Gay Pop Star On Coming Out: “I Couldn't Have Become A Real Artist Until I Learned To Accept Myself.”
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Growing up in a conservative Jewish household, singer and songwriter Ari Gold was taught that boys should act like stereotypical boys and that gay acts were a sin. This profoundly affected Ari and stayed with him through college, at which point he realized that he could never truly succeed as an artist unless he were honest to himself and others.
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Rest In Peace Ari ❤️ Your were a kind talented soul ✨
Oh wow, that's sad to read.
Did he die?
@@khalidmili yes, leukemia
I watch this now in Holland. I see such a strong talented gorgeous guy and find out in these comments he died i guess about a year ago from leukemia. So beautiful and young. So bad and sad. Speechless.
His father’s words at the end of his speech... Now I’m crying.
I just saw this and remembered he voiced the singing voice in 1 of my fav cartoons from the 80’s when i was a kid. I just went to look him up and it said he passed away yesterday 2-14-2021. So sad as he was talented and a beautiful man
I'm so glad ImFromDriftwood still exists. I remember watching it back in 2010 when I was a young teenager who hadn't yet come out. Now I am open about my sexuality and it is wonderful. I look back on these videos with fondness.
I didn't start watching ImFromDriftwood until my mid 30s or about 5 years ago. I didn't come out until 28, live in a rural area and don't see other LGBT people that often so I like to hear about others stories. I'm semi open about my sexuality where I live, but it's hard to find like-minded people so it gets lonely where I live so these stories help out a lot.
Bradford D. We all go at our own pace. It might seem ridiculous, but sometimes I feel annoyed I’m not more open about my sexuality: even though I’m out to all my friends and only 21, I still feel anxious and avoid disclosing it to new people. Have a good life :)
I don't hide my orientation where I live, but I'm not super open either. Some people have probably heard through gossip with people I know as my friends know I don't care if they out me to someone (depending on who the person is). Some people that don't really know me or my friends think I'm straight and that makes it harder to meet anyone whether to be friends or date. I just turned 39 and it can be hard sometimes, but I try to stay positive. I wish you the best in life also. 🤗
Bradford D. Where do you live? I’m just curious.
Coming out to anyone is incredibly brave. The strength involved in us LGBT people just living our lives is amazing.
I live in Louisiana and the town I live in is pretty tolerant. The daughter of one of my mom's friends brought her girlfriend to prom a couple of towns over around 10 years ago.
#RIP ARI GOLD - MY CONDOLENCES! A TRUE MAVERICK & ENTERTAINER!! I WAS LITERALLY WATCHING YOU READ YOUR COMING OUT LETTER FROM WHEN YOU WERE A TEENAGER -ON MY IPAD- AND ON MY CELLPHONE -READING ON TWITTER THAT YOU PASSED AWAY JUST HOURS AGO EARLIRR TODAY! WOW COULDNT BELIEVE IT… STAY BLESSED PRIMO!! GOD BLESS YOU!!💐💐💐
RIP Ari. Thank you for your talents.
My father bought me literally the biggest dollhouse in the store when I was 7 and yeah, he is a beautiful soul and yeah, we are still super close and I'm 33 now... Thanks, dad! I love you.
Sounds Like Your Parents Won't you too be GAY that's so Sad
@@Madamemedusa1986 Hahaha... yeah, I'm the one that's being disgusting here. Shure... why don't you shut the fuck up and go troll somebody else you idiot?
@@IWillHarvestYourToes
That's lovely to read.
Oh, wow. Cool. Was it on his own accord or did you ask for it?
@@shanec9840 Oh, man... I was asking for it! I wasn't shy about it, I was begging for it haha... and the best thing is that my straight friends (boys and girls) all played with me and we had so much fun. I had matchbox cars, guns and video games but we always ended up playing with barbies lol
I'm lucky, my parents were "hippies" and free thinkers. They let me dress up as a princess when I was like 4. Yeah, they loved me unconditionally and now, that my mother is gone I take care of my old man, and he loves my boyfriend because he can see how happy I am that I have somebody to love. I wish that every queer LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters could have an easy, safe and loving family life that I havre.
If I never adopt children I will leave all my money for LGBT+ youth charities.
