Trigger warning for anyone who would rather not acknowledge the passing of time, but last year marked the 20th anniversary of American Idol.
Yes, that means that, in 2023, the popular ABC singing competition series will be old enough to buy a drink! L’chaim!
Over the years, American Idol has introduced us to some of this generation’s greatest vocalists, including a number of talented LGBTQ+ performers. We’ll never forget the pipes on bi icon Frenchie Davis, or Clay Aiken’s near win opposite Ruben Studdard. Of course, Adam Lambert continues to rock our worlds, and we were thrilled to welcome David Archuleta into the family in 2021.
Related: David Archuleta on his sexuality and why he’s no longer afraid to “tempt improper thoughts”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
But there’s one queer, early Idol contestant who doesn’t get the attention he deserves, and that’s season one’s Jim Verraros—technically the first gay finalist in the competition’s history.
Maybe his audition will jog your memory? (Notably, Verraros incorporated sign language as a nod to his deaf parents.)
After that emotional audition in Chicago, the judges selected a then 19-year old Verraros to move on to Hollywood. From there, the performer received some pretty harsh criticism (Simon Cowell memorably quipped that, if Verraros wound up winning the competition, the show’s mission “would have failed”), but made it to the Top 10 off of fan vote support. In the first week of finals, he was eliminated. But Verraros’ career certainly didn’t stop with with the show.
Related: Adam Lambert On Turning Down Hedwig, Making Out To His Own Songs And Creating Music For His Gay Bros
In 2003, he joined the official American Idol tour and made headlines we he came out in January of that year. He shared that he had been open about his sexuality with fellow contestants during the show’s run, but felt he was encouraged not to be open on the show lest it give him an unfair advantage.
“I just thought it was time to come out,” Verraros said at the time. “I really hate the segregation and only being able to hold hands in gay bars. We have to start breaking down the barriers. I want to be a gay advocate and let teens know that being gay is just a small part of who you are. And if people don’t like it, it’s their problem, not yours.”
With the notoriety from the show, Verraros would go on to release three albums, and was able to pursue his original passion, acting, appearing in one of the lead roles in the low-budget gay comedy Eating Out and its sequel Sloppy Seconds.
Despite those films being in heavy rotation for gays of a certain age, it’d been quite some time since we’d heard from Verraros. As it turns out, he’s since moved out of the entertainment spotlight, but the folks at Instinct Magazine have alerted us to the fact that he’s thriving in his late thirties, and looking hunkier than ever.
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We were also pleased to learn that Verraros is now happily married, having tied the knot with husband Sean Michael Buck back in November 2021.
And, frankly, the two are adorable together. Especially when they’re both rocking sunglasses and scruff, some might even call them husband twins—but we’ll let you be the judge of that:
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According to his Twitter profile, Verraros is now a recruiter for a cybersecurity firm called Akamai Technologies, but it sounds like he’s not quite left his music career behind. In a tweet last fall, he shared the (very thirsty) cover for his last album—2011’s Do Not Disturb—and revealed he’d be getting back into the studio.
We’re definitely down for that! Especially if he continues the trend of sexy album art.
I’ve made the decision to go back into the studio. For fun. No pressure. What’s a vibe you’d want to hear from me? ?? #music #gayartist #EPcomingsoon pic.twitter.com/IOXCEU0ZqG
— Jim Verraros (@JimVerraros) September 10, 2022
We’ll keep our ears and eyes open for more from Jim Verraros soon. But, for now, we’re just happy to have this handsome gay talent (and his husband) back on our radars!
Related: Sanjaya Malakar came out as bisexual and doesn’t want to be the butt of any more jokes
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Terrycloth
The American Idol clip was off putting as the audio wasn’t in sync with the video. Great to see he’s happy and well hope he and his husband have a beautiful life together
cuteguy
Good for him. Glad to see he’s aging like a fine wine
Prax07
Didn’t even know AI was still a thing. Thought it ended like a decade ago.
Neoprene
No, you’re thinking of yourself, sweetie.
linedrive
@Neoprene: Holy cow, that was a good burn. You win the internet today. @Prax07: It ended on FOX and then was revived on ABC, I believe.
nm4047
I’m guessing the lack of any smile says differently.
lather
There are some smiling/candid photos that are much better than the others, imo.
They look like models in most, but a few you see “real” people.
Vellala
Cute couple. Best wishes to them for a happy married life this New Year, and all the years to come!
Zamir_i5
hottest place for gays. Visit >> wvw.gsex.gay
RGL
Where are the moderators? Why hasn’t spammer Zamir_i5 been banned yet?