Adam Lambert Feeling “Less Rhinestones These Days”

Adam Lambert got his start performing in musical theater, rose to fame as an "American Idol" runner-up and now, he's nominated for a Best Male Pop Vocal Grammy Award – an honor not lost on the glam rocker.

"To be nominated in the same category as [Michael] Jackson, that blows my mind," Adam told Access Hollywood Live's Billy Bush and Kit Hoover about his illustrious competition, which includes the late King of Pop for his song, "This Is It."

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"I grew up listening to Michael Jackson and he's such an icon," Adam continued. "He was such an influence on so many of these artists… It's a real honor."

Adam will not be bringing a date to the famed award ceremony, as he said he views the evening as "work."

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"We do a lot of interviews, we're on the carpet," Adam told Billy and Kit. "I get to enjoy the show, of course, but then afterwards its more interviews and appearances so, it's career time.

"I wouldn't want to drag anybody around and ignore them all night," he added.

"Would you ever go just clean, like you've done before?" Kit asked. "I love when you shake up the looks."

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"Yeah, I'm feeling less rhinestones these days," Adam said. "Just a little bit more, like, cool and comfortable."

While the 29-year-old performer may be leaning toward more casual fashion on his off time, he said his tour costumes will retain the expected over-the-top detailing that his legion of "Glam Nation" fans expects.

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"I actually just started renting a new house, here in Los Angeles," Adam revealed.

"For the costumes?" Billy asked.

"Yeah, a whole home for the costumes. You know, those spikes — they need their own room," he joked. "There's like, a large walk-in closet in one of the guest rooms and it's dedicated toward the storage [of my costumes]."

Talk of a possible Lambert clothing line has circulated for a while, but Adam said right now, they're just rumors.

"There's talk about everything! I don't know, I think people make some stuff up," Adam told Billy and Kit. "That would be fun. I'm not saying it will never happen, but no plans as of now."

Adam shocked (and angered) many viewers worldwide during his now infamous 2009 American Music Awards performance, where he made out with a male band member and simulated a sex act by pulling a male dancer's face into his nether regions. While the singer didn't necessarily agree with the public's outcry over his performance, he said he learned a lesson from the fallout.

"I definitely have to think twice now about certain choices," he told Billy and Kit. "I think you get on a show like that, and you kind of ad-lib, do an improv thing — which is what I'm used to doing as a performer — all the crazy LA nightlife gigs we've done, we just kind of go with it.

"I've learned something about an audience that tunes in for a network television awards ceremony," he continued. "I accept the circumstances, I take responsibility for the performance. It is what it is, and it's water under the bridge. I think we've all moved on.'

Although Adam found mainstream success thanks to "American Idol," he doesn't watch the show. He is, however, tempted to join the viewing audience now due to his admiration for "Idol's" newest addition to the judges table — Jennifer Lopez.

"I know very little, I haven't been watching," he told Billy and Kit. "I usually wait to watch 'Idol' until they get their Top 12… I'm not a huge fan of the auditions — partially because I know how stressful and nerve-wracking an audition really is and I kind of feel bad for the kids when they get cut.

"I love J. Lo. — I still haven't met her," he continued. "I want to meet her at least! She's so stunning. I think she's going to be a great judge because she's been in the business for a very long time… Hopefully she'll help these contestants kind of reach their potential."

Adam's new concert DVD/CD, "Glam Nation Live" hits stores on March 22.

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