"American Idol" runner up Adam Lambert poses at the Hollywood Life's 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California June 7, 2009.
"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert has told Rolling Stone magazine he is gay, answering a question that followed the singer for months since he gained millions of fans on the No. 1 U.S. TV talent show.
Finalists Adam Lambert (L) and Kris Allen appear on stage with host Ryan Seacrest (R) during the finale of Season 8 of "American Idol" in Los Angeles May 20, 2009.
"I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I'm gay," Lambert told the music magazine in excerpts from an interview released Tuesday as it was announced that he had secured a record contract with his debut album due out in fall.
"I'm proud of my sexuality," he said. "I embrace it. It's just another part of me."
The issue with Lambert on the cover hits newsstands this Friday, with the full interview inside.
During his "American Idol" run Lambert was known for his falsetto singing, outlandish costumes, eyeliner and fingernail polish. He was nicknamed "Glambert" and Entertainment Weekly magazine called him "the most exciting 'American Idol' contestant in years."
When he lost in May's finale to the more buttoned-down Kris Allen, some fan Web sites and the media buzzed with speculation that being gay cost him votes from viewers who pick a winner.
