When your phone rings and it’s Elton John on the line—again—it’s safe to say you’re no longer a newcomer. But for this Missouri-born artist, fame isn’t the goal. Music is a survival tool, theater is second nature, and queerness isn’t a trend—it’s a truth.
Raised in the shadow of Ozarks churches and lit by the footlights of high school musicals, he found salvation not in sermons, but in songs. A childhood obsession with Rent and Glee offered early proof that queer stories belonged center stage. Now, years later, he’s crafting his own—equal parts raw, radiant, and resistant.
As he joins Cyndi Lauper on the final leg of her tour and releases a fiercely honest debut album, the rising star reflects on what it means to create without compromise, to find God in the margins, and to perform without losing yourself in the spotlight. Recovery, rebellion, and resonance—all wrapped up in a voice that refuses to be quiet.
This is the story of an artist who’s not asking for permission. He’s already up to no good—and Elton approves.
Growing Up After Elton
Yeah, I definitely lean into the theatrical. I grew up in theater, so it’s second nature for me.
I’m actually from Missouri—the Ozarks. I’m there right now. It was… interesting growing up in a place with so many churches and so much dogma. But I was kind of lucky in my nuclear family. We weren’t fundamentalist or evangelical, although that was definitely the backdrop of my life and the world I was in.
So I had two things happening at once. But I started doing theater when I was really young—and, as you know, everyone’s gay as hell in theater—so I had a community around me from a very young age. That probably saved my life, to be honest.
I was lucky. When I was little, Glee came out when I was 11. And I was obsessed with Rent when I was like 8 or 9, which is kind of funny in retrospect. So I knew gay people existed. I knew there were spaces where they were accepted. I never really feared that I’d have to hide who I was. I was lucky to be born when I was—and so many people paved the way for me to be able to live openly like that.
When it comes to art, I never hid. I started writing songs really young, and I never masked anything. I don’t take that for granted—because for decades, pretty much every gay artist had to.
Elton John has been really encouraging to me, especially during this album process. He really loves this album, which is just a gift. He calls me pretty regularly now—just, as he says, to make sure I’m “up to no good.”
On Touring with Cyndi Lauper
She didn’t call me personally, but I know she asked for me, which is so special. My set will be a good mix of older songs and new ones from the album. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed—at least I hope not!
Opening is interesting, because most of the audience doesn’t know who you are. So you’re kind of introducing yourself for the first time. I always keep that in mind—I’m there to serve the audience and make sure it’s an unforgettable night. This is the last leg of her tour, and I don’t take that lightly.
Being an Opening Act
That’s a good question. I actually find it exciting to get in front of a room full of people who don’t know me—and trick them into falling in love with me. It’s a fun challenge.
And there’s way less pressure. When it’s your own show, it’s like throwing a party at your house. But when you’re the opener, you just show up, help your friend throw their party, and go home. You don’t have to clean up. You just show up, have fun, and leave. As the opener, your job is to get the crowd ready.
On the Music, the Process
This album is unlike anything I’ve made before. I wrote it over three years, mostly with one producer—Mike Sabbath. We went on these little adventures around the world, spending 72 hours at a time side-by-side, writing songs. Two and a half years later, there was an album.
There were tons of songs written, but deep down, I just knew which ones were right. Even when it confused other people, I had this instinct. I was super protective of this record. I was hell-bent on making sure my debut album was 100% me—and I’m grateful I had a team that let me do that. What you hear is my uncompromised artistic vision.
His Most Inspiring Song
It depends on the day. Lately, especially playing shows, I’ve really loved performing “God Bless.” I wrote it in 2022 and never imagined it would feel more relevant now—but here we are.
It’s not an ironic song. People ask, “How can you be gay and sing about spirituality?” And I’m like—that’s not a contradiction. The sad part is that people think it is.
“Pluto” is another one I love. It’s really special, even though it’s vocally brutal to sing. It’s got this powerful energy between me and the audience that I never get tired of.
Writing as Salvation While Touring
I did three tours in less than two years. It was intense. But writing saved me. That’s where I was honest with myself, where I explored everything I was feeling. I don’t think I could have made it through without that outlet.
You Take the Good with the Bad in the Industry
The music industry keeps surprising me. Honestly, I don’t think anyone really wants me to do exactly what I want to do. That’s just the truth. It’s not shade—it’s just the reality.
What I’ve learned is that I have to know who I am all the time so I can explain that to the people helping me. When I’ve strayed from that, things got messy—like a marketing team promoting a version of me that wasn’t me. But I don’t blame them. It’s my job to stick up for myself.
It’s a business. They’re selling music. But I try not to get lost in that sauce. I stay focused on the creating and the performing—because holy cow, that’s enough.
On Success
I used to have a totally different idea of success. But now, success is just honoring who I am, and sharing that. And that’s actually really hard to do.
Taking Care of Health While on Tour
I have an incredible band. We’re basically family. We take care of each other.
I have a pre-show routine and stay active, even though I don’t like working out. But I love running around on stage, so I do what I have to.
But the biggest part of staying healthy is what I do after the show. Performing is like taking the biggest dose of any drug—it’s electric. And I have to be super intentional about grounding myself afterward. That’s where addiction creeps in for a lot of artists—you want to keep the high going.
But I’m in the recovery phase of my life now. So I’m trying to be present, and grounded.
On Recovery
I’m in the baby stages, so I’m learning everything. I’m learning that there’s another way to live—without addiction. I don’t know exactly what it looks like yet. But I’m curious, and I’m learning.
On Faith
I identify as someone who loves the Divine—and who believes and disbelieves at the same time. I love that Maya Angelou quote where she says, “When people say they’re Christian, I say ‘Already?’”
As someone who’s queer and who writes a lot about God, I get that it’s tricky. So many people in our community have been hurt by spiritual abuse. But one of my purposes is to challenge that.
I’ve basically gone through a self-guided seminary the last few years, trying to find the truth in all the bullshit. What I’ve found is that religion belongs to the oppressed. Always. Every major religion came from that. So when it’s co-opted by governments and institutions, it’s not religion anymore—it’s something else. If it’s being used to hurt people, it’s not spiritual. It’s the opposite.
So if you’re queer and feeling spiritual, please know—it’s your birthright.
FYI
This may sound ironic, but I don’t want the music to be about me. I make music to save my own life, but I want listeners to think about their journey when they hear it—not mine.
I’m not into this culture of worshipping people. That’s something I’ve learned in recovery, too—anything can be turned into an idol, but very few things are actually worthy of worship.
So yeah—don’t look at me. Look at the songs.
On Relationships
I’m not in one. I’m actively dating myself—and it’s going okay.
Hoping for a Long Career
I don’t ever see myself stopping. Whether it’s 30,000 people or just me in a ditch with a microphone—I’ll be performing.
On Being Queer
I love Oscar Wilde. And if I’m not mistaken, the word “queer” was first used as a slur against him. So to me, queerness is punk. It’s anything that isn’t the mold. Anything that challenges the mold.
Queerness functions as a mirror—it exposes all these constructs that are harmful not just to queer people, but to everyone. That’s why it’s essential.
Jake Wesley Rogers is coming to the PNW as Cyndi Lauper comes through One last time. August 17th at the Whitewater Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
