Rocker Adam Lambert returns to the 2011
American Music Awards stage as a presenter two years after a gay kiss
stirred worldwide controversy.
“Adam Lambert was never banned from
the show,” Larry Klein, executive producer of the American Music
Awards, told The
Hollywood Reporter.
Lambert's 2009 performance during the
award show grabbed international headlines for its inclusion of a
kiss with his male bass player, Tommy Joe Ratliff, and some
man-on-man simulated oral sex. ABC received more than 1,500
complaints from unhappy parents.
The controversy shook the star, who was
still enjoying the spotlight from American Idol.
“That thing got so out of control and
was just so out of left field,” Klein said. “The kiss wasn't in
the script. Did Adam rehearse it on his own and not tell us? I have
no idea.”
Klein added that Lambert was never
banned from the show: “Adam was performing on a stage. Did he get
carried away? Absolutely. Was he regretful afterward? Of course he
was, but it's over. ABC never banned him and Dick Clark Productions
never would. We'd absolutely have him back.”
On Saturday, Lambert tweeted to his
more than 1.2 million followers: “Excited to present at the AMA's
tomorrow! Tune in!”