Lambert wants to see where the music takes him

"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert says he's seen more than a few admirers show up in eyeliner and painted nails.

"I think a lot of the lady fans like to paint their nails and do all the make-up and wear bright colors," he says.

He says a lot of his fans are wearing T-shirts with the Egyptian symbol for the Eye of Horus in honor of a tattoo he has on his wrist.

"There's a lot of other stuff, too, it really makes me smile when I see that; I think its cool," says the 27-year-old singer who many predicted would win this season's "American Idol."

Lambert and five other of the "Idol" finalists took time out today to talk to the media during informal interview sessions at the St. Pete Times Forum before their performance tonight.

Also chatting it up were Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre. Missing was "Idol" winner Kris Allen.

Lambert says the "American Idols Live" tour has been a "whirlwind of excitement" that is hard work but "totally worth it to get up on that stage."

"When you are performing and the audience is screaming your name, it totally charges you up," he says.

Lambert signed a record deal with 19 Entertainment and RCA Recordings. Lambert is scheduled to record that album while on the road with the show's finalists for the "Idols Live Tour." The untitled album is expected for release in the fall.

Like most of the finalists, he looking ahead to the end of the tour and the release of his album, a mix of all styles of music.

"It will be a diverse collection of pop, rock, jazz, blues, ballads and everything," he says.

Forget any talk about him becoming a Broadway star. He toured in "Wicked" and performed in other stage productions before "Idol."

"Now I want to be me," he says. "I don't want to play a character. I want to see where the music takes me."

He says he is cool with a second place first because "honestly. I didn't go in it to win."

"I went in for the experience," he says. "I am competitive on stage but it was more about getting the exposure for my future."

He adds that he is pleased that he went as far as he did considering that he is an alternative style of performer. "It shows America was ready to judge based on talent."