The Moment Adam Lambert Sang ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on American Idol—and Nearly Didn’t Make It Through
When Simon Cowell dryly tells you that you’ve chosen his “favorite song” just before your audition, you know the pressure is on. And that’s exactly what happened in 2009 when a 27-year-old Adam Lambert stepped onto the American Idol stage, performing Queen’s iconic Bohemian Rhapsody.
In what became a nerve-wracking moment, the aspiring singer—who would later go on to become the frontman of Queen and perform in sold-out stadiums worldwide—almost didn’t make it past the judges. As he stood before Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Kara DioGuardi, his fate hung in the balance as they debated his performance.
A Performance That Sparked Debate Among the Judges
Lambert delivered an acapella rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody with precision, yet his theatrical style sparked a disagreement among the panel. Simon Cowell, never one to hold back, deemed his approach “too theatrical,” igniting a discussion on whether he was the right fit for the competition. Despite the back-and-forth, the judges ultimately decided to send him through—but not without hesitation.
What they didn’t realize at the time was that their concerns mirrored Lambert’s own doubts about auditioning. With a background in musical theatre, he had been unsure whether American Idol would welcome his style.
“I didn’t think I was the type of performer they were looking for,” he admitted in a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I almost didn’t apply because I wasn’t sure I’d fit in.”
A Risk That Paid Off
Beyond the uncertainty of making it through, Lambert also faced a significant personal sacrifice. In order to compete, he had to leave his steady job in a professional theatre production, as American Idol contestants couldn’t be under any existing entertainment contracts.
“That was my livelihood—it covered my bills and my health insurance,” Lambert explained. “Quitting was a huge risk. If the audition didn’t go well, I would’ve been out of work with nowhere to turn.”
As he stood before the judges, those thoughts loomed in the back of his mind. “I remember thinking, ‘If this doesn’t work out, I’m screwed.’”
But when he started singing, everything seemed to fall into place. “I was nervous, but I felt a connection with the judges. I was engaging with them, and they were paying attention. It just worked.”
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine American Idol nearly passing on the future Queen frontman. But as history has shown, that one performance set Lambert on a path to becoming one of the most celebrated rock vocalists of his generation.