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Do You Believe in Travis Garland?

A week after his American Idol performance, Perez Hilton’s latest protégé sounds off on Justin Timberlake comparisons, his Glee connection, and closeted boy banders.

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Move over, Cher, because Travis Garland is giving us new reason to “Believe.” A former member of the now-defunct boy band NLT, Garland was rediscovered via MySpace by gossip blogger-turned-music mogul Perez Hilton, who has aggressively championed the 20-year-old talent on his site and opportunely introduced him to American Idol producer Simon Fuller. Currently working with prolific producer Nate “Danja” Hills on an urban pop record scheduled for release later this year, Garland spoke to The Advocate about his Perezcious partnership and other vocal gay admirers.

The Advocate: How did you feel about your performance of “Believe” on Idol last Wednesday?
Travis Garland: I felt great, and I had a great time doing it. I’m just so proud of all the dancers, the band, and the drummers, because we worked really hard to get there and make it great, so hopefully everybody enjoyed it as much as we did.

Before you hit the stage, Perez Hilton stunned host Ryan Seacrest when he boldly claimed you were “better than Justin Timberlake.” That was quite an introduction, wasn’t it?
Yeah, it was. I’m really flattered that Perez thinks that, but I know I have a long way to go before I get to that level and I can earn that kind of comparison. It’s awesome to be compared to Justin because he’s one of my idols.

Do you want a career like Justin’s?
I always looked up to him as a kid, and I admire the way he’s done things. He’s a classy guy, and not many people in the industry have any bad things to say about him. But besides Justin, I also admire Michael Jackson’s career — the way he changed the world with music and affected billions of lives with his talent.

Have you gotten any feedback from Justin?
I have, yeah. My friend Marty Kudelka, who directed my performance on American Idol, is Justin’s choreographer and friend. Justin heard the song and wanted Marty to let me know that he liked it. That was really awesome.

I like your cover of Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams.” Do you think she’s heard it?
I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything, but I hope she likes it.

Beyoncé covers aside, I’ve gathered from following you on Twitter that you’re an out and proud heterosexual.
I am. I’m a straight man, yes.

How’s that working out for you?
It’s working out great, man. I’m dating, but I’m keeping my options open.

If you pull a Ricky Martin in 10 years, I’ll be really annoyed.

[Laughs] Not much chance of that happening.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Trevor
    Date posted: 6/1/2010 4:08:20 PM
    Hometown: Pasadena

    Comment:

    So we are supposed to embrace this guy just because PUTRID Perez is promoting him?????????? I do wish the guy luck though, because anything touched by the hands of PUTRID Perez is tainted! Great will be the day when this sleazeball is gone!

  • Name: Steve
    Date posted: 5/29/2010 3:34:23 PM
    Hometown: New Haven

    Comment:

    yes, Dublin dude, but it's a very different story here in the U.S., unfortch.

  • Name: David Wilkins
    Date posted: 5/29/2010 6:49:34 AM
    Hometown: Dublin

    Comment:

    I don't understand how you can ask the question COULD a hearthrob boyband member be out and accepted? Two members of two different boybands (Stephen Gately from Boyzone, and Mark Feehily from Westlife) both came out and were massively successful in their respective bands. Westlife can sell out 100,000 seater stadia multiple times.

  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 5/28/2010 7:48:56 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    I'm still trying to figure out who Perez Hilton is and why is he a celebrity. What has he done? I hate to sound like a critic but if this kid is going to survive in the music business he better invest in some voice lessons, dance lessons and buy pants that he doesn't have to keep pulling up. I'm not sure who his target audience is going to be, he's not musically talented enough for an adult audience yet he may too old to get a teenage audience. But anyway good luck to him.

  • Name: Shawn Jones
    Date posted: 5/28/2010 5:56:47 PM
    Hometown: Des Moines. Iowa

    Comment:

    He is soo not better then Justin Timberlake and i didnt really hear anything special in his voice at all! Not so sure is Perez Hilton is a person i really think should be choosing who can actually sing... Wasn't Perez on a celebrity singing show or something and he was absolutely horrible??? Anyways, I just dont think this guy has much more then the average person has!

  • Name: Gwen
    Date posted: 5/28/2010 2:49:10 PM
    Hometown: Philly

    Comment:

    you fools do realize this is a 3 page article, right?

  • Name: Jaye
    Date posted: 5/27/2010 8:09:37 PM
    Hometown: Delaware

    Comment:

    What exactly did he say that was even remotely homophobic. He said he was straight and he didn't see that aspect of who he is changing anytime soon. Get a grip.

  • Name: Todd
    Date posted: 5/27/2010 7:25:30 PM
    Hometown: Montorse

    Comment:

    I don't even think he's that good of a singer, didn't much like the song and the articles wasn't that great, i guess you can't win them all...

  • Name: twocents
    Date posted: 5/27/2010 4:48:49 PM
    Hometown: portland oregon

    Comment:

    I don't really care if he is straight or gay. What bugs me, and what I feel really needs answerd is this: Is he really the tip top of upcoming talent, or is this just a case of a gay gossip blogger with a CUTE but STRAIGHT MAN on his fledgling record label and the advocate swapping publicity favors? This story was fed to the advocate and it was waaaaaaay easier to regurgitate this "interview" for some positive coverage later than it was to actually go out and find someone who is worthy of the promotion AND maybe even have something to do with our community besides just being on a gay man's record label. Toss in the fact that I believe 100 % that if Travis were an UGLY STRAIGHT MAN neither Perez nor The Advocate would have wasted two minutes on him. SAD We aren't being given honest insights into music here, we are being mareketed AT. SAD again.

  • Name: Patrice
    Date posted: 5/27/2010 2:59:54 PM
    Hometown: Philly

    Comment:

    @Hector. Who made you queen bitch who gets to say JUST what this magazine should cover? I don't recall them ever declaring they would JUST cover upand coming LGBT talent. Did I miss something? What's wrong with them covering that, PLUS artists like Travis who have an LGBT connection (Perez) or artists who have a gay following. There's plenty of room on this site for everyone. Besides, read before you bitch - this is the gayest article I've ever read.



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