The contradictory garbage so many of us had to deal with while growing up, both straight and gay. Do't play with that doll, here play with this GI Joe. I have old 8mm movies of when I was just shy of 1 year old, my first Christmas. Don't know who the little girl in the film was but she had gotten a complete toy kitchen set including a 1940's looking, top loader barrel style washing machine with a working press ringer, the ones that has a reciprocating spindle in the middle. There was a handle on the side which made the spindle rock back and fourth. I was born with good mechanical skills and was fascinated as to how you turned the crank around and around but the spindle went back and fourth. I was told to stop playing with the girls toys and go play with the boys toys which consisted of a coloring book and a set of Lincoln Logs which was a bit above my skill level at 11 months. Playing with that toy for just a minute is still one of the earliest memories I have. I think I would have gone into mechanics much earlier if they had let me continue to try and figure that toy out. I never openly came out to my parents, although after Dad passed away, I'm pretty sure Mother figured it out when I introduced her to my "room mate" and eventual husband who passed away a year ago (34 years after we met). I miss him so much.
I'm sure your story would make a wonderful "Driftwood" video clip. Thanks for sharing.
@@markmh835; check this UA-cam video ua-cam.com/video/HvzLCv-HaGQ/v-deo.html
I had a GI Joe... woof, he was HOT!
@@stevedgrossman lol, me too I'm." Mission accomplished, good work men"
Wow, I love your story. My parents are gone too and never knew about myself. I wish I could go back 40 years and read this guy's letter to my family. Maybe I could of found the true love for me as you did. I'm sorry for your lost...
An 18 page coming out note! I’m glad your came around.
Beautiful story of resilience and acceptance! It’s hard to live your truth truthfully, you had the courage to do it with your faith and family intact! Great and inspiring!
Amazing interview!! Thank you!
Leave it to “religion” (doesn’t matter which one) to make people feel bad about themselves. Glad you ‘educated’ your family.......sounds like they really needed it.
Fuck yess Tim Slater!!
It is not the religion, it is the humans that form and shape that religious group and view.... There are plenty of religions that include LGBT+.... and one could even have the theory: Jesus as well as KIng David not being straight. It is all in the holy books as well.... So it has to do with power, the power to play boss over other peoples lives. Like the temple cleansing which was what got JC crucified. Power and wealth, capitalism.
@@schiffelers3944 That's like saying: It's not the gun that kills, it's the.... Boring. Sky Faerie's not real and of course there are lovely people in religion, but believing in crap is never good. It stops those in it, to see and then act upon reality. Climate change for the one that will eventually kill us off but with most life, as like the time of the dinosaur death and that religious set don't really give a shit.
Those religious texts are very brutal yanno and because there are those who don't subscribe to many parts of the texts (cherry pick,) doesn't make it right, yanno?
@@Mcfreddo The what? People? Bullets?
I didn't say there were no darling people in religions, I also didn't say religions are all rotten to the core.
I didn't talk about sky faeries, but nice to know your views. Who decides what is "crap"? And what is shit to some, is fertilizer to others. Yes some religious texts are brutal, but they are written and translated by men. Men can be brutal.
So putting things in context could be seen as "cherry picking". To people that take it all as literal.
@@schiffelers3944 its the religion that twists peoples brains..unindoctrinated parents dont disown their children
Thanks for sharing your story. We need to hear these stories from each other. It helps.
Excellent video and very inspiring. Go Bronx!
I saw Ari Gold during his performance at Providence Pride, love him, his show and standing up for all of us
Thank you for sharing this. What a beautiful story, And as a doll collector I love the first part a lot!
A simple yet inspiring message powerfully conveyed.
It wasn't easy for you Ari. Hope you are at Peace.God Bless you
Very well spoken and obviously a highly intelligent young man with a wonderful story to share. Thank you! I have had a lot of close Jewish friends over the years and all accepted and embraced me without any judgement what-so-ever. The first ones who befriended me were a very prominent and successful husband and wife couple, who owned a furniture store in my hometown and were close in age to my parent's. I went into their establishment as a customer and came out as their friend!!! They gave so much validity to me and had a positive and profound effect on my life. To think this highly regarded couple brought me into their inner circle of friendship was astounding, especially back in the late 1960's in Ohio!!!
Sadly I just read that Ari Gold passed away from leukemia on February 14, 2021
Well the title already reflects on me. There was so much lack of progress for my skills because of guilt to say the least.
So sorry to hear today of your passing! So sad.
RIP Ari 🤍
I haven't seen him in years. My mother used to remind me when people say boys don't play with dolls, that toy soldiers and GI Joes ARE DOLLS!!!!
