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Right now, I'm working on my "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the
World-Volume 1" project. It's a one-man show and it's been the most fun
I've had in years in the creative process. I'm debuting a piece of it this
weekend in New York but the real McCoy doesn't go up until September due to my
touring schedule. I'm really excited about the music. I haven't written in what
seems like ages.
2.) Does that leave much time for a personal life?
No, it doesn't. But I try to make it my business to keep my relationships deep
and meaningful and make it a priority to escape and be alone when I can to take
things in. Relationships are so important. I think there is a part of us that
dies inside when those needs aren't met.
3) What motivates, moves you to achieve your many
accomplishments?
5.) Have you found it more difficult being an
"out" performer in any area?
I was an actor/singer/dancer in New York City for years before I got my break.
The only reason I might be more successful than the next guy is because I've
fallen on my ass a hell of a lot more times than he has. Rejection is an OLD
friend of mine. You grow thick skin in show business and the difficulties I
encounter now as a result of being "out" are truly laughable in
comparison to the horrible rejections performers have to endure every single day
on auditions. Casting directors and choreographers in NY and LA can be just
wicked sometimes with little regard for peoples feelings.
That reminds me very quickly of Madonna's auditions in the early nineties for
one of her tours. She was SO considerate of dancer's feelings. You could tell it
bothered her to tell people that they were not exactly what she was looking for.
This kind of consideration is a rarity unfortunately. You could just tell she'd
been there.
6.) What advice would you send to GLBTI youth with regard
to being out and successful?
Love and hard work are the only things that matter in this world. There isn't
time for anything else.
You know who has been supportive of me to my surprise, actor Erik Estrada. I went through my conservatory in New York (because he attended the same school years before) having all of my professors thinking I was his son! I didn't find this out until graduation and what a laugh that was. It's so ironic now that we are in contact and supportive of me. It's like having a Hollywood dad!
8.) What is the best part of your life at this time?
The appreciation I get for my work onstage and in the studio. When you're a
chorus boy, which I have been all my life, it's expected of you to hit a high C,
and to be able to kick your ear and do three pirouettes with little to no
praise. Now I perform and I am so much more appreciated. Like when I was
auditioning for Broadway shows in the 90s I'd be too "pop" or when I
was a scratch vocalist for the Back Street Boys I was "too Broadway."
I used to get that a lot. My acting coaches told me that I was "too
animated" or "too silly onstage." Now I never hear that. All of a
sudden it's called my style. It's great.
9.) What is the worst part of your life at this time?
I once heard Tina Turner have a moan about how lonely it was on the road and I
used to be like, "whatever." But it is! She's right!!! It can be very
lonely. And as lovely as the people are from city to city they can never replace
your home, your dog and your family and friends. Not in that order! But you know
what I mean? That's the worst part of it. Oh, and the other part is having to
watch what I eat. I hate that. I'm Mexican. We eat when we are happy and we eat
when we are sad. It's my birthright and I've been stripped of it. I'm pretty
bitter. It's all about those lovely tortillas-a staple in the Jade Esteban
Estrada diet. Please don't tell anyone.
12.) Regarding equality issues we as a community have a distance to go, in
what areas do you feel we need to grow regarding equality within our own GLBTI
community?
Well, within our own community, we have to practice what we preach and really
take a hard look at our own tolerance for diversity. We sing the song of
diversity on a stage that says "no lesbians allowed." It doesn't make
sense. I have met many prominent gay men and who are very prejudiced against
women and transgender people. I think that everyone should take a good look at
the leaders they are following so that they don't blindly stand behind something
they don't believe in.
13.) Considering your busy schedule, how do you stay in touch with your
following, fans?
On the road, I always stop and talk. Some people I've met have traveled far and
wide to see me and as Charo once told me regarding her fans, "this is my
real family." She's right. So I make it my business to get to know as many
people as I can when I'm on the road. If I weren't doing this I'd be a reporter
or an interviewer because I love hearing peoples stories. Barbara Walters and
Oprah have THE best job. I love to hear what's important to them. You'd be
surprised how interesting some people's lives are. You'd be surprised what you
can learn from them. People you might never ever hear of.
