American idol contestant gay

As Verraros releases his first EP in 14 years, Explicithe is joined in conversation by Rodriguez, his longtime friend and fellow queer industry stalwart. This page is for any contestants who have identified as LGBTQ+ in any way. I really don't know when you came out publicly or even ever did, but was there a pressure for idol, now that you had this success, to decide at that point, OK, I am gay.

During his time on the megahit reality show, Verraros was open about his experiences as the child of two Deaf parents, and that same honesty would foreshadow an even bigger disclosure: that he was gay. Do not categorize those who are speculated, unless they have acknowledged it in some fashion.

By continuing gay sex use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Verraros, who first came to fame on American Idol, and Rodriguez, from the original Queer Eye, found they could survive and thrive.

That was your kickstart to having this career in entertainment. When Rent came along, it was an incredible fit for me. Tell me about how that started and what kind of came after for you. Everyone that I knew had the soundtrack blaring at some point.

I knew who I was, but I didn't have the language. Verraros was a standout on the first season of American Idol inwhere he endeared himself to audiences not only through his immense vocal talent but gay his vulnerability. Obviously, you play american drag queen in a show.

The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. I had no visual representation. A Aaron Kelly Aaron Marcellus Ace Stiles Adam Lambert Adam Sanders Alexandréa Lushington Allegra Miles Amari Andrea Valles Angie Zeiderman Anilee List Anwar Robinson Avalon.

You have to remember, it was pre-social media. I obviously had a different sound than traditional musical theater. A member of the original cast of Queer Eye for the Straight GuyRodriguez has an eclectic career spanning television, music, and film, but the road has rarely been easy.

It's a different sound. Is this the moment, or do I just sort of keep chugging and kind of let that be secondary? David Archuleta has discussed coming out as gay to his family in a recent Instagram post. My first gay experience was with a costar in the contestant who was older than me.

What happened after that? I could cosplay musical theater quite well, but I'm not coming out the gate swinging like Ben Platt. Regardless of Fox's official stance, "American Idol" featured no contestants who were openly LGBTQ+ while competing untiljust two seasons before it ended its initial run.

You had Queer Eye inwhich is probably how most people learned about you from a national stage. Gay boys will not support gay boy performers. But what people don't understand is that you came right out of high school and you did Rent on Broadway.

After the season ended, he became the first former Idol to come out publicly. Jim: Once the success came to be, it caught like wildfire. Jim: I want to start out by saying just what a trailblazer that you've been for me. He is not the first "American Idol" contestant to discuss struggling with his sexuality.