Monday, March 29, 2010

The Glambertinas


If you're wondering what The Glambertinas are it's not the name of a new martini or a new automobile. It's the name given to the group of women who have a thing for Adam Lambert. Some might call it an obsession. They call it a passion.

I admit to not watching American Idol. I admit that I barely knew what Adam Lambert looked like before his notorious performance on The American Music Awards. I admit that personally I don't get it.


But what I do get is what they discovered about themselves and created as a result of their collective love for the 27 year old, openly gay male who came in second place in Season 8 of the show.


It started last June with a blog that Allegra Huston wrote on wowOwow. The title, What is it about Adam Lambert? says it all. She hit a nerve that resulted in thousands of comments, latest count is 21,333 and an ensuing dialogue. Out of those women writing there were two prominent contributors. Xena and Juneau. They have real names, day jobs, families, fall into the age demographic known as us baby boomers, but at this point in the story they'll stay Xena and Juneau.

Xena and Juneau had never met before. Adam Lambert was their sign from the Universe that they should. Neither had ever written before. But their attraction for Adam and his eyes thick with mascara and eyeliner inspired something in them. They posted constantly to the comment thread to Allegra's blog about what they refer to as their "affliction". They began writing essays on what he stirred inside of them. Adam is their muse. Their writing spawned a blog of their own. Although they don't like that word. They prefer salon.

Writing under cover proved very freeing for both women. It opened up something in their lives, gave them a fresh direction and yes, now there is even a book. On The Meaning Of Adam Lambert.

I still don't get the Adam Lambert attraction. But what I do get is the purpose he's serving. Adam was their sign from the Universe that things needed shaking up in their lives. He serves as their inspiration as he does for countless of his fans. The women write that Adam's message is "to not be put in a box, to be true to ourselves, to take ownership of our dreams." I cannot begin to figure out how they got that message through him nor do I want to try. But I like that message. I believe in that message. And if Adam Lambert is their way of owning it and living it, then everything is happening as it should.


5 comments:

elKat-bert said...

Dear Joanne, I'm one of those oh so surprised at herself Glambertinas ( I'm E in the book ) not much of a network TV watcher, never watch those dreaded reality shows but admit watching Idol because of a deep interest in music. I suppose it would be impossible to "get" Adam Lambert without watching his slow unveiling during the course of the show, and I know from experience that it is impossible to explain the fascination by the legends of female fans. But that is kind of beside the point, we ARE fascinated, he IS some kind of muse, and we DO love what has happened to us.
Let me just say in an attempt to explain us, a cursory search of youTube will bring up gobs of Adam lambert videos and a click on "Brigadoon", "The Prayer" and then several interviews will give you an idea of his talent, looks, charm,humanity and female sensitiveness that has us all in thrall.
It is also totally possible that someone will never "get" him, but it is really fun ride down the road of teenage nostalgia for the rest of us.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for reading! I will be sure to check out his videos!

IsabelR said...

Joanne,
Thank you for taking an open minded approach to the Glambertinas. Sure, it is weird. We still have no idea why . Adam Lambert just invaded our busy lives, filling a need we didn't even realize we had. A need to celebrate life more, to experience a little euphoria. To try new things. And to make new friends. At least half of the Glambertinas have now met and attended a concert in NYC recently. One year ago, that would have been unfathomable, and we wouldn't have believed anybody who told us this is what we'd be doing 12 months from then. Concerts have been attended, books have been written, two blogs have been started, and our artist in residence has created some very fine pieces of jewelry because of this.
As I said to you before, if the Universe sends you a shiny new muse, you'd be crazy not to accept it. You just go with it, and hope it takes you somewhere great. And it has.

Unknown said...

Whatever it is, I am starting to get one thing loud and clear! You are an amazing group of open hearted women who are going for it!!

Unknown said...

Ha ha, I absolutely cannot imagine how anyone cannot "get it"... have you watched all of his interviews and videos???