We know Todrick Hall based on his various talents. Whether it be appearing on Broadway, choreographing for Rupaul’s Drag Race, or going viral from his visually stunning music videos, Todrick has earned his spot as one of the most versatile artists in Hollywood today.

While he has persevered through the hurdles he faces in showbiz, he is still finding it difficult to be taken seriously, because of his race and sexual preference.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVuNDyFQKY/

 

With racial tensions on the rise in America, Todrick believed his energy would be best served in raising awareness and being on the front lines of protesting, demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and those who have been slain at the hands of law enforcement. He reflects on this moment in his cover story with Billboard. “There were so many white people there with shirts that said, ‘Black lives matter.’ I expected there to be a ton of black people, but I was not expecting to feel so supported by so many people who live so many different lives and represented so many colors of the rainbow.” He also explains how this moment for him was transformative. “I have traveled the world and done several Broadway shows and gotten hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, but I never felt more important in my life than I did sitting in that crowd where nobody knew who I was.I think a lot of people are looking with stars in their eyes like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this might be the moment when people will actually give me a chance at winning and surviving and being able to create a family and a legacy for myself.’ ”

 

 

Todrick also lamented on his struggle as a black gay man, and expresses that he still feels like an outsider in the entertainment industry. “People have put me up on a pedestal and think that I am signed to a label and that I have management. I am blown away by their ignorance of how the industry works,” In fact, Todrick does not have a music manager, and releases his music independently. “In the next breath, I am flattered that my team and I have been able to make people believe that we are on that same level.” It doesn’t feel like so long ago that he was staging unauthorized pop-up performances around town, trying to get a break: “No one was bothering me when I was singing at the drive-through at McDonald’s and when I was dancing at Target.”

While Hall understands his place in the industry and how difficult it is to overcome stereotypes, Todrick still feels grateful for his platform. “A lot of the things that I wanted, I truly felt were impossible,” Todrick says as he reflects on his status. “[Many talented people I know] don’t believe that they can do something because they’ve never seen anybody that looks like them do it before — when that’s the reason why they should be doing it.”

Todrick Hall also spoke with Damnit Maurie via Zoom about being black and gay in America today, what Pride means to him now and so much more!

 

Check out more from Todrick Hall’s Billboard cover story “Black and Gay in America: What It’s Like to Be Todrick Hall” here.

Filed under: pride, Pride2021, Todrick Hall