Adam Lambert is getting ready to take the next step in his "evolution" as an artist.
Although the American Idol season eight runner-up had split with 19 Management in August 2011, he remained signed to the recording arm of 19 Entertainment (now owned by CORE Media Group) for another 18 months.
According to sources, January marked the expiration for that contract, although he is still on the roster at RCA Records. “It’s good for both sides,” says an insider. “Adam can move forward with his plans and 19 isn’t stuck in the middle.”
A rep for Lambert says the two parties leave “amicably and with the utmost respect for each other,” adding that the decision is but one part of the singer’s “evolution,” which began when he joined Direct Management Group, home to Katy Perry among other clients.
Since first signing to 19 in 2009, when he advanced to the finals on Idol, the company has seen profits from his six RCA Records releases, which include two studio albums as well as collections of live recordings and remixes, along with merchandising revenue and other ancillary products.
Although Lambert saw little radio play in the U.S. for his latest offering, Trespassing, his success overseas has cemented his status as a global artist. Aside from appearances at massive events like the MNet Asian Music Awards and The Voice China, the latter of which was watched by some 500 million people, he hosted December's VH1 Divas 2012 special and there are plans for Lambert to tour Japan, Southeast Asia and Europe in 2013.
As for his third album, conversations with the label about direction have already begun, says DMG.
19 Entertainment still represents a slew of Idol alums, including season 10's James Durbin, season 11's Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart and season 12's Colton Dixon, Jessica Sanchez and winner Phillip Phillips, among others.
Freedom from the Idol overlord.
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