pics of Drake! I put the photos up for MSat and was being lazy and forgetful on a Friday night. Here are some pics of the guy, thanks to VoteForTheWorst

Adam Lambert is shown on 5/26/09. Credit: Diane Cohen/Fame Pictures

Clay Aiken took the arrogant Billy Bob Thornton route in his half-assed apology for slamming the show that made him famous and criticizing American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert. In a post to his blog last week, Aiken said that Idol showed “blatant favoritism” and that the contest was “more about the slick productions and polished contestants than it has been about finding the raw talent that it did in its first three seasons.” He also sharply criticized Lambert’s ability, saying that while listening to him sing of “Ring of Fire” I “thought my ears would bleed.”

In Aiken’s follow-up post, instead of admitting he was typing faster than he could think, he proceeded to criticize people for paying attention to him and not to more important stuff like war. Aiken, that’s exactly what Billy Bob Thornton said, and he’s about to slip back into obscurity too. He also claimed his words were taken out of context when most of us cut and pasted his entire blog entry because it was password protected. The real issue is that no one was willing to read through all of Aiken’s whiny post.

Aiken didn’t apologize to American Idol, the show that helped him achieve whatever crappy career he has, but he did offer some sort of apology to Lambert. He said he wasn’t criticizing him as a person, but that Lambert shouldn’t really care about what he said about him anyway:

Aiken writes: “I’ll be the first to admit that my opinion is just that, only my opinion, but for as much as some of the bloggers seem to dislike me and care so little about my thoughts, they sure can waste a lot of their space on what I say! If only many of them took the time to pay attention to important things like the US economy and the welfare of the world’s children. But… nah… I could blog about that type of stuff anytime and most wouldn’t think twice, but let me say something that they can pick and choose quotes and misinterpret me… and it’s showtime! I never assumed my opinion mattered so much! I guess I may have been wrong.”

“That said, since my previous blog got dissected like a biology lab frog, i suppose I should clarify and even retract some of what I wrote. I am sure that some were upset by my choice of words describing my opinion of a performance I heard from Adam Lambert. I hope no one actually believed that blood truly poured forth from my ears when I heard him. I obviously meant it as a colorful statement to imply that I did not enjoy what I heard. Any performer hopes that their music will appeal to all people, but no singer realistically expects it to. God knows, I am SURE there are PLENTY of people who can’t stand to hear me sing either. I wouldn’t dream of assuming that, and I am sure that far worse things have been said about my performances than I would even venture to type here. To me, that’s fine. I don’t expect unanimous, nor even majority support for my music. But, my guess is Adam doesn’t either. I would not venture to make judgements [sic] on the personality or demeanor of anyone I don’t know, so none of what I said in my previous blog was directed as a ‘slam’ on Adam as a person. At the same time, I wouldn’t dream of slamming him as an entertainer. He does what he does, because he enjoys it, and he obviously has many fans who enjoy it as well. If what I said in my previous blog regarding my impression of a single performance from Adam upset or offended any of his fans, I expect that the mature ones will realize that it was simply a poorly worded metaphor describing my personal tastes. The only person I would really dream of apologizing to is Adam. And the irony is, if he’s smart he couldn’t give a crap what I think of his ‘Ring of Fire’ performance. As an entertainer, Adam knows that one person’s opinion of one performance really matters a little less than zero, in the grand scheme of things. He could not have gotten on Idol (nor made it as far as he did) without an immense amount of talent. He surely doesn’t need my approval to know he has a gift. At the same time, he realizes that amazing talent doesn’t always equal universal appeal. (I could NEVER have the amount of skill and talent that ballet dancers have! that’s talent! But, I don’t particularly enjoy it!) I am sure that I will have plenty of opportunities in the coming years to hear Adam sing. I imagine he’ll be around for years to come. But in the meantime, I definitely don’t want to stoop to the level of so many negative freaks on the internet… so, I do apologize to Adam for my colorful (and negative) choice of words. I hope he can forgive me. I imagine he doesn’t give a d—! God knows he shouldn’t.”

[From US Magazine]

That’s rich, “I definitely don’t want to stoop to the level of so many negative freaks on the internet… so, I do apologize to Adam for my colorful (and negative) choice of words.” Notice that he didn’t offer an unqualified apology and admitted that he’s apologizing because he doesn’t want to look bad. Aiken, you just proved that you’re a “negative freak” and by bad mouthing people for reporting what you said you’re only going to earn some more negative coverage. Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, and you can’t just dress it up in a sea of words and expect people not to notice.

Adam Lambert is shown at the American Idol final on 5/20/09. Clay Aiken is shown at the GLAAD media awards on 5/28/09. Credit: PRPhotos.com

Despite all the advance praise for rocker Adam Lambert, the winner of last night’s winner American Idol was Kris Allen in an upset. It may have boiled down to good kid Allen’s lack of controversy vs. Lambert’s edgy appearance and risk-taking song choices. Many were surprised by the final verdict, especially since the press and online buzz has heavily favored Lambert:

Kris Allen was crowned the “American Idol” Season 8 champ on Wednesday night (May 20), after nearly 100 million votes declared the 23-year-old Conway, Arkansas native the winner over runner-up Adam Lambert.

During the two hour-plus season finale, contestants were paired with veteran recording artists for duets. Allen broke out the guitar with Keith Urban to perform the country singer’s “Kiss a Girl;” third runner-up Danny Gokey and Lionel Richie did a medley of “Hello,” “Just Go,” and “All Night Long;” Cyndi Lauper teamed up with fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta on “Time After Time;” and Lambert joined the glam rock band KISS for a pyro-heavy take on “Detroit Rock City” and “I Wanna Rock and Roll All Nite.” All thirteen contestants provided the vocals for Carlos Santana on “Black Magic Woman” and “Smooth,” and Lambert and Allen performed “We Are the Champions” with the big surprise guest of the night, Queen.

Allen’s victory came as a surprise to “American Idol” followers, particularly those who frequent “American Idol” blogs and fansites. Between the two Season 8 finalists, Adam Lambert has topped Kris Allen in blog buzz by an average of about 51% since both singers made the Top 36 in Feburary, according to Nielsen BuzzMetrics. And while overall buzz for both has grown as the pool has narrowed, 16% more bloggers mentioned Adam Lambert instead of Kris Allen on May 19 after the final performances aired.

[From Billboard.com]

The NY Daily News notes that it may come down to red state/blue state type politics when it comes to who people vote for. Allen has appeal with more conservative call-in voters who could be turned away by Lambert. Simon Cowell told Radar Online earlier this week that he thought Kris Allen would take home the title and he was correct.

Does it really matter, though, who wins Idol? The winner gets a record contract but that doesn’t mean automatic success. Some of the most successful former contestants weren’t the winners while some of the past winners are floundering in their careers. Lambert is likely to go on to more success when you consider how much the press loves him. Allen’s future isn’t as certain, even though he got to sing the cheesy song at the end.

Thanks to OK! Magazine for these screenshots from last night’s show.