Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz recently delved into his personal journey with bisexuality during an episode of Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast, shedding light on his experiences since publicly acknowledging his LGBTQ+ identity in 2018.
Reflecting on his upbringing in Virginia, Mraz recounted being raised on a conservative street where he faced challenges due to societal norms and his reserved nature. He shared with Ferguson that his high school experience was marked by bullying and a lack of sexual exploration, influenced by the conservative environment surrounding him.
“I grew up on a very conservative street, where my high school mascot was a confederate symbol,” Mraz said. “I didn’t really have too many sexual experiences in high school. I was very reserved and shy.”
Even after relocating to New York City as an adult, Mraz admitted he struggled with confidence in navigating his bisexuality and romantic interactions.
“Skinny, scrawny, 18-year-old kid in New York, I don’t even know what to flirt with, who to flirt with, how to flirt,” Mraz shared. “The romance in my songs was just copying other romance in songs, like, these are things that you sing about to please others.”
It wasn’t until Mraz moved to California that he found acceptance within a supportive community that saw and appreciated him for who he truly was. However, he acknowledged the lingering influence of his conservative upbringing, which initially made it challenging to fully embrace his identity.
“At the same time, I still took with me the conservative street that I grew up on, and that was hard to ignore or break out of,” Mraz explained. “I was very shy and scared of what my family would say or what my hometown would think.”
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Despite having supportive parents, Mraz revealed that he hesitated to fully express his sexuality due to societal stigma and the fear of becoming a target.
“In the ’90s, being gay was the punchline of a joke, and I didn’t want to be the punchline of a joke,” he recalled. “I kept my nose down and figured out ways I could instead get out and see the world one day.”
Mraz emphasized that his journey of self-acceptance has been transformative, noting that he feels a profound sense of love and acceptance for himself today, which he believes will enrich his future relationships.
“While I haven’t found love yet, I feel so much love for myself,” Mraz said optimistically. “That can only enhance the next relationship or a relationship when I find one.”
Throughout his career, Mraz has navigated various facets of fame and personal growth, including his notable achievements in music and his recent participation in Dancing With the Stars, where he finished as the runner-up in Season 32. His music career spans eight studio albums and includes chart-topping singles such as “I’m Yours” and “Lucky,” a Grammy-winning collaboration with Colbie Caillat in 2009.
As Mraz continues to explore and share his journey, he hopes to inspire others navigating similar paths of self-discovery and acceptance.
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