Adam Lambert and 'Out' editor in a war of words

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert is featured on the cover of 'Out' magazine, but according to the magazine's editor and a reporter, the singer's management is still very cautious in terms of the level of 'gayness' Lambert is allowed to portray. While the publication awarded Lambert as Breakout Honoree of the Year, the award wasn't without some scathing remarks in a letter from the editor, who apparently has a problem with Lambert's management team.

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert graces the cover of Out magazine this month which features him as the Out 100' Breakout Honoree of the Year. However, the magazine also features a letter from editor-in-chief, Aaron Hicklin, in which he calls out Lambert, his record label and management. The singer recently took to his Twitter page with his own fighting words.

We're curious whether you know that we made cover offers for you before American Idol was even halfway through its run. Apparently, Out was too gay, even for you. There was the issue of what it would do to your record sales, we were told,' Hicklin wrote. Imagine! A gay musician on the cover of a gay magazine. What might the parents think! It's only because this cover is a group shot that includes a straight woman that your team would allow you to be photographed at all.'

The journalist who interviewed Lambert, Shana Naomi Krockmal, also wrote an open letter to him. I briefly met Adam, and then the publicist and I walked out to the balcony, at which point I was cautioned against making the interview 'too gay,' or, 'you know, gay-gay.''

Krockmal went on to point out that Adam is an openly gay man and that in addition to being able to sing his face off (his words), he is defiantly, outrageously campy and queer'and that he seems to have such a sense of humor about it, and a willingness to shake things up.'

Apparently not. Lambert took to his Twitter page today to respond saying, Dear Aaron, it's def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine... Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications' agenda onto my career.'

[From RadarOnline]

I could be wrong, but there hasn't been a whole lot of mystery surrounding Adam Lambert's sexual orientation since his very first appearance on 'American Idol.' It's also no big secret that the 19 Entertainment management team has a reputation for being extremely controlling of its young talent - it's the reason Kelly Clarkson sued them to get out of her contract years ago. But it's strange that the editor of a gay publication would ask to feature Lambert on its cover, give him an award, and then lambaste him in a lengthy op-ed for not being 'gay' enough. (Huffington Post's Joe Vogel, a gay man, wrote a very sarcastic response to the editor today.) I'm trying to think of another openly gay male mainstream performer who has been as candid with the public about his sexuality as Adam, but no one comes to mind.

Adam Lambert is shown filming a video in LA on 11/15/09. The other people are featured in the video. Credit: Fame Pictures