YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS: 10 Years Ago, Adam Lambert Appeared on Chinese TV — What Huỳnh Hiểu Minh Did Next Had Everyone Talking
Ten years ago, China’s entertainment stage witnessed an unexpected yet electrifying performance. Adam Lambert — known for his flamboyant style and powerhouse vocals — brought his smoky eye makeup, glam-rock energy, and theatrical presence to a popular Chinese TV music show. It wasn’t just another appearance; it was a cultural moment. Cameras flashed. Fans screamed. And the audience, many of whom were unfamiliar with Adam’s unique style, sat captivated.
But the real twist came the following week.
Actor and heartthrob Huỳnh Hiểu Minh, typically known for his clean-cut image, walked onto the same stage for his performance. But this time, something was different. The lighting hit his face… and revealed a strikingly familiar look: dark eyeliner, smoky shadow, and a confident swagger. It was Adam Lambert — reimagined through a Chinese lens.
Fans and tabloids exploded.
Social media platforms lit up with side-by-side comparisons. Memes emerged overnight. Some praised Huỳnh for stepping out of his comfort zone. Others questioned whether it was homage or imitation. But Huỳnh cleared the air days later with a candid admission during a backstage interview:
“I saw Adam’s performance. I was mesmerized. The energy, the artistry — it was magnetic. I told my team I wanted to try something bold. But to be honest, the eyeliner wasn’t bold enough… I couldn’t match Adam’s energy. He’s one of a kind.”
That honesty only endeared him more to fans.
What followed was unexpected. The moment sparked a short-lived yet influential “smoky eye trend” across Chinese celebrity circles. Male idols and actors started experimenting with darker eye makeup in magazine shoots and fashion shows. Chinese Twitter (Weibo) dubbed it “The Lambert Effect.” Makeup tutorials sprang up overnight, and beauty influencers began referencing Adam as a source of inspiration — not just for style, but for fearless self-expression.
Fashion critics and pop culture analysts looked deeper. What made this such a moment? Why did a single performance resonate so far beyond borders?
The answer lies in timing. In 2013-2014, China’s entertainment industry was undergoing a shift. Globalization was increasingly influencing local trends. Korean pop was surging in popularity, Western acts were becoming more visible, and audiences were becoming more receptive to bold expressions of identity. Adam Lambert’s unapologetic glam rock aesthetic landed right at that cultural intersection.
Huỳnh Hiểu Minh’s gesture — whether conscious or subconscious — acted as a bridge. It symbolized admiration, cultural exchange, and the bravery to experiment in a traditionally image-conscious industry. For a male actor in China to adopt such an aesthetic, even temporarily, challenged norms.
Interestingly, Adam himself later acknowledged the moment. In an interview with an Australian radio station, when asked about his global influence, he chuckled and said:
“I heard someone in China tried my smoky eye — I’m flattered! I always say, makeup’s not just about looking good. It’s about saying something. So if people feel empowered by it, that’s a win.”
Over the years, the “Huỳnh-Adam moment” became a case study in media classes discussing cultural crossover and virality. It was replayed in retrospectives and best-of-year countdowns. A decade later, fans still bring it up.
As of 2025, both Adam Lambert and Huỳnh Hiểu Minh have gone on to expand their careers in different directions. Adam has toured globally, judged on talent shows, and continued to defy expectations. Huỳnh, meanwhile, has matured into more serious acting roles but occasionally nods back to that bold moment.
In a recent appearance on a variety show, when asked about fashion regrets, he laughed and said, “I wouldn’t call it a regret. That smoky eye taught me something — sometimes, you have to dare.”
And that might just be the legacy of that single, smoky night in China — a legacy of daring.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one performance, one eyeliner brushstroke, and one moment of admiration… to spark a cultural ripple that lasts a decade.
