Adam Lambert is the focus of VH1's latest 'Behind the Music' special, and in the program, the 29-year-old pop star opens up about his childhood struggles with his sexuality.

While the San Diego native always possessed a talent for singing, success didn't come easy for the would-be star. Lambert first realized he was "different" when he was in 6th grade, but he didn't want to talk to anyone about it. "To me it was a deep secret … at that age, it was something I was ashamed of because it was so different." He continues, "It's one of the things that's so hard about being a young person and realizing that you're gay or bi or whatever -- we're not told that that's okay."

Eventually, Lambert's mom took advantage of a prime opportunity to ask her son about his sexuality at which point the whole family "breathed a collective sigh of relief," his father says. Lambert adds, "It felt amazing; it really did. It felt like a weight was lifted, having that freedom of communication about a part of me that I had kept secret for so long."

Since then, Lambert has gone on to win the world over with his confidence and provocative style. He's become someone fans look up to for guidance about owning who you are and taking hold of your own self-expression. He insists, "You have to be strong and you have pay attention to the positive, and in doing so, you push through and you will rise up and you will live your life to the fullest."

To find out when 'Behind the Music: Adam Lambert' will re-air, check your local listings or log onto VH1.com.

Watch a Clip from VH1's 'Behind the Music: Adam Lambert'

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