In the world of reality television, few shows have had the cultural impact of American Idol. Since its debut in 2002, the singing competition has been a launchpad for numerous artists, turning everyday dreamers into global superstars. Among its most memorable contestants is Adam Lambert, the Season 8 runner-up whose powerhouse vocals and theatrical flair captivated audiences in 2009. Lambert’s journey on Idol not only showcased his extraordinary talent but also set the stage for a remarkable career, including his current role as the frontman for Queen. However, there’s one moment in Idol history that Lambert still reflects on with a tinge of regret: the 2016 American Idol grand finale, an event he missed due to a conflicting commitment. This article delves into the significance of that finale, why Lambert couldn’t attend, and how his absence reflects both his growth as an artist and the enduring legacy of the show that made him a star.
The Rise of Adam Lambert on American Idol
Adam Lambert burst onto the American Idol scene in 2009 with a show-stopping audition, performing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” At 27 years old, the Indianapolis-born, San Diego-raised singer was a self-described theater kid who had spent years performing in musicals like Wicked and The Ten Commandments: The Musical. Despite his experience, Lambert initially doubted his fit for a mainstream competition like Idol. “I thought, ‘I’m not the type that they look for,’” he later admitted in a 2023 interview with Variety. Yet, his audition left the judges—Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and newcomer Kara DioGuardi—stunned. All four voted “yes,” propelling him into the competition.
Lambert quickly became a fan favorite, known for his daring song choices and electrifying performances. His rendition of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” during the Top 8 round earned a rare standing ovation from Simon Cowell, who called it one of the best performances in the show’s history. Other highlights included his sultry take on Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” which polarized the judges but showcased his ability to reinvent songs, and his soaring performance of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” a first for any Idol contestant. By the time he reached the finale, Lambert was the frontrunner, with Cowell declaring, “Over the entire season, you’ve been one of the best, most original contestants we’ve ever had on the show.”
However, the Season 8 finale on May 20, 2009, delivered a shocking upset. Lambert lost to Kris Allen, a humble singer-songwriter from Arkansas, in a decision that sparked widespread controversy. Some speculated that Lambert’s sexuality—he came out as gay in a Rolling Stone interview shortly after the finale—may have influenced conservative voters, a theory Lambert himself later acknowledged as plausible. Despite the loss, Lambert’s finale performance was a prophetic moment: he and Allen joined Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor to perform “We Are the Champions,” a collaboration that foreshadowed his future with the iconic band.
The 2016 American Idol Finale: A Milestone Lambert Missed
Fast forward to 2016, and American Idol was preparing to close a significant chapter. The show, which had aired on Fox for 15 seasons, was set to conclude with a grand finale on April 7, 2016. This wasn’t just another season end—it marked the end of an era for a program that had reshaped the music industry and launched careers like those of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson. The finale was a nostalgic celebration, featuring performances from past contestants and a retrospective of the show’s most iconic moments. For many Idol alumni, it was a chance to return to the stage that started it all, reconnect with fans, and honor the show’s legacy.
Adam Lambert, by then a global star, was notably absent. At the time, he was in Toronto, filming his role as Eddie in Fox’s TV movie remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, set to air later that fall. In an interview with Billboard at 3:30 a.m. on the Toronto soundstage, Lambert expressed his disappointment: “I know. I’m so sad I missed it. I’ll probably go find it online somewhere. It is bittersweet because if I hadn’t been working on this, I would have definitely been there.” He added that he hadn’t even thought to ask anyone to text him the winner, underscoring how consumed he was with his filming schedule.
Lambert’s absence was particularly poignant because he had been a significant part of Idol’s history. Just two weeks before the finale, he had appeared on the show, performing and mentoring contestants—a role he had taken on multiple times since his 2009 season. His connection to Idol remained strong, and he appreciated the season’s nostalgic tone. “I think they’ve done an amazing job this season of being nostalgic and wrapping up,” he told Billboard. “With the little bits that I’ve seen—I haven’t really been watching well—I think it’s been really interesting that they’ve kind of done a retrospective and talked about all the Idols.”
