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A familiar face returned to “American Idol” during the April 30 episode, which saw the Top 12 pay homage to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Adam Lambert, who finished as runner-up on season 8 in 2009 to Kris Allen, served as the mentor. This was his fifth time back in this role, which he filled most recently in 2019 during season 17.
Lambert also performed “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” a song from his new album, “High Drama,” released in March 2023. His mentoring saw positive reviews across social media during the episode and was praised in real-time by judge Katy Perry.
‘Best Episode … in Years’: Fans Praise Adam Lambert’s Mentoring
Lambert didn’t hold back in offering his opinion to each contestant. He advised Zachariah Smith on which song to perform and suggested to Megan Danielle that she consider dialing her song back to create a personal feel that could better connect to the audience.
Fans said they enjoyed seeing the current Queen frontman offer up his valuable insight.
“[Adam Lambert] is a superb mentor! He imparts his knowledge of musicality & stage performance to the #AmericanIdol Top 12 contestants with honesty & empathy,” one fan account tweeted.
“Watching the best episode of [American Idol] in years,” another fan wrote on Twitter. “[Adam Lambert] must have sprinkled everyone with magical talent dust…. best mentor ever!”
.@adamlambert‘s advice has been spot on tonight! @AmericanIdol #americanidol
“I love [Adam Lambert] so much!! He’s giving great advice on [American Idol] and is looking so fabulous,” another person wrote.
#adamlambert should be a judge on @AmericanIdol He tells it like it is..”if I’m being honest”❤️ #adamlambertismyamericanidol
Lambert also has experience as a guest judge on the show. In season 14 he stepped up in place of Keith Urban during the New York auditions alongside Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez.
Katy Perry Acknowledged His Mentoring Advice
In one of the final performances of the evening, Zachariah Smith delivered a lively performance of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Don’t Bring Me Down.” In his sit-down with Lambert, the rock star not only advised Smith on which of his two song choices to perform but also encouraged Smith to enjoy his opportunities to perform.
Smith, a Mississippi native, brought up that he’s noticed he looks too serious in his past performances.
“Take your moments to let yourself smile and feel that joy,” Lambert said.
Following Smith’s Top 12 showing, which earned him a spot in the Top 10, Perry complimented Lambert for his work as a mentor and specifically noted his work with Smith as being effective.
“I just want to say that the feedback Adam Lambert has been giving, I personally agree with,” Perry said during the episode. “Ten out of ten, he is giving incredible feedback.”
Earlier in the show, judge Lionel Richie pointed out Lambert’s influence on Oliver Steele’s take on “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles. Lambert expressed that he was “bored at the end” upon his first listen as he worked with Steele to take the song “on a journey.”
“I love your interpretation,” Richie said in his feedback. “Everything Adam said was absolutely right. Make everything you do from now on you.”
“American Idol” is back for a live episode on May 1 with the Top 10 being trimmed to the Top 7.