Grammy-winning artist Jason Mraz has opened up about his journey of embracing his queer identity in a new interview.
Since his debut in the early 2000s, the 46-year-old has remained a staple within the music sphere due to his popular songs ‘I’m Yours’ and ‘The Remedy (I Won’t Go).’
In addition to his chart-topping music, Mraz has also made waves for being an open book about his bisexuality.
In a recent chat with The Advocate, the beloved talent opened up about the difficulties he faced accepting his queer identity.
“I will admit that I probably spent the first close to 20 years of my career just broadcasting as hetero,” he explained.
“You know, saying ‘girl’ in my songs, and a lot of that is growing up on a conservative street. And growing up around homophobia and feeling like I needed to protect some secret.”
Elsewhere in his interview, the ‘Have It All’ singer revealed that songwriting helped him connect with his LGBTQ+ identity.
“I was having these curiosities and experiences on the side that were starting to influence who I am and the kind of fun I wanted to have in the world and the kind of person I wanted to be in the world, which is more honest and more loving and more inclusive,” he added.
Over the years, Mraz has remained an open book with fans regarding his queerness.
In 2005, he told Genre magazine that he was open to dating a man and even recalled a somewhat romantic relationship he had with close male friend.
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“I had a gay friend I was hanging out with just about every day. We were basically best friends. It took me about three months before I realized, ‘Oh my god, we’re dating,'” he explained.
“Right before I moved to California he gave me a pretty strong-willed kiss goodbye, which I have never experienced before. Unfortunately, he had a little bit more facial hair than I liked.”
He added: “I have a bisexually open mind, but I have never been in a sexual relationship with a man. If the right one came along, then sure.”
Thirteen years later, Mraz wrote an open letter to Billboard celebrating Pride month.
“I am bi your side./ All ways,” he wrote at the time, which resulted in fans questioning if he was coming out as bisexual.
In response to the speculation, the ‘I Won’t Give Up’ singer gave an additional statement to Billboard revealing that he was “two-spirited”.
“I’ve had experiences with men, even while I was dating the woman who became my wife,” he said.
“It was like, ‘Wow, does that mean I am gay?’ And my wife laid it out for me. She calls it ‘two spirit,’ which is what the Native Americans call someone who can love both man and woman. I really like that.”
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