The 2016 finale saw Trent Harmon crowned the winner, beating out La’Porsha Renae in a surprising upset. The episode featured performances from Idol alumni like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and even Kris Allen, Lambert’s Season 8 rival. For Lambert, missing this event was a rare moment of disconnection from a show that had been instrumental in his rise to fame. While he didn’t watch the finale live, his comments suggest he felt a deep sense of loyalty to Idol and its community, making his absence a source of regret.
Why Lambert Still Regrets Missing the Finale
Lambert’s regret over missing the 2016 finale stems from more than just a scheduling conflict—it reflects his gratitude for Idol and the unique role it played in his career. In the same Billboard interview, he acknowledged the show’s impact: “I don’t know if I would [have broken into the music industry] without Idol. The music industry is really tricky to break into and highly competitive. When I did Idol, I was 27, and that was part of my reason for doing it.” He explained that his unconventional style made him a risky signing for record labels, but Idol gave him a platform to showcase his talent directly to the public, paving the way for opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach.
The 2016 finale represented a chance to celebrate that journey alongside other Idol alumni, many of whom shared similar stories of struggle and triumph. For Lambert, who had returned to Idol multiple times as a mentor and performer, the finale was a missed opportunity to close the chapter on a formative part of his life. His regret is compounded by the fact that Idol was more than just a competition—it was a cultural phenomenon that gave him exposure at a time when breaking into the music industry was notoriously difficult. As he noted, platforms like YouTube now offer similar visibility, but in 2009, Idol was one of the few avenues for aspiring artists to reach a mass audience.
Lambert’s Career Post-Idol: A Testament to His Resilience
While missing the 2016 finale left Lambert with a sense of what could have been, his career trajectory since Idol demonstrates why he remains one of the show’s most successful alumni. After placing second in Season 8, Lambert released his debut album, For Your Entertainment, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200. The album’s lead single, “Whataya Want from Me,” earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2011. He went on to release four more solo albums, with his 2015 release, The Original High, showcasing a more mature, introspective side of his artistry.
Lambert’s collaboration with Queen, which began in earnest after their 2009 Idol finale performance, has been a cornerstone of his career. Since 2011, he has toured the world with Brian May and Roger Taylor as Queen + Adam Lambert, performing to sold-out arenas and earning critical acclaim for his ability to honor Freddie Mercury’s legacy while bringing his own flair to the role. In 2019, the partnership was documented in ABC’s The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story, which highlighted Lambert’s seamless integration into the band. Brian May noted in the documentary, “It was really blindingly obvious that there was a chemistry already between us and Adam.”
Beyond music, Lambert has explored acting and mentorship. His role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show remake was a nod to his theatrical roots, and he has appeared on shows like Glee. In 2024, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by starring in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, a role that showcased his versatility as a performer. He has also been a mentor on various talent shows, including Idol, where his guidance has helped shape the next generation of artists.
The Legacy of American Idol and Lambert’s Place in It
The 2016 finale may have been a moment Lambert missed, but his connection to American Idol endures. The show, which moved to ABC in 2018 and continues to air as of 2025, remains a cultural touchstone, with Lambert often cited as one of its most iconic contestants. His journey—from a theater kid with big dreams to a global superstar—embodies the Idol ethos of giving ordinary people a shot at greatness. While he regrets missing the 2016 finale, Lambert’s career is a testament to the opportunities the show provided, even if he didn’t take home the title.
For fans, Lambert’s absence from the finale was a small footnote in a career filled with triumphant moments. His regret, however, serves as a reminder of the deep bonds formed through Idol, not just between contestants and fans, but among the alumni who shared the experience of a lifetime. As Lambert continues to perform with Queen, release new music, and take on challenging roles, his legacy as an Idol alum remains secure—a legacy that began on a stage he couldn’t return to in 2016, but one he has honored in every step of his remarkable journey.
