Adam Lambert

24: This whole experience must have been quite a whirlwind. What have the last few weeks been like for you?

AL: It’s been really busy but really exciting. I’ve been rehearsing for the tour - which just kicked off this week in Portland - and at the same time, I’ve been working on my debut album, so I’ve been doing double duty, but it’s been so exciting.

24: The world is mourning the loss of Michael Jackson and you paid homage to him by doing a couple of his songs on ‘American Idol’. How did you hear the news of his death and what kind of effect did he have on you?

AL: It was pretty shocking. We were actually rehearsing the first number of my set for the tour and I was singing up with the band and Lil Rounds ran into the room and whispered something into one of the producer’s ears - and all of a sudden they looked really serious. When I asked what was going on, the producer told me that Michael Jackson had died. We all just kind of stopped; it was really bizarre. We were all stunned – it just got really quiet. It was really sad and one of the guys in the band was relating it to when Elvis passed and how it felt kind of the same way. He was such a big influence on me as a child. He was very present throughout the '80s and early '90s when I was growing up. He was so creative and innovative and there wasn’t a lot like him. I looked up to him a lot.

24: Your interpretation of Gary Jules version of ‘Mad World’ is one of the best songs ever heard on the show. What’s your process for putting your own take on a song?

AL: That’s the beauty of ‘Idol’ – you don’t just stand up there and copy; you have to make it yours and make it new. And you’re right; the Gary Jules version is pretty much perfect; so beautiful and so haunting and I knew that if affected me that way when I first heard that recording, I wanted to make it somehow affect other people with the same piece of music. I love it and I think it’s a social commentary on the world, and the sadder side of society.

24: During the course of ‘American Idol’, you gain prominence and become more of a focal point and you have certainly experienced what its like to be in the public eye and have your life under the microscope.

AL: (Laughing) you could say that.

24: What has that aspect of life been like for you?

AL: It’s been interesting and definitely something that no one can prepare you for but I think it comes with the territory. At the end of the day, I’m just really glad that people are interested because hopefully it will allow me to stay present as far as being an entertainer. I’m glad that I have the opportunity to release an album soon and hold people’s attention.