Gorgeous man
Crazy that we live in a world where grown people still care what other grown people do with their love lives, simply baffling.
beautifully expressed!
beautiful hair. my dad took a doll from me and threw it in the room with our chihuahua and it tore it to shreds. that night, I told my dad I just wish I had been born a girl and he told me to never be ashamed to be a man. this world, this world.
So sad! He passed away today, after a long illness! A very talented musician!
He was so talented. I miss him.
RIP Ari Gold! Hearing your story was a great pleasure! Hopefully you are resting peacefully now!
I’m Baptist and I got the, it’s ok to be gay, but you just can’t BE gay, speech. 🤔
Great story.... now, I want to hear the music!!!
Rest in eternal peace as I am sure you are and thank you the music 🎧
People........no family and friends react so differently, I got a mattress in the garage and my own plate cup knife and fork......and 3 months to make alternative arrangements I was 15 3 months before 16. Thanks mom and dad.
The child-adult paradigm is one that must be fully understood on a personal basis by those of us who have suffered with developmental issues from an early age. My child waited for me...the adult, to become aware enough of long standing issues to begin to tackle them and achieve positive results. Then, in a moment of surreal imagery, he joined with me.
My road ahead still has challenges. Feeling 'whole' again has renewed my faith in what is possible.
When we plan for the future we expect a perfect outcome; young parents see their small children in 20 years time married and with children of their own; it doesn't always work out that way; fortunately, society has started to adjust to the fact that sons and daughters, brothers and sisters can be gay---an occurrence that does no harm to the family.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I been a fan for a long time & more now after listening to your struggles & triumph. Wishing you health, prosperity, but most of all I wish you love.... Abrazos
Beautiful story 💜
So many of us wanted to ask for toys that we knew right from an early age "would be wrong" to ask for. I wrote a song for LGBTQ choirs (Tenor Bass arrangement) called "The What's Under The Christmas Tree For Me Blues"....Oh how I wanted that Easy Bake Oven!
He is beautiful!!! I'm happy for him.
18 pages.............. id be crying .......from boredom .
I don't know what it is about Jewish men, but I'm so attracted to them.
Mel Brooks? Just joking. Listen, I'm heterosexual but even I have to admit the guy is damn good-looking!
'Star' or not, everyone story is important. Why so few views/likes... kudos Sir, just be yourself, be happy, be safe. Hope you have a great life. x
I thought the same thing. Why so little views?
"'Star' or not,"? That's pretty snarky for someone who seems to be trying to say something positive.
Truth is I don`t know who he is either but it really doesn`t matter to the message, does it? I thought Ari Gold was the name of the asshat manager on the Entourage but I`ll go check him and his music out now...gotta support someone so inspiring and brave and help him keep that inner child fed .
fund more time, and checked his UT channel - honest and open guy ua-cam.com/video/L6QrMIibRRY/v-deo.html - wish him well. though would love to see a video of him with a life partner on his channel
Thanks 🙏 for your story
Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.
I’m a fan of Ari Gold and listen to him in the mid 2000s I enjoyed his music a lot 🥰
I am a huge fan of Ari Gold. I am in my late fifties and I still club it up occasionally to listen to his musical lol
A beautiful guy.... inside and outside
Wow I really like this guy and his story. He has a good head on his shoulders and spoke so nicely. Wish him the best.
Damn I’m here to hear a story and see people views on it and all I see “omg he’s so cute” “hottie”. “I need a husband” like tf?? He’s telling his life story not tryna hookup with y’all
SO? cant we compliment him? hes hot. thats it.
@@joellebrown539 Because it's shallow and superficial and shows the stigma that all gay men care about is looks and sex. Not that difficult to comprehend...unless you're stupid.
@@Rage_Harder_Then_Relax bruh anyway stream Levitating by Dua Lipa ft. Dababy for clear skin 💅
Your brother knew you were gay, but was trying to talk you out of it. He also was telling you he loved you. He may have not fully comprehended his behavior.
Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing.
Great emotionaliteit story. Good to hear you have struggled but managed to push through. You should be proud of who YOU become. All the more reason to love yourself dearly....,..
I was obsessed with Annie (Lennox)...
Beautifully expressed.
Kudos to you for getting your family to sit through an 18 page letter! Coincidentally I said almost exactly the same thing to my dad re “I’m the same person you had lunch with a few hours ago”
Such a powerful message from such a handsome, talented, successful man. You are the same Ari, my hero.
WTF?!? Keep getting some crap “playback error” message when I try to watch 🤬. Please fix
Thanks for you message and good luck with all the things you are going to do with your talents.
