"I'm starstruck" — Claim to Fame season 3 winner Adam reflects on his relationship with Michael Bolton

Claim to Fame season 3 concluded on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, after airing eight episodes instead of ten as scheduled. Despite that, it delivered a thrilling two-hour grand finale that showcased the three finalists, Adam, Hud, and Mackenzie, battle it out for the $100,000 prize.

In the concluding challenge, the eliminated contestants teamed up with the finalists. Some supported their favorites, while others tried to sabotage their gameplay. After overcoming multiple hurdles, Adam emerged victorious and walked away with the winner's title.

It was then revealed that the Claim to Fame season 3 champion was singer-songwriter Michael Bolton's nephew. In an interview with Us Weekly, published on August 28, 2024, Adam opened up about his relationship with his uncle.

"I haven't told anybody this, but I'm starstruck by my own uncle," Adam confessed.

He added that his uncle's profession as a musician impacted him and encouraged him to pursue his passion. He reflected on his own journey as an artist and talked about his non-profit organization that offered people a safe space to express themselves musically.

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Claim to Fame season 3 winner Adam was "glad" his uncle could see him on the show

Reflecting on his relationship with the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, Adam confessed he was in awe of his presence. He felt conscious of Michael's celebrity status and his note-worthy musical career. Even during family gatherings, the Claim to Fame winner hesitated to get candid with him.

"Like, we go golfing and I'm insecure about how to talk to him. He'll be like, 'Oh, I was golfing with Michael Jordan,' ... and I'm like, 'Uhhhhh.' It's just always been like that," he told US Weekly.

He added that he looked up to Michael from a young age and often equated him with "God" on stage. However, he said he gradually realized that his uncle's involvement with music lured him more than his larger-than-life presence. Music was "the thing" for him.

"As a kid, I used to see him up on stage and it was mesmerizing. it was kind of like God, honestly. I was just like, 'This must be it,' and then I realized in my adulthood that he isn't the thing, it's actually music that is the thing for me," Adam stated.

Drawing inspiration from his celebrity relative, Adam pursued music. He founded a non-profit organization called Musical Intervention, where people expressed themselves musically, especially those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

He explained that his organization offered a safe space for those overlooked by society. He encouraged them to utilize music to "make their life better." He added that Musical Intervention was a result of the work he did in "inpatient psychiatric hospitals and drug rehabilitation programs." It was "an amazing melting pot" where people from varied backgrounds connected through music.

Connecting with people from various walks of life was one of the main reasons the Claim to Fame season 3 winner participated in the show. It helped him see how having a celebrity relative impacted people's lives.

"Some people are closely related to their relatives and others ones are a little more distant. [It's] an interesting experience how your life is affected by having a celebrity [relative], because people do look and treat you differently," Adam said.

Discussing his relationship with his celebrity relative, the Claim to Fame star said Michael had always been proud of him. Michael Bolton, who had undergone brain cancer surgery the previous year, considered Adam to be "a star."

"During his rehabilitation that he is in now, he has some time to watch TV. ... I'm just glad that he could see me through that lens [on the show]," Adam mentioned.

Although he could not send a video message, Michael left a heartfelt note for the Claim to Fame star that was shown in the finale. In the message, Michael congratulated Adam and commended him for playing the game with "integrity, determination, and humanity." He looked forward to Adam's "next great adventure" and confessed he was "so proud" of him.

The last line of the note read:

"Adam, you are awesome!"

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Claim to Fame season 3 is available to stream on ABC and Hulu.