Adam Lambert performs “Holding Out for a Hero” for “Can’t Cancel Pride”
On Thursday (June 15) the Can’t Cancel Pride event premiered on iHeartRadio. The evening recognized the LGBTQ+ community and celebrated organizations creating a more inclusive and equal world.
Dancing with the Stars alum and So You Think You Can Dance judge JoJo Siwa served as host of the evet which featured performances from American Idol alum and Queen frontman, Adam Lambert, Brandi Carlile, Ciara, Billy Porter, Kelsea Ballerini, Kesha and more.
Can’t Cancel Pride streamed on several platforms, including Youtube and is still available to watch.
“I’m so thrilled to be an artist during this time”
“Visibility is so powerful,” Adam wrote on Instagram the day after the event. “The LGBTQ community are under attack by the right wing. (Again) Creating entertainment that represents the queer experience gives us strength and hope. It gives us inspiration.”
The singer continued, “It makes us shed some of that shame and self-loathing that we grow up with. I’m so thrilled to be an artist during this time. There’s still work to be done, but I am very proud of how far we have come, and what we have overcome.”
JoJo Siwa hosted, Bonnie Tyler introduced Adam’s performance of her iconic 80s hit
Bonnie Tyler herself introduced Adam’s performance of her iconic hit song from the 80’s “Holding Out for a Hero.”
“It’s been 40 years, almost since I recorded “Holding out for a Hero” for the film Footloose,” The singer said as she introduced Adam. “And…it’s a song about finding someone who will stand up against adversity…(about) freedom of expression And today the song takes on a whole new meaning, especially when it’s sung by one of the loudest, proudest, wonderful, most talented member of the community.”
The clip here will begin with Adam’s performance, but to watch the entire event, just wind it back to the beginning. Afterward, Adam and JoJo noted that they have both participated in “Can’t Cancel Pride” from the beginning. In 2020, Adam shot his performance in his backyard. JoJo gushed that in Adam’s presence, it’s like being 7 years old again.
“Holding on to a Hero” is from Adam’s new album, High Drama, a collection of cover songs Adam interprets in his own inimitable way.
“Can’t Cancel Pride” started in 2020 as a virtual event that took place in the thick of the Covid 19 pandemic. The title meant that although the pandemic resulted in canceled performances and events, Pride itself would not be canceled. Now, as Adam addressed in his post, “Can’t Cancel Pride” has taken on an entirely new meaning.
This year’s event, which has raised nearly $15 million to benefit LGBTQ+ communities focused on the challenges and celebrations of “The Year in Pride,” showcasing twelve months of community and activism and the issues that continue to impact the LGBTQ+ community in 2023.
