Are Adam Lambert And James Durbin In A Feud?

We can’t be the only ones who noticed the similarities between Season 10 American Idol metal enthusiast James Durbin and Season 8’s outrageous contestant-turned-even-more-outrageous pop star Adam Lambert. (And not just because we think they sort of look alike.) Both uniquely-styled singers could nail everything from rock songs to emotional ballads; both favored risky song choices that most other contestants would be too scared to attempt; and both James and Adam could deliver a high-pitched wail your ears couldn’t believe. So why does it appear that these two fellas are now in the middle of a feud?

Adam Lambert recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about all of the top finalists in the competition — mostly expressing his love of now eliminated contestant Haley Reinhart — but also mentioned he was “kind of over” James:

“I think he’s got talent and passion 100 percent, but I feel like he’s trying way too hard,” Adam opines. “Also, his niche is so limited with the metal. When he did that “Heavy Metal” song [by Sammy Hagar], James was note-perfect. He was on pitch, which is usually kind of an issue, and I think he sounded really good, but it felt like a copycat. I didn’t feel like I was seeing an original artist yet. And I’m not saying he doesn’t have that in him, but it hasn’t been showing.”

MTV naturally wanted to get James’ take on Adam’s comments when they sat down with him for a post-exit interview. When Jim Cantiello suggests that Adam’s negative comments about James’ performances may have aided his elimination, James responds, “I was nothing more than nice to that guy. You know, he decided to take it to a different level. So, whatever.”

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He continues: “I don’t know what the comparison is all about. He sings pop and electronica, and I sing rock and roll.”

Do you think Adam’s criticism of James affected his being voted off the show? And should we expect a response from Glambert sometime soon, or has this feud already fizzled? Regardless, we think Mr. Durbin is going to be just fine without winning Idol, especially with all of Santa Cruz being desperately in love with him.