14.) I understand you are working on your second album, "Passions"
with DJ Lucho and songs by Skott Freedman, tell us something of this exciting
project. When will "Passions" be released?
I am looking at a late summer release in the U.S. It will first be released in
Europe which is what I did with the ANGEL CD. I love working with DJ Lucho. He's
such a talent and Skott Freedman is a musical God. I love him and we are very
good friends. I'm doing a few of his songs on the album and I hope to do them
justice. I am very proud of my ANGEL CD and I love the work that we ended up
with but I want PASSIONS to be even hotter. I am making sure it reflects the
best me right here and right now. I want it to be sexier and more heartfelt. I'm
looking forward to performing the new stuff onstage this year.
15.) As the award winning "Prince of Pageantry" who has
brought positives to the industry, what would you have to say to those who feel
beauty pageants are not a positive role for young women? In that pageants are
considered to place beauty over skills.
Women are beautiful. Pageants are a celebration of beauty and are a fantastic
opportunity to bring girls out of their shell so that they can feel good about
themselves. Women have the power of looks and brains. Why not use them both?
Critics of pageantry have not seen all the wonderful things it has done for many
girls first hand like I have. Sappho once said this of women and how quickly the
world forgets!
18.) What do you do to relax?
I read books. I stretch and I spend time on my own away from distraction. I go
to Central Park here in New York as much as I can. What a great idea that was. I
also have a weekly column that is published internationally called THE JADED
VIEW. I can't tell you how nice it feels to be just a guy with an opinion
sometimes. It's very relaxing and I am grateful to share the experiences I see
in my travels around the world.
19.) In your opinion, what has been your most notable achievement?
My keynote speech at the OutFront Minnesota Statewide Conference in Brainerd,
Minnesota last year and standing with Melissa Etheridge and RuPaul and the Pet
Shop Boys with the BEING OUT ROCKS project for the Human Rights Campaign this
year. I want to help the younger generation take the human race to the next
level. Young people need our support. I think having fame and not using it is
just vulgar.
20.) Would you take a few moments to tell us about the causes which you
support?
Marriage Equality. AmFAR. Human Rights Campaign. LLEGO.
21.) There is quite a bit of discourse regarding GLBTI press in our
community. Many feel that advertising dollars take strong priority over content
and community support. What is your opinion on this subject? Is there a
responsibility factor here in your opinion?
Many years ago…and I mean a long time ago. Kings and queens ruled the world.
Everything in the country would honor them. Times have changed but the idea has
not. Now we are subjects in the kingdom of capitalism. Corporate kings and
queens rule the land and that is a fact of our era. There's no getting around
that. Does the media have a responsibility in my opinion to balance empowering
editorial with colorful sexy ads? Yes. They are the voices for us. They unite
us. Do I think they overdo it with the sexy colorful ads? No. Not really. But I
do think they could get more good editorial in there. They let us in on how the
other half lives. However, publishers are independent businessmen and it would
be wrong of us to insist they change they're format. They have a right to
publish what they want. If we as readers don't like it we shouldn't buy it.
Better yet, why don't we support the publications and media that do put forth
the editorial content and community support we claim to want? Interesting
debate, I think. People only raise their standards when they are forced to think
about what is important to them. So it's cool that we are talking about it.
22.) What advice would you have for artists just getting started?
Take advantage of your nearby resources like the local theatre. The best acting
school you could ever go to is the one that gets you onstage in front of an
audience. Getting cast in the local theatre production does not cost anything.
Go to the library to learn about other artists and their crafts so you can
narrow down what exactly you would like to do within the performing arts. Most
importantly the most important bit of advice that I have is "ASK QUESTIONS,
ASK QUESTIONS, ASK QUESTIONS! If you notice all those things are free.
23.) What would be your solution to end the separatism which exists within
our GLBTI community?
Communication. Communication and yet more communication.
Learn more about Jade Esteban Estrada, performance information, and CD's available at his website.
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