Arts & Entertainment
Out gay singer Wils drops new song about hookup culture
Pop recording artist Wils, who was dropped by his record label after coming out as gay, has bounced back with a new single about the loneliness of the hookup lifestyle.
Wils, one of the first out gay professional singers from Singapore, this week released his latest pop track and music video,”Empty,” which provides a personal look into the often-underrepresented loneliness that pervades the search for love amidst hookup culture. A pensive song that personalizes some of the hardest parts of looking for love when the surrounding culture emphasizes casual sex and downplays meaningful connection, it springs from the singer’s intention to create art with the purpose of letting audiences feel like they belong.
Of the new single, Wils says, “Sometimes the biggest challenge we have to face is the internal struggle we have with ourselves. ‘Empty’ is about facing that loneliness when we’re looking for love outside of ourselves instead of within ourselves.”
Wils’ built his musical career in Singapore, where a law named section 377A of the Penal code criminalizes sex between consenting adult men. Same-sex couples in Singapore are also forbidden from adopting children and are not protected from workplace discrimination. The singer achieved viral international success with his breakout single “Hola,” but when he used another single, “Open Up Babe,” which debuted on Billboard Pride, to come out as gay in March, his Asian record label dropped him. They also closed all his social media accounts – causing him to lose his 400k+ followers – as retaliation for his coming out. Wils subsequently released “Open Up Babe” independently, along with a video for the song starring his boyfriend.
“Empty” is Wils’ first release since this life-changing shift.
According to his press bio, Wils “is a pop recording artist who, as one of the first out gay professional singers from Singapore, imagines a world where LGBTQ people around the world see themselves represented in the media.”
“Growing up, I used to hide my sexuality because I felt like being gay was wrong,” the singer elaborated. “I didn’t feel like I belonged and I never knew how to find my community. It was terrifying to grow up hiding like that. I hope that LGBTQ-inclusive media and art will help others that feel underrepresented understand that it’s okay to be gay.”
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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