Out Music: Brian Justin Crum "I & U"

Brian Justin Crum (photo credit: Mark Mendoza)

America's Got Talent finalist Brian Justin Crum recently released the music video for his latest single, "I & U."

Penned by #1 Billboard writers Melanie Fontana, Lindgren and Ferras, and produced by Lindgren, "I & U" is the follow-up single to "Circles," released in February.

The singer recently told Huffpost the video for “I & U” is meant as an homage to his 'spirit animal,' George Michael.

“The video for 'I & U' is the most free Iʼve ever felt in my Queer expression," says Crum. "I spent so many years trying to 'butch it up' so that people around would feel more comfortable and so that I could fit into anyones little box they wanted to put me in."

Crum adds that he also wanted the music video to "feature a diverse cast of women who are strong in their own expression as well."

"Growing up queer I was surrounded by woman who supported me," says the 31-year-old singer. "My friends at school were all girls and it was their mothers (and my own) that loved me for who I was."

"I think itʼs very important that we, as gay men, rally behind women and fight with them as they have always fought with us,” he adds.

During his time on Season 11 of America's Got Talent, Crum garnered millions of views from his performances of songs by Michael Jackson, Radiohead, Tears For Fears and Phil Collins.

Check out the new track now available on all digital download sites.

View this post on Instagram

Happy “I & U” release day to all the magical humans who have made it possible @justinjohngarza @melaniejoyfontana @iamlindgren @ferras @awal @samerfwz I love you all!!!! Styled by @davidgangel 📸 x @imagesbymarkmendoza! LINK IN BIO!

A post shared by BrianJustinCrum (@brianjustincrum) on Jun 14, 2019 at 1:05pm PDT

Brian Justin Crum Kills On AGT: The Champions With "Your Song"

Brian Justin Crum

After coming in 4th during Season 11 of America's Got Talent, out singer Brian Justin Crum returned to the NBC talent competition for this season's 'all-star' edition, America's Got Talent: The Champions.

With a 'go big or go home' approach, Crum blew the roof off the house with his version of the Elton John classic, "Your Song," earning him a ticket to the finals.

Watch Crum's performance below, and check out America's Got Talent: The Champions on Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Johnny Manuel Covers Whitney Houston In Stunning Debut On American's Got Talent

Four million views in only a few days.

Johnny Manuel from Flint, Michigan, made quite the splash this week on America's Got Talent.

Before singing, Johnny revealed he'd had a recording contract when he was younger but it didn't work out. Judge Simon Cowell asked what the budding singer hoped would come from his appearance on AGT.

"I hope what can happen is that I'm finally able to be who I am and present my music to the world."

Watch his spectacular take on the Whitney Houston hit "I Have Nothing."

Clearly a fantastic instrument, and he knows what to do with it.

I'll be curious to see if he's able to make his future performances his own without a past blueprint to follow, or if he's just a great mimic with a terrific voice.

I definitely see the talent.

Brian Justin Crum Sings "Man In The Mirror" For AGT Finale

Singing a dark, brooding cover of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," on the finale of America's Got Talent last night, fan favorite Brian Justin Crum may have won himself the $1 million prize.

An introspective approach to the song matched with Crum's scorched earth vocals became an intense, showstopping moment for the audience.

The judges liked.

Simon Cowell: “I thought when the song first started, you just made a huge mistake here. And then halfway through, I thought, actually, you know what, you’ve just made the best decision of your life with that song,'"

Howie Mandel: "Epic."

Coming into the competition, Crum brings years of experience having performed on the concert stage and on Broadway. Along his AGT journey,  Crum has inspired countless LGBT youth by sharing his story of being bullied.

After his performance, Crum said, “Tonight was for everybody who has felt like they don’t belong, like they aren’t good enough. I love you so much, and thank you.”

Watch his performance below. Good luck, Brian, on Thursday night's final episode of the season. 

