by jay jones –
American rapper, singer, songwriter, Broadway actor, director, choreographer and YouTube star Todrick Hall first gained national attention after his appearance on Season 9 of American Idol. He has continued his musical journey ever since and just released his latest album Femuline. He plans to set out on his new world tour in 2022, which will include a San Diego stop at the House of Blues in March.
However, you don’t have to wait until 2022 to see him live as he will be performing at UNITE! Music Festival’s new #UNITED We Groove boat cruise during San Diego Pride weekend on Sunday, July 18.
A very busy man, The RAGE Monthly tracked him down while he was working in London to have a quick chat to learn more about what makes him tick.
You were born in Plainview, Texas, and in your teens your family moved to Dallas where schools were mostly sports-oriented. At what age did you have that “aha” moment and say to yourself, “I need to express myself in a different way?”
That happened for me when I was very young. Luckily, I had a teacher named Pat Carthel, who I shout out every single time I have an opportunity, because she found me at 7 years old and introduced me to the world of musical theatre, which changed my life. So going to school at that point felt like I was just checking off a box because I was so anxious to leave and just go to dance class. I couldn’t wait for the day I graduated so I could officially go and chase my dreams of being on Broadway.
In the film All That Jazz, Roy Scheider says “It’s showtime, folks!” We get the sense that this is not you. Just about everything you do appears to be an expression of who you are as an entertainer. In your new album Femuline and the videos for “Rainin’ Fellas” and “Dick This Big” (which are amazing, by the way), do you feel like you’re able to be yourself.
Absolutely, and I think with each project I evolve as a human being. I evolve and am inspired by the things my fans tell me at shows, meet and greets, messages and letters they write me. It really helps me have the confidence to embrace both my masculine and feminine sides and express things I feel are underrepresented in music, entertainment and the mainstream media.
San Diego’s UNITE! Music Festival is celebrating its five-year anniversary this year during Pride weekend. We all had such a dark 15 months missing out on live entertainment events and are so excited that you will be joining us after the boat cruise for a 45-minute bayside concert. What can you tell us about being part of the event? And can you give us a preview or sneak peek of what fans can expect from your show?
Fans can always expect costumes and high energetic dancing, and just a really good time! I named my last album House Party for a reason, so I want to bring that vibe. But also, it will be the first time I will perform songs off my new album Femuline live. I’m really excited about that, and I’m also really excited about performing at this event in San Diego because last year Pride got taken away from us (COVID-19). We tried to do it virtually but doing it in person feels so liberating and freeing as we are able to celebrate Pride with people and members of our community in a way we couldn’t last year.
Tell us about your 2022 Femuline world tour? Are there any cities on the tour that you are looking forward to visiting for the first time?
I’m looking forward to visiting Salt Lake City. It actually won’t be the first time as I got to perform there on my last tour for House Party. But the people who were booking the shows for years and years tried to discourage me from going to Salt Lake City, saying my show might not be for their demographic, the people who live in that city. We sold that show out! In fact, it was the FIRST show to sell out in North America and so it let me know there is a market for me in Salt Lake City, even being a Black, gay artist. I’m really excited to go there again, though this time in a bigger venue where more people can come and experience the concert.
Congrats on your dream home. Did you film some clips in your latest videos there? You must still be in that “honeymoon” phase. What are you enjoying most about it?
What I enjoy the most is that it allows me a place to relax. In my prior homes, I tried to make them a live/workspace, which I now realize is not for me, though it works for some people.
I’m so glad I did it at a time in my career where I was trying to grow, and now I’m in a place that I feel comfortable. I’m still always evolving as an artist but now I feel settled and I don’t need to have a “Crabs in the Barrel” mentality.
I really like the fact that my home feels like a “home” space and doesn’t feel like a studio or a set, and I try my hardest to not do much work there. With that being said, I was really excited to show off the house. Everything I’ve done in my career has been unconventional, and rather than giving my fans a house tour I decided to write an anthem (“Dick This Big”) that was the ultimate middle-finger to my haters, but with a Great Gatsby flair. I decided to shoot the entire video in my home, which not a lot of people can say the can do.
And finally, how’s that adorable puppy of yours?
She’s great. I’m always nervous because I take being a pet owner very seriously as it feels like such a huge commitment. And if you go through my rolodex of men I’ve dated, they would confirm I have cold feet about committing.
But I’ve always wanted a dog, and people who follow me closely know that 301 is my lucky number. My first apartment that I got on March 1, 2011, when I moved to LA, was apartment 301 and March 1 is 3/01. My second apartment that I lived in was 301. My producer is in unit 301. . . it’s been an ongoing thing, this recurring number. And when I got this dog I asked for her birth date — they told me March 1, 2021, exactly 10 years after I moved to LA. Some people believe in coincidences; I believe it’s a sign and that she was supposed to be mine.
What is your favorite summer activity? Disneyland.
What’s one thing about you that surprises people? I love country music and I can yodel.
If you were stranded on a tropical island what two things would you want with you? Life Savers Gummies and Vanilla Bean Noel Lotion from Bath and Body Works.
What is the first thing you notice about someone when you first meet? Their smile.
First celebrity crush? Jason Weaver from “Smart Guy.”
What’s something you could eat for a week straight? Cinna Sticks from Domino’s.
Fish . . . cooked or raw? Cooked.
Ice cream or snow cone? Ice cream.
What do you do to relax? Watch musicals.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently? Someone broke into my house and stole all my Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags but didn’t take any of my shoes. I’m a bit offended! I took that as a sign I must get better shoes!
If there’s a spider in your house, do you kill it or set it free? Set it free. #JusticeForCharlottesWeb
What’s the most boring thing ever? (Hopefully not these questions!) Watching straight people watching sports.