Wonderful!
I sure think the world of you. Thank you Ari
Rest in Peace Ari
He sounds like Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.
Pop star? Who is he?
I love you and your music, Ari 😘
Terrific. That took some guts to do. 😊
People are ridiculous with the way they're so concerned with what they're family thinks of them being gay. If they don't like it then fuck them and move on. If they like it then fine... just stop agonizing over it.
I got the physical scars of that religion, and sadly it seems Ari got the psychological scars from it.
I see that copy of Middlesex there. I see you, Ari ;D
Mazal Tov sweetheart!! So proud of you. Such a mensch!! You are such a gift to your fam. What nonsense: "You can be gay but not act apon it" is the only way the religious community can reconcile gayness in some sorta way besides the complete banishment which makes them look irrelevant! And all those great Rabbinical minds using all their scholastic & academic intellect & thats the best they can come up with - look but dont touch?!?! WTF - human sexuality IS NOT intellectual so using the intellect to figure this stuff out by definition wont provide a true good real live-able answer. But really - its like saying yes be hungry but dont eat (also VERY Jewish BTW - LOL). G-d dont make junk. You are entitled to have a fully explored sexual life. Its stuff that we all know but other parts of society are slow learners babe, Big Ups to you XX
Incredible and Awesome story...
This reminded me of Hernando from sense8. My coming out bothered people but apparently everyone assumed I'd be suddenly farting glitter. When they learned that I was the same guy from when I was straight they were like "oh......cool". My friends call me the straightest gay guy ever. Whenever I tell somebody I have a boyfriend they are completely overtaken by pure shock and it's always good for a laugh.
You obviously have good family. Gay - not gay should ultimately be a big deal, after you grow.
Yeah. He can is a hot one. Great family he has.
I just want his shirt.
Lovely story, Ari.
Child, I thought that was Shia labeouf from the clip.
OMG, he is SOOOOOO cute! Come to Israel, I need a husband!
Come to the USA! I Need a husband! ;-)
Lmao he is kinda cute
Come to Holland--I'll give you my husband!
I always wanted to visit isarieal
He is adorable.
As a kid I loved dirt, bugs, climbing trees and playing power rangers but I was a fan of my little ponies.
OMG I love Annie and always will. She is Amazing!
this is my first time seeing you and I'm interested in hearing your content. are you on twitter and instagram?
My oldest brother pretty much thinks that too and about other LGBTQ people ☹
Love you l'am a Black man from South Carolina I'd understand I'd met someone one they tell me to love my self first and that will help you.
LUV ARI GOLD!! CONGRATS!!
That is very profound. Nowadays that’s still happens, seeing boys playing with dolls and girls playing with action figures. It doesn’t surprise me a bit. But, to each their own, I always say. 🙂
Are you not happy to be gay? You’re special 🐰 Some may see that
I'd convert for this fellow....:)
Sorry, is it just me who thinks that referring to oneself as a "GAY Pop Star" rather than as a "Pop Star who happens to be GAY" is part of the whole problem?
I'm 64, was married, have children and grandchildren and came out in later life but not once did I consider myself to be a GAY Father, GAY Dad, GAY Grandpa but rather I am these things (and more) and simply happen to be GAY. I'm not even 'proud' to be gay, neither do I apologise for it, make excuses for it - Gloria Gaynor said it perfectly - "I am what I am".
i don't know who this star is?
Not his fault-- or ours-- that you don't follow gay pop music.
“Normal” just means near 50th percentile. It’s a statistical definition of a social construct. But you don’t really want normal. You don’t want to be half-way between happy and sad. You don’t want to be half-way between functional and abused. You don’t want to be half-way between educated and ignorant. You see, you don’t really want to be normal- you want to be exceptional.
Actually, he grew up in an ORTHODOX Jewish household. The Orthodox are the old line traditional Jews, and are generally the most homophobic in their beliefs. The two other major wings of Judaism, Conservative and Reform are much more inclusive, performing same-sex marriages, etc; So the Orthodox Jews are politically conservative, and the Conservative Jews are politically liberal.
The Torah has all the answers to life except letting him live his 🤨🤨🤨
Didn't we already know he was gay
This is more of a gay pop singer...
Handsome brother
wow he is beautiful
You are so lucky, you have no idea. You are talented, handsome, nice and accepted. Want more out of life?
Yo his cute af
I think Ari looks a bit like Sergey Lazarev