Nov 03, 2006  |  By: BRIAN MOYLAN  | COMMENTS     

Most people probably forgot about RJ Helton, who came in fifth in the first season of Fox’s “American Idol” back in 2002. Sure, in 2004 he released a gospel record, “Real Life,” that sold 20,000 copies, but it wasn’t like he was tabloid fodder like rumored gay “Idol” contestant Clay Aiken or recently outed pop singer Lance Bass.

Well, that was until Helton, 25, an Atlanta native who recently moved to New York by way of New Orleans, came out Oct. 18 on Larry Flick’s morning show on Sirius OutQ, the satellite radio provider’s all gay channel. That makes him the first season’s second openly gay contestant, including Jim Verraros. Helton talks about the coming out process, being kept in the closet by “Idol” and that mean old Aiken.

Washington Blade: So, what prompted your decision to come out?

RJ Helton: I wanted to be the one to tell people. I’m in a relationship, and it’s at that point now where I feel like I should not have to not go certain places and be afraid of being seen.

Blade: Well, “American Idol” was a few years ago, and people start to forget about you. Did you think if you went to gay bars they were going to write about you like they did Lance Bass?

Helton: I have been out to gay bars all over the country and there are certain newspapers and places on the internet where they will talk about me and I was seen here at the gay hotspot and that kind of thing. I didn’t want it to seem like I was trying to hide.

Blade: You’ve gotten a lot of publicity out of this — was that the motivation?

Helton: No, not at all. I didn’t want it to be some publicity stunt, because that’s not what it was for me. It’s being honest with my fans and with myself even.

Blade: You previously recorded a Christian CD. Did your faith make it harder to come out?

Helton: I think so, and I think a lot of people thought I was trying to hide behind the faith thing as a cover up. The Christian music industry completely jaded me. There’s more lying and deceit than in the mainstream industry. At least there, if you sound like shit or look like shit people will tell you, but there are so many lies in the Christian industry and so many people who I grew up listening to are gay behind the scenes. 

Blade: So, you were out when you were making Christian music?

Helton: I was out to certain people in the industry.

Blade: And they said you couldn’t be openly gay?

Helton:: Yes, that it just wouldn’t fly.

Blade: Was there any pressure from the “American Idol” producers to stay in the closet when you were on the show?

Helton: I think so. I think they want to make money off of each of us and they do, but being openly gay to them is just not going to make them money and not be what sells.

Blade: Did you tell any of the judges or producers that you were gay?

Helton: The only judge I talked to was Paula [Abdul]. I didn’t tell any of the producers. There were some assistant producers I talked to. [The producers] said, ‘You have to keep it quiet, just for a while anyway. Don’t act on it, don’t go out, just keep it quiet for right now.’

Blade: So, what do you know about Clay Aiken?

Helton: I’ve met Clay a couple of times, and other than him being extremely, extremely not friendly, I don’t know anything else about him.

Blade: Now that you’ve come out, are you going to be courting gay fans?

Helton: I would like to. I want to attract more of a gay audience as well as remaining with the fans who have stuck by me this far. I hope to have a whole new fan base with gay men.

Blade: What are you currently working on?

Helton: I’m working on an album right now, and I’ve been working on it for a year. I’m working on a book, too. It’s about my life, but there are going to be some behind the scenes things about “Idol.” I’m going to share my struggles, being gay and being in the Christian industry.