Adam Lambert and 19 Recordings Part Ways

Lee Cherry

Adam Lambert and 19 Recordings have parted ways, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

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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.”

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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 Lambert's 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.

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Although Lambert saw little radio play in the U.S. for his latest offering, Trespassing (which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart), his success overseas has cemented his status as an international 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 played with Queen, 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.

19 Entertainment still represents a slew of Idol alums, including season 10's James Durbin, Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart and season 11's Colton Dixon, Jessica Sanchez and winner Phillip Phillips, among others.

UPDATED: A rep for 19 Entertainment tells THR, “It has been wonderful working with someone as talented as Adam over the years. Through the recording process, we have seen him grow into himself as an artist and we are proud of the success we’ve had together. We wish him luck in his future endeavors.”

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