Gene Simmons On Adam Lambert Coming Out: 'He's Killed His Career'

Access Hollywood - July 2, 2009 12:19 AM PDT
Story photo: Gene Simmons On Adam Lambert Coming Out: 'He's Killed His Career'Gene Simmons and Adam Lambert Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A little over a month after performing on stage with Adam Lambert during the "American Idol" Season 8 finale, KISS frontman Gene Simmons has claimed the runner-up put his career in jeopardy by announcing he was gay.

In a recent interview with AOL Television to promote the return of his A&E reality show "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," Gene said Adam's decision to come out has effectively stopped the handsome 20-something's career in its tracks.

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"He's enormously talented, best talent 'American Idol' has had, but I think he killed his career because now conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference," Gene said.

Shortly after "Idol" wrapped up, Adam came out in a cover story for Rolling Stone magazine -- although, by his own admission, Adam joked he was "never really in" the closet. But Gene believes some people won't be able to get past Adam's revelation about his sexual preference.

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"He's done. You're forcing people to deal with issues they may not be interested in. Life is unfair, and the masses don't all live in LA They live in Wisconsin and Nebraska, and you're on crack if you think the same rules apply there," the rocker added.

Gene added that Adam should stick to singing.

"My advice is still the same, shut the f*** up, just sing and let people say whatever they want," he said. "But I do wish him the best because he's got all the talent in the world. If only the world was not homophobic, but it is."

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In making his assertion, Gene noted he is supportive of the gay community.

"I would be the first one to vote for equal rights for gay women and men, and get the church and the state to stop telling everybody how to lead their lives," Gene said. "But do I think he's killed his career? Oh, in an instant. I hope I'm completely wrong. I hope he becomes the next Beatles and proves me wrong."

When contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for Adam was not immediately available for comment on Gene's statements.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: 'American Idols' Answer Fan Questions (June 2009)
PLAY IT NOW: AUDIO: Adam Lambert's Single - 'Want' (June 19, 2009)

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Gene Simmons - Adam Lambert - Music - American Idol - News

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comments 1-10 of 458  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Gary
    unfortunately, most people judge people for what they are and not who they are. It is true he is very talented but people do judge a book by its cover.
    report abuseposted January 7, 2010 10:09 PM PST
  • It is his personal life, it's PERSONAL. Think about his career. HE IS VERY TALENTED.
    report abuseposted September 23, 2009 2:14 AM PDT
  • t
    love him even he's gay. so what sowhat?
    report abuseposted August 10, 2009 10:06 AM PDT
  • Tina
    You guys that HATE adam keep downing him... way to reverse this. If you hate him, stop spending countless comments talking about it.
    report abuseposted August 5, 2009 1:40 AM PDT
  • Wind G
    Adam's personal life is his business. He is PHENOMENALLY talented and nothing - NOTHNG could ever take that away! I'm a woman of faith (Christian) and I absolutely love Adam! His personality, his character, and graciousness just only adds to his enormous talent. It's a shame that some people would label him because of his orientation. My str8t kids R not influenced eit
    report abuseposted July 30, 2009 6:19 AM PDT
  • ~Lisa Lopez~
    Gay, YUCK.
    report abuseposted July 27, 2009 2:16 PM PDT
  • mysti
    wow.. so... monsieur p. Do you hale from Salem Mass? I imagine you have branches in your tree from the original wood pile and have juicy dreams of burning witches. How very rude to call him a deviant. Do you not believe in science?? Have you not heard that there is actually something in ones DNA that determines if you are gay or not? seriously... get out more.
    report abuseposted July 27, 2009 2:28 AM PDT
  • lino
    to Lizzy r: aaaa.....no, never. but he's got talent, that i know.
    report abuseposted July 25, 2009 6:20 AM PDT
  • Eric
    so what if he's gay he was great singer/performer on american idol with kiss i enjoyed it
    report abuseposted July 22, 2009 6:01 PM PDT
  • La Vie
    Can't get any gayer than this! What kind of example to set for our children? So, he has talent, it doesn't mean that his "total gay aura" has to be advertised for the entire country! What a disgrace, to let a deviant like this, be exposed as a normal everyday human being! No wonder were so hated in other countries, look @ what we idolized?? Nothing, but a sinner,
    report abuseposted July 19, 2009 1:41 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 458  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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