During "The Voice" finals in 2011, contestant Nakia performed Adam Lambert's hit single "Whataya Want From Me," after which Adam Levine said "I'm actually not familiar with that song, but you just forced me to like it [...] You probably sang it better than the person that sang it originally."

Adam levine

After Adam Lambert came out as gay, Gene Simmons said Lambert was the "best talent American Idol has had, but I think he killed his career because now conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference." Simmons tried to leave off on a more sensitive note, adding "I hope I'm wrong."

Gene simmons

"American Idol" alum Clay Aiken responded to a fan who asked him about the Season 8 finale: "I [tuned in when] Adam Lambert was singing 'Ring of Fire' and, at that moment, thought my ears would bleed." Aiken called Lambert's performance "contrived, awful, and slightly frightening."

Clay Aiken