Singer Branden James has landed in the finals from NBC's America's Got Talent at Radio City Music Hall. Hailing from the Chicago auditions, James not only passed the local competition but went on to win during the Vegas round and was the final act to perform in New York closing the show recently.
His story of coming out of the closet to his conservative family has touched many viewers and put him into the spotlight. From singing in Chicago to belting it out in the Big Apple, James has proven to be one to watch.
Windy City Times spoke to him right before his major performance of Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" on the show that brought down the house and earned him a standing ovation from the judges and entire audience.
Windy City Times: Hi, Branden. I am glad we made this interview happen.
Branden James: I am, too.
WCT: Your story meant a lot to me personally. Are you from Illinois?
Branden James: I grew up in southern California, in Anaheim. I have been living in Chicago for three years now.
WCT: Is your family here?
Branden James: No, they are in California.
WCT: So your mom came to the taping?
Branden James: Yes, she flew out for the audition.
WCT: Which day did you audition on?
Branden James: I was on Friday.
WCT: I was there to watch the auditions on Wednesday so I didn't see you. How was your experience?
Branden James: It was so much fun, almost surreal. I never really had any expectations about how far I would go. I just thought I would audition for fun then just kept moving forward. I can't even believe it happened.
As far as the audition in Chicago, it was one of those lingering cold spring days. I was doing a lot of shooting outside and freezing my butt off. The audition itself was such a rush. There is not a lot of time to prepare because they are trying to get so much filming in. You really just call your name and usher you to the side of the stage. Nick Cannon is standing there and asks, "How do you feel?" He says," Good luck" then out you go. There is not a lot of time to even process what is happening.
WCT: Do you have a favorite judge?
Branden James: I don't know if I have a favorite judge but I will say that the most surprising judge for me has been Howard Stern. He's just incredibly sincere and such a nice caring person.
WCT: He looks intimidating but he is really nice.
Branden James: He does look intimidating and has this persona that everyone expects him to be so crass and probably not a nice person but it is just the opposite.
WCT: Mel B. told me that she loves the LGBT stories from the contestants like you. Did you come out of the closet recently?
Branden James: No. You know part of my story is that I never came out to my family. My mom let me know that she knew and was disapproving. It was something that is very difficult to deal with and very common. People have asked why I am playing the "gay card." I am not playing any cards. I just decided to be brave and not be ashamed of who I am. It is funny the controversy even in 2013 that this subject can stir up.
WCT: So you came out on the show?
Branden James: Well, I just told them everything about me essentially. I decided to tell them and not pretend to be someone else or hide my sexuality.
WCT: You are helping a lot of people that way being on national television. The live show is coming up?
Branden James: Yes it is.
WCT: Are you nervous?
Branden James: I am nervous but less nervous about the performance and more nervous about the anticipation of waiting around for it to come. In the wee small hours of the morning my mind is turning and doesn't want to shut off. The waiting around makes it nerve-racking.
WCT: What is your game plan for getting votes?
Branden James: I think that is definitely the hardest challenge, winning over the people at home who are voting. I have learned from this experience to just be myself and wear my heart on my sleeve. People are coming to love me so I hope I can do that, sing well, and it will be enough to put me forward.
WCT: Talk about your gigs in Chicago.
Branden James: I sing in the chorus at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. I just finished my third season. I was a part of their production of Oklahoma.
WCT: I heard that was great.
Branden James: It was. It was a great experience.
WCT: What other performances do you have coming up?
Branden James: I play at a local restaurant called Viaggio at the Park. It is in Lincoln Park close to where I live. I do that on the weekends. The Lyric's season begins soon with rehearsals starting on August 5th. It has been a busy summer.
WCT: Do you want to be involved in the gay community for fundraisers and events?
Branden James: Absolutely. Something I just participated in was the Ride For AIDS Chicago. I know you know Richard Cordova at TPAN. I was going to ride but I had so much going on that I ended up working as a crew member. I didn't want to risk getting injured. I still raised a bunch of money and was such a great feeling. I never anticipated that. It was such an amazing experience. I have had many friends in the community that have been affected by the virus so to do something that is so near and dear to my heart was wonderful. I haven't done a lot of charity work in the past but there is this sense of community and selflessness that comes when people get together and put their egos aside to do something for humanity. I would love to do more of that in the future.
There is an organization that is called Rainbow Coalition that Cyndi Lauper is head of. It is for runaway, homeless, LGBT youth. Being someone who is rejected by my family, I think it would be wonderful to work with an organization like that. These teen suicides aren't going anywhere. There was one recently in New Mexico from a kid who was bullied so I think it is still an issue that needs to be resolved. I hope to be a part of that.
Follow Branden on Twitter, his website www.brandenjames.com and watch him Tuesdays and Wednesdays on NBC's America's Got Talent. In addition, he will perform at Northalsted Market Days Saturday, Aug. 10, at 8 p.m.