Adam Lambert: ‘A guy I was dating said I would never make it. I had the last laugh’

Born in Indiana, Lambert, 41, was runner-up on American Idol in 2009. His debut album, For Your Entertainment, included the international hit Whataya Want From Me, which earned him a Grammy nomination. His second album, Trespassing, became the first by an openly gay artist to reach the No 1 spot in the US and Canada. Since 2012 he has toured the world with Queen, and also had a cameo in the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody. High Drama, his new album, was released yesterday. He lives in Los Angeles.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I have very poor time management. I am often running late, I procrastinate a lot.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
I don’t embarrass easily: I’m kinda shameless.

Describe yourself in three words
Creative, part-time loner.

What would your superpower be?
I was lucky enough to get one. The talent that I have has done a lot for me, I think that is sort of a superpower.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
When I was younger, I had terrible acne, so it left my skin with scars. I’ve gone to dermatologists and it’s a lot better, but the surface of my face is not perfect.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Toni Collette.

What is your most unappealing habit?
I eat too fast.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
“You’re never going to make it.” It was some guy I was dating. I had the last laugh.

Would you choose fame or anonymity?
If I were crazy uber famous, that would rob me too much of my freedom and my normalcy but, at the same time, a little notoriety feels good.

What was the last lie you told?
“It’s not a big deal, don’t worry about it.”

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Here’s the thing … ”

What has been your biggest disappointment?
I’ve learned to accept everything. Part of enjoying life is releasing those disappointments.

If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I would try to work on being able to trust people more easily.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
I don’t want to be anybody else – I’m not interested in that.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Getting to challenge the status quo by being myself, just existing openly and honestly and boldly on a public level. It hasn’t always been easy, and it came with its fair set of challenges and sacrifices, and I am proud of that.

What scares you about getting older?
Forgetting things.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Compare and despair. Comparing yourself with someone else or what someone else is doing or what someone else has is a recipe for sadness. What matters is who you are and what you want.

What keeps you awake at night?
Online shopping for clothes.

What happens when we die?
I have no idea. I’ll let you know.

Tell us a secret
I’m a ginger.