In 2010, a 6th grader named Greyson Chance entered his school talent show.
“We just couldn’t believe what was happening.
A world tour followed, as did an album.
And then it all fell apart.
After his mega-successful early career came crashing down, Chance had to figure out what he wanted in life.
Keep reading to find out how he did it.
And it is a pop rock album!”
As a result, Ellen DeGeneres' record label cut him from the roster.
“when i was 15, i was dropped by my first record label,” he wrote.
“shortly after, my entire team fled, including my manager, agent, publicist, everyone.
i remember pleading with myself to keep on fighting.”
That was 2012, and over the next few years, Chance had to take stock of his future.
“I was still trying to find comfort and confidence within my own skin,” he wrote.
Still, Chance was inspired to make a public statement after receiving a touching message from a fan.
Hell, for me, it took years to write this message."
“I had been taught that if I liked boys, that was emasculating.
“I didn’t understand.”
That March, he independently released “Portraits,” which was technically his sophomore album.
Instead of making another piano-pop record, Chance pursued other musical influences, crafting a sound all his own.
“Am I going to write a record that is going to be marketable?
Am I going to write a record that might have a chance at radio?
All of these sorts of things,” he recalled wondering.
Instead, he went his own way.
Five years after its release, Chance reflected on that period of his career in an emotionalFacebookpost.
He wrote, “it’s not about stats, socials, or popularity.
it’s about music, connection, and gratitude.
thank you for understanding me at my best, at my worst, and the days in between.
i love you & i am beyond thankful for you.”
While studying, he wasn’t even thinking about trying to make it as a musician anymore.
“The first year, I didn’t even touch a piano,” Chance revealed.
As a sophomore, however, he decided to give songwriting another chance, no pun intended.
“I was so fortunately blessed,” he said.
“I didn’t have any issues, you know, coming out to family and friends.
It was very, very easy.
“DeGeneres whose coming out was a historic moment for Hollywood commended her young charge.
“I have a voice,” Chance told Ellen DeGeneres when he returned to her show.
“What do I want to say, and how do I want to say it?”
His independent album “Portraits” got him noticed by Arista Records.
“[I] got a record deal offered to me,” he revealed.
“I said, let’s go back, and let’s do it.”
“i’m not going anywhere.”
“And so I just, I waited.
I waited until I felt confident.”
Thankfully, that confidence translated into Chance feeling fully embraced by the queer community.
“Honestly it feels a dream come true to be able to play these sets,” he reflected.
Chance also took the opportunity to turn the attention he received into advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
In an interview withSDNews.com, he noted the importance of looking back tothe Stonewall Riots for inspiration.
He also claimed he witnessed her berate stylists, staff members, and even his mother.
“I do think it’s rather crazy.
Nevertheless, Chance has been able to successfully leverage the app as a promotional tool.
“Hell no,” he said.
Some exorcism bulls*** to this gay pop song?
No sir, I’m running straight outta that room.”
The “Good As Gold” singer, however, doesn’t like Tinseltown.
He toldWHRB, “I make a run at stay out of L.A. as much as possible.
Home means Oklahoma, where he now lives most of the time.
“I like to spend time there.
“Because I’m really able to laser-focus in.”
Living in Oklahoma has also allowed Chance to become more politically engaged.
They want a sustainable community,” he said.
Playing Oklahoma City Pride was also a big moment for him.
“That’s gonna be so special.”
I didn’t recognize us anymore, people moved away, we fought.”
Instead of letting that get him down, Chance turned to songwriting as a way to cope.
The resulting single, “Rearview Mirror,” came out in 2024.
Arista released his 2021 EP “Trophies,” but subsequent projects were once again put out independently.
Still, Chance hasn’t let this additional career setback keep him from his art.
In fact, he told Fault that he planned to dive deeper than ever.
