Adam Lambert in finals: Is crowning of the first openly gay winner of “American Idol” just a week away?

This seemed like it would have been such a big deal – and virtually impossible – only two years ago. The thought was that America would never vote en-mass for an openly gay contestant on American Idol. Now Adam Lambert, an amazingly talented young singer who has been photographed kissing guys in public, is the odds-on favorite to take the crown in the finals next week.

Let me remind you that the now-openly gay Clay Aiken was not out when he competed during the second season if the show. And while it may seem like it, he actually was the runner-up behind Ruben Stoddard. I think no matter what happens, Adam is going to be a huge star – he already is! And once the show is over, I hope Adam will speak freely about being a gay man. I think it will be inspirational to a lot of young gays out there and hopefully educational to their parents.

But to join the ranks of past winners Kelly Clarkson, David Cook and Carrie Underwood as breakout stars. He will have to hold off the challenge of surprise finalist Kris Allen in the season eight finale.

Danny Gokey was predicted to be in the final two since he had never been voted into the bottom three all season long. But he got the fewest of the 88 million votes cast Tuesday night with just one million calls and texts separating Lambert and Allen.