People / 'Idol' Runner-Up Dishes About His Personal Life

from Commercial Appeal, The ..

"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert has landed on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine .

The 27-year-old singer from San Diego acknowledged in an interview that he's gay and said it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.

"I'm proud of my sexuality," he said. "I embrace it. It's just another part of me."

Lambert emerged as an early front-runner and judge favorite, thanks in part to his soaring vocal range.

When he moved into the show's Bel-Air mansion with the other finalists, he roomed with Kris Allen , who won the "Idol" title over Lambert last month.

According to Rolling Stone, Lambert was open about his sexuality backstage at "Idol."

He said he worried that a public announcement would overshadow his singing, so he decided not to respond and largely kept his personal life under wraps on the show.

"I'm an entertainer, and who I am and what I do in my personal life is a separate thing," he said. "It shouldn't matter. Except it does. It's really confusing."

Lambert said he isn't interested in being the poster child for gay rights: "I'm trying to be a singer, not a civil-rights leader."

Cole schedules post-surgery show

Natalie Cole is preparing for her comeback performance less than a month after a successful kidney transplant.

The Grammy-winning singer said she'll perform Sept. 9 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

The 59-year-old had the surgery in Los Angeles last month. She had been scheduled to start a tour on June 5; those dates are being rescheduled.

Cole also thanked fans for their support. Her sister, Carole Cole, died on May 19, the same day the singer had her surgery.

Cole said she's in the midst of sorrow, but is still able to celebrate her "new lease on life."

Travolta says thanks to co-stars

John Travolta is thanking his colleagues from "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" for promoting the film while he continues to mourn the death of his 16-year-old son, Jett , who died after a seizure in January.

Travolta posted a note on his personal Web site Monday thanking "Pelham" director Tony Scott and co-stars Denzel Washington , John Turturro , Luis Guzman and James Gandolfini for "their unselfish efforts" publicizing the picture, which allowed his family the additional time to reconcile their loss.

The 55-year-old actor also thanked Scott for "the freedom to define, and then to become, the ultimate evil mastermind."

- From Our Press Services

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Today's birthdays

Singer Shirley Alston Reeves of The Shirelles, 68; bassist Kim Deal of The Pixies, 48; singer Maxi Priest , 48; actress Gina Gershon , 47; actress Jeanne Tripplehorn , 46; model Elizabeth Hurley , 44; singer Faith Evans , 36; actor DJ Qualls ("Hustle and Flow"), 31; singer Hoku , 28; actress Leelee Sobieski , 27.

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Originally published by From Our Press Services .

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