Out singers who have made a splash on televised talent shows are among the headliners of this year’s Philly Pride.
Brian Justin Crum (“America’s Got Talent”), David Hernandez (“American Idol”) and Philly native Vincint (“The Four”) are preparing to have Pride spectators dancing at the main stage throughout the day.
All three singers are looking forward to entertaining the masses.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to gather with my community and celebrate,” Crum said. “I love Pride season because I get to tour and meet all the amazing LGBTQ-plus people that support me year-round.”
“It’s a time for our community to come together and celebrate who we are with each other and our allies,” Vincint said. “The perfect time and place to show our love for one another!”
“As a member of the LGBTQ-plus community, I feel connected seeing my peers spread love and acceptance for one another during a tough political climate,” Hernandez said. “Despite all of the terrible things happening in the world to our community and beyond, we can still celebrate our lives and differences. Every year the crowds get younger and younger, which shows that the message is becoming more and more clear for the masses: We are all human and all created equal. We should all have the same rights to love who we want to. Pride is the expression of that love.”
There was a time when all three of these singers were milling about in the crowd at Pride festivals instead of performing on stage.
“I have a couple memories about my first Pride. It was in New York,” Crum said. “I remember thinking how amazing it was to see people dressed in full regalia having the best time. I also remember feeling an intense amount of ‘separation.’ I remember seeing and feeling the ‘clicks.’ It has stuck with me, and I always try to talk about and practice inclusion, even just within our community. We have to support and love one another more.”
“I was raised by a mom who let me be whoever I wanted to be, so a Pride festival was my life,” Hernandez said. “Legit. The first time I attended a Pride festival, I remember seeing freedom of expression and the ability to be who you were without judgment on a wide scale. It was a beautiful thing to see and still gives me all the feels when I show up to one.”
For Vincint, being a headliner at a Pride festival in his own town is a special experience.
“It means a little bit more to me because it’s home and it’ll be my first show at home in about four years,” he said. “Being able to come back to where it all started and dance with my people is going to be amazing. My first pride was Boston Pride. I remember being so overwhelmed with emotion. It was one of the most beautiful, freeing things I had ever seen. Families, friends and lovers all together dancing and celebrating living freely.”
All three singers are currently basking in the spotlight and the heightened profile that competing on shows like “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” has afforded them. They all say their appearances on these shows have changed their lives and careers.
“It really jump-started everything,” Crum said. “It gave me an incredible platform to tell my story and share what growing up queer was like for me. The audience is widely more conservative middle Americans. I think it was the first time many of them ever connected with a gay person.”
“Being on [‘The Four’] changed so much for me,” Vincint said. “It introduced me to a brand-new audience and helped me spread my music on a grander scale. I’m forever grateful for what it’s done for me — my entire life has changed.”
Naturally, being singers with careers on the rise, all three performers have new releases ready for Pride audiences to consume.
“I’m really excited to be debuting my newest single, ‘I & U,’ which is due out mid-June, for the Philly crowd,” Crum said.
“I have a single out right now, released in April — ‘Please Don’t Fall In Love’ — and a new single out June 6 along with my EP,” Vincint said.
“Check my website, DavidHernandezOfficial.com, for upcoming tour dates and links to brand new music,” Hernandez said.
Brian Justin Crum, David Hernandez and Vincint perform June 9 at Philly Pride. For more information, visit www.phillypride.org.