Jim Verraros broke barriers on American Idol, found his voice in queer pop and film, and now returns with his boldest work yet.
by Tony Reverditto
When American Idol premiered in 2002, millions of people tuned in to watch everyday dreamers sing their way to stardom. Among them was a 19-year-old Jim Verraros, who would go on to make television and music industry history.
Born February 8, 1983, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and raised in nearby Crystal Lake, Verraros grew up the son of two deaf parents, a unique upbringing that shaped his artistry and his heart.
Fluent in American Sign Language, he brought that skill to his now-famous Idol audition, signing the lyrics to Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall in Love” as he sang. That poignant moment earned him a ticket to Hollywood — and ultimately, a spot in the show’s very first Top 10.
But it was what came after the cameras stopped rolling that cemented his place in pop culture. Shortly after Idol, Verraros came out publicly, becoming the first openly gay finalist in the franchise’s history — a bold move at a time when LGBTQ+ representation on mainstream TV was rare.
Verraros quickly turned his reality TV fame into a multifaceted career. His self-released album Unsaid and Understood (2003) became an online sensation, topping mp3.com’s rock and pop charts. Signing with Koch Records, he dropped his official debut Rollercoaster in 2005, blending sleek pop hooks with club-ready beats.
The single “You Turn It On” cracked the Billboard Dance Club Play Top 25, cementing his status as a rising voice in dance pop.
Acting soon followed. Verraros starred in the cult-favorite LGBTQ+ rom-com Eating Out (2004) and its equally cheeky sequel Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds (2006), further solidifying his connection to queer audiences and beyond. Alongside acting and music, he became a fixture at Pride events and an outspoken advocate for equality.
In recent years, Verraros has leaned into his artistry with a fresh perspective. His 2025 EP, Explicit, signals a fearless new chapter — bolder lyrics, richer production, and a sound that reflects both his journey and his refusal to compromise.
Two decades after his American Idol debut, Jim Verraros remains more than just a reality show alum. He’s a singer, actor and advocate whose career has been defined by authenticity, resilience and the courage to live out loud.
The RAGE Monthly caught up with Verraros shortly after the release of his bold EP.
When did you first realize you had an aptitude for singing?
I think when I was in fourth or fifth grade and a choir teacher asked me to sing in class. She immediately told me I needed to be in choir and take it a little more seriously. I continued to pursue theater and then musical theater in high school.
How did your stint on American Idol change your career?
It changed everything for me. It gave me a platform to sing to a nationwide audience; we were able to have fans from it that carried us and we were able to embark upon a 30-city tour. I was lucky enough to be contacted by a talented singer/songwriter/producer, Gabe Lopez, who believed in me so much, he wanted to produce my entire first album.
Shortly after, the writer and director of Eating Out, Allan Brocka, reached out and wanted me to audition for the role of Kyle in his independent film. Those two opportunities, my first album, Rollercoaster, and my first film, Eating Out, were really quite significant at that time. We didn’t really have a LOT of queer artists or queer cinema in 2005, so it was pretty pivotal.
Why did you take a 14-year hiatus before releasing a new EP?
I don’t think coming back to music was ever intentional . . . it just felt right. In 2002, we didn’t really have queer pop American artists who were in the mainstream . . . so because of the lack of representation at that time, I think a lot of people didn’t know what to do with me or where to take me with a career.
I did what I could with the knowledge and support I had at the time, but I think things may have been different 10 years later, when the rest of the world caught up. The current wave of incredible queer talent in music: Sam Smith, Troye Sivan, Vincent, Chappell Roan, Renee Rapp, Adam Lambert… all of them have inspired me to come back to doing something I loved so long ago.
I listened to your explosive songs on the Explicit EP. One of my all-time favorite singers is the brilliant George Michael. You have created a current, more courageous, and daring reflection of your insight and experience through your music, which is reminiscent. Are there any singers who have influenced you as an artist?
George Michael has been an influence of mine for as long as I can remember. I even went to a CD signing at Virgin in Los Angeles so I could meet him. I had a demo with me, and gave it to him and told him just how much he had influenced my music.
I’m not sure if he ever listened to it, but it felt good to tell him how special he was to me. I’m such a fan of so many artists; but Britney Spears was always at the core in terms of great pop music as well as Justin Timberlake, Madonna and Paula Abdul.
What is the inspiration behind your new album?
Explicit is really more about a state of mind rather than it just being about the content. I think at 42 years old, I’ve been through so much more than I had in my early 20s. I feel more centered, more grounded and more aware of myself. It’s also about speaking freely, uninhibited and uncensored.
Being unafraid to sing about sex or the pursuit of it — doesn’t feel as taboo as it used to. Singing about being queer can be fun and sexy and light-hearted; yes, there can be dark sides to it, but it can also be bright, bold and expressive.
Which is your favorite song and why?
I like different ones for different reasons: “Move/On” I really like; it’s the breath on the record; the beginning of the record is fast, up-tempo, upbeat; this gives it a pause and slows things down just a tad before finishing the record up-tempo again.
It felt fresh and current to me in terms of production and I love the lyrics. “Good Boy,” is definitely another fave. The beat hits hard and the lyrics are incredibly sexy.
Could you please share some of your future aspirations and goals?
I’d love to plan a pop-up tour this fall/winter to hit up some of my favorite spots and get to perform for people. Keep creating, keep writing and make sure we find ways to keep our joys. Now, more than ever.
jimverrarosmusic.com | Instagram: @jimverraros