Adam Lambert has given his backing to one of this year’s American Idol finalists.

The glamorous singer, who shot to fame on the 2009 series of the hit Fox show, has admitted that he has so far been massively impressed by the musical talents of Haley Reinhart, adding that she makes performing look so ‘easy and effortless.’

The 29 year old star – who is currently working on his second album, due to be released later this year – told THR at Wednesday’s ASCAP Pop Music Awards:

“I love Haley so much because musically and vocally, she’s doing things that are at a top-notch level. It’s incredible how Haley makes it look so easy and effortless. Plus, she’s having fun up there. I don’t feel like she’s working so hard to prove herself or to prove a point. She’s just singing and taking joy in music.”

Adam went on to claim that none of the judging panel – who have previously been criticised for being too easy on this year’s bunch of hopefuls – give Haley enough praise and encouragement. He added:

“I wish the judges gave her a little bit more praise because what she’s doing is technically superb,” he says.

On recent eliminee Caey Abrams, Lambert confessed that like the rest of us, he got irritated by the whole grunting thing. He explained:

“The thing about Casey is, the judges will go, ‘We like your quirkiness,’ and now it’s almost like he’s parodying himself a bit,” says Adam. “I think he’s so good, and then he starts grunting and I’m like, ‘Why? You don’t even need to do that.’ I get distracted by it. But I think Casey’s got vocal and musical genius in him. He’s so talented.”

At the stars of the season many people compared new contestant James Durbin to Adam and at first he was full of praise for the singer. However now, Lambert admits he’s ‘kind of over’ his protege, adding:

“I think he’s got talent and passion 100%, but I feel like he’s trying way too hard.”

“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. Whereas Haley and Casey, they’re bringing a little more legitimacy to it. They’re more grounded in their own voices. When they did that jazz duet, that was nuts! They give off a good vibe.”