with Former ‘Idol’ star Jim Verraros
By Robert Newton

“If anything, coming out elevated my visibility, it would seem,” says 24-year-old Jim Verraros, American Idol contender-turned-actor/gay role model. “It wasn’t a decision I dwelled on too much, either. All I did was think what it would mean to gay and lesbian youth across the country, and it was pretty easy.”

The Chicago native appeared on the debut season of Fox’s runaway hit show in 2002, placing ninth with his rendition of The Commodores’ “Easy.” However, he did not take the cut-a-quick-album route favored by the likes of Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson, instead waiting a couple years to make sure that the music still interested him and his fans.

“Doing what you want to do is important to me,” he adds, “and fans latched on to that message.” Fans also latched on to him, as his performances continue to draw sizeable crowds.

“It’s amazing how many people are following my career, and mind-blowing that I have a fan base five years after ‘Idol.’ I love that!”

That base of gay and gay-friendly male and female fans includes deaf fans, too. Jim was raised by deaf parents and is fluent in American Sign Language, even incorporating ASL into his version of Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall In Love” on Idol.

The album releases did come, though, with the independently released Unsaid & Understood in 2004 and the more major Rollercoaster in 2005, which netted a Top 20 Billboard Dance hit with “You Turn It On.” Another record is due this year, as soon as he is done whittling down the dozens of songs he has written and recorded for it. The movie offers also came.

“A high-profile opportunity like ‘Idol’ does put you in a position to be noticed,” he says. “After I was eliminated and did the tour for a year, I moved to L.A., which is when I got the interesting e-mail. It was from [Q. Allan Brocka] the writer and director of Eating Out. He auditioned me, I got the job, did a sequel, this year am doing another gay romantic comedy here in L.A. [Pizza On Sunset] and next year, a movie musical in Brazil [Of Love And Shadows].”

His story also makes history, as Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds is the first gay sequel ever. In both movies, Verraros plays Kyle, a neurotic young gay man in search of love.

“I was a lot more prepared for this one, and I let my insecurities go more,” he says. “People can read that on film, when you commit to being the character, getting lost in it.”

Verraros has not yet heard of plans for a “threequel,” but lightly suggests, “Maybe they should do Eating Out 3: Kyle Goes To Boot Camp.”

Jim’s intensive, 5-year showbiz education, coupled with the burden of coming out publicly so young, has earned him more life experience than people twice his age, wisdom that he boils down to one simple piece of advice.

“You have to have a thick skin in this business,” he says, like an old pro, “and you have to really believe in yourself.”

Check out what Jim is up to at www.JimVerraros.com.

Photo courtesy of Ed Baran Publicity.