Adam Lambert is a Grammy-nominated singer, best known for performing to massive crowds with Queen, but he knows all too well what it feels like to be a singing hopeful trying to impress a panel of reality TV judges. The performer, who came to fame after finishing second on American Idol in 2009, knows the process can be an emotional rollercoaster. So when he was asked to be part of The Voice Australia, Lambert says he relished the chance to be a positive influence.
“I definitely get flashbacks to what it felt like when I was up there (on stage),” Lambert tells STM of the experience of filming the show’s 13th season with new coaches LeAnn Rimes and Kate Miller-Heidke and returning coach Guy Sebastian. “The format is a bit different to American Idol that I was on, but I love that we get to mentor people and put together a team. “I think that’s what drew me to this in the first place, the chance to get to help, give them some helpful criticism and encouragement .
. . it’s an exciting creative process.
” Lambert, 42, has toured with Queen for 10 years, singing in the place of the late Freddie Mercury (guitarist Brian May told People magazine he and drummer Roger Taylor thought the band would never play again, until Lambert “just appeared” — “The voice is extraordinary. There is no other voice in the universe like his voice.”) But 15 years ago, Lambert was on the American Idol stage, dazzling viewers with his stylish flair and renditions of famous pop song.