Jim Verraros (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

James Conrad "Jim" Verraros (born February 8, 1983) is an American singer/entertainer and native of Crystal Lake, Illinois who is most notable for being one of the top 10 finalists in the first season of American Idol. Because he was raised by deaf parents, he is fluent in American Sign Language.

Personal life

Verraros quickly became a celebrity in the American gay press because of a controversy that erupted when it was reported that Fox Broadcasting Company made him remove his online journal that included discussion of his homosexuality in the summer of 2002. However, Jim Verraros later stated that "it wasn't because I was gay. It was because they thought I was trying to gain more votes and have that little extra edge." While Verraros was out to fellow contestants and Idol employees, he did not mention his homosexuality on air. Following the end of the show and the subsequent tour, Verraros came out publicly in an article in The Advocate. On September 6, 2009, Verraros married his boyfriend Bill Brennan in a small ceremony in Illinois. They made it legal on July 24, 2011 in New York.

Professional career

Verraros released his album Unsaid and Understood (2004) through the indie label Red Queen Music - Sound Axis. It won the 2004 Outmusic Award for Outstanding New Recording - Debut Male.

The album was revamped and picked up by Koch Records and released as Rollercoaster (2005), Verraros' mainstream debut, which garnered several dance floor hits, including the Top 25 Billboard Hot Club/Dance Chart hit "You Turn It On." The album was produced and co-written by Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Gabe Lopez and features four songs co-written by American Idol finalist Angela Peel. The album had a limited release deal through Koch Records.

On May 27, 2009, Verraros released two new singles "Touch (Don't U Want 2)" and "Electric Love" from his third album Do Not Disturb. Both songs were produced and written by Gabe Lopez.

As an actor, Verarros is a star of the 2004 gay-themed comedy Eating Out directed by Q. Allan Brocka and produced by Ariztical Entertainment, as well as its 2006 sequel, Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds. Verraros was considered for a role on the here! series Dante's Cove. Verraros has appeared four times on The Feast of Fools podcast - once in November and December 2006 and twice in January 2007.

Verraros is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Bulls.

Filmography

• American Idol Season 1 (2002) " Himself
• Eating Out (2004) " Kyle
• Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds (2006) " Kyle
• Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! (2008) " Priest
• Copacabana (2013) " Flavio/Suzie (in production)

Discography

Albums

Album Information
Unsaid and Understood Release: 2004 Red Queen Music - Sound Axis
Rollercoaster Release: April 26, 2005 (U.S., Canada) Label: Koch Entertainment Singles: 2005: "You Turn It On", Number 21 Hot Dance Music/Club Play 2005: "I Want You" 2005: "You're Getting Crazy" 2005: "Outside" 2005: "Welcome to Hollywood"
Do Not Disturb Release: October 18, 2011

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