Vested interest

Adam Lambert, right, joins Snoop Dogg and Paula Abdul at the 2009 American Music Awards news conference held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Finding the 'Boundaries'

Adam Lambert performs "No Boundaries," an original song written by judge Kara DioGuardi, on Tuesday, May 19, his final performance of season 8 of "American Idol." (F Micelotta / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Making a 'Change'

Adam Lambert performed "A Change Is Gonna Come," a song selected by "Idol" producer Simon Fuller, as his second song on Tuesday, May 19. “That was the best I’ve ever heard you sing! Ever, ever, ever!" cooed Paula Abdul of Lambert's performance. (F Micelotta / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

A 'Phantom' performance?

Adam Lambert reprised his version of Tears for Fears' "Mad World" during the final sing on Tuesday, May 19. Simon Cowell questioned his attire and said he thought the performance as a bit too much like "Phantom of the Opera." (Fox) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Big time

Adam Lambert made it into the final two on "American Idol" by singing two songs by enormous rock bands -- U2's "One" and Aerosmith's "Cryin'." Judge Simon Cowell bragged that U2 leader Bono called him personally to OK the use of "One." (Frank Micelotta / Fox via AP) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Name-dropping

Judge Simon Cowell bragged that U2 leader Bono called him personally to OK Lambert's use of "One." (F Micelotta / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

O say can you see

Lambert, a San Diego native, returned to his hometown as part of the "Idol" final three hometown visits. While there, he made a trip to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and sang the national anthem for service members and their families. (Lance Cpl. Christopher O'quin / US Marine Corps via AP) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Rock this town

Lambert was in his element on rock night, tearing into Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." Said an appreciative Randy Jackson, "you are a rock star tonight!" (R Mickshaw / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Classing it up for Rat Pack night

Would Sinatra perform in anything but a suit? Lambert dressed up, but still kept his own personal style, on Rat Pack night. There's now a cat figurine wearing a white suit for sale on eBay imitating Lambert's outfit from this night. (F Micelotta / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Does caffeine calm backstage jitters?

Lambert is seen backstage before elimination night on the week that Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai were sent home. Note the Coke machine in the background -- Coke, of course, is a major "Idol" sponsor. (R Mickshaw / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Suiting up

Maybe this should have been the night for the white suit? Lambert went formal for disco night, where he sang his own version of "If I Can't Have You" from "Saturday Night Fever." (M Becker / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Get your motor running

On movie-song night, Lambert pulled out the motorcycle jacket and blue jeans and sang "Born to Be Wild" from "Easy Rider." Said Paula Abdul, "you dare to dance in the path of greatness." (F Micelotta / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

The song so many missed

When the Idols performed songs from the years they were born, Lambert chose 1982's "Mad World." Even Gary Jules, who arranged the version Lambert performed, said "it was fantastic." Jules covered the Tears for Fears song in a stripped-down, slow version in 2001 and the tune became popular after it was used in the movie "Donnie Darko" that same year. Unfortunately, Lambert performed last on a night that "American Idol" ran eight minutes over schedule and many fans who recorded the show missed Lambert's song. (Fox) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Lay down the boogie

When Lambert performed Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music," Paula Abdul compared him to Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler. (Fox) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Emerging as a star

Lambert's performance of "Tracks of My Tears" drew a standing ovation from Kara DioGuardi. Paula Abdul liked his appearance, too. "I love the clean look," she said. "No nail polish tonight!" (F Micelotta / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Middle Eastern music meets Johnny Cash

Lambert was rarely criticized all season, but on country night, he performed Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and added a Middle Eastern flavor, complete with sitar sounds. Randy Jackson thought it was "current," but Simon Cowell found it "absolute indulgent rubbish." (Michael Becker / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

Taking on the King of Pop

On Michael Jackson night, Lambert tackled "Black or White," and earned raves. "I hope Michael Jackson is watching," said Kara DioGuardi. () Share Back to slideshow navigation

Fans got 'Satisfaction'

Early on in the competition, Lambert tackled the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction." Simon Cowell thought some parts of the performance were "excruciating" and others "brilliant," but Lambert was on his way. (Fox) Share Back to slideshow navigation

You've got the look

From the beginning, Lambert attracted fans, with some claiming he reminded them of vampire hearthrob Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" books and movies. (Chris Cuffaro / Fox via AP) Share Back to slideshow navigation