Out Music: Jonathan Allen "Amen"

Jonathan Allen, openly gay semifinalist from Season 8 of “America’s Got Talent” Season 8, has released his first single since his appearances on AGT, "Amen."

During his initial audition for AGT, Allen shared that he was thrown out of his house at the age of 18 when his parents told him being gay was "sinful" and that living openly as a gay man meant he would have to leave. The resulting eviction left him homeless.

He made it to the semi-finals of AGT during the summer of 2013 with powerful yet emotionally vulnerable performances of pop/classical crossover material ("Time To Say Goodbye") and stirring Broadway ballads  ("The Impossible Dream," "Bring Him Home").

Via press release:

For the last year, Jonathan has based himself out of Albuquerque, NM where he has established his business and worked on his music. Since his appearance on the show he has matured in his musical endeavors. Combined with strikingly original music and euphoric live performances; he has become recognized as one of the most captivating artists around.

“AMEN was primarily arranged and produced in my home and speaks to the many trials and tribulations that we all face, but is an LGBT liberation song at its heart, said Allen.

“The song touches on several issues that surround the community in day-to-day life, and in the political realm. The song attempts to chip away at many issues by starting a dialogue that shows people we all can believe the same things, deal with the same things, and be torn apart by the very same things that should bring us together,” continued Allen.

“Despite the title, AMEN is a song that transcends any one belief system. It is not so much about Christianity as it is about breaking free from hatred and celebrating love on this Earth in the highest form possible,” concluded Allen.

Allen's already impressive voice sounds even more reassured since his AGT days. The slightly religious bent isn't my thing, but there's no denying the power and depth of his voice.

You can listen to "Amen" below, along with his impressive debut on AGT.

Find the track on iTunes here.

America's Got Talent Winner Mat Franco Opens In Las Vegas

Season 9 champ of America's Got Talent, magician Mat Franco, brought his winning charm and infectious smile to amaze the opening night audience of his new residency - Mat Franco - Magic Reinvented Nightly - at the newly restyled LINQ Theater at The Linq in Las Vegas last night.

With some self-depracating humor (sometimes you almost think a trick won't work - almost) and a personality that's always warm and grounded, Franco (the first and only magician to win AGT) makes "story-telling" his primary magical power.

Whether recounting how he began practicing magic tricks before the age of 10, or constructing his first magic shows with the aide of his grandmother, Franco draws you into his magic-making with enthusiastic tales of his childhood fascination with magic.

My personal favorite moment was his closing trick. I won't reveal it other than to say it becomes the ultimate "storytelling" of the evening. So, ignore the call of the gambling tables at least until Franco pretty impressive closing bit of magic :)

The show, the showroom and the showman are just the right match of for the 27 year old's breezy magic-making.

Franco has a leaning for making the evening interactive, so you're on notice: the audience is very much a part of this production. Don't be afraid to raise your hand and be a part of the evening.

Great, fun night. If you're in Las Vegas, make sure you catch Mat's show.

Franco's a winner, and so is the show.

More info at MatFranco.com.

Denise Truscello, Getty/WireImage

Denise Truscello, Getty/WireImage

Denise Truscello, Getty/WireImage

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1. Disowned at 18 for being gay, singer wows America's Got Talent 

Jonathan Allen wins hearts and wows on America's Got Talent

Disowned at 18 for being gay, singer wows America's Got Talent

Jonathan Allen was kicked out of his house on his 18th birthday for being gay.

Unemployed, he decided to pursue his dream of singing by going on Americas Got Talent.

Then this happened...

Judge Howie Mandel: "Your own family disowned you, but with your talent, this show has become your family, and we'd like to say 'welcome home'. We love you. We accept you. And we're so proud that you came here."

Judge Howard Stern: "I don't know if your parents are watching tonight but I would like to say what a wonderful son you have."

Grab a tissue...

Sharon Osbourne leaving America's Got Talent?

Sharon Osbourne tweeted a bombshell right before the Tuesday night show taped: she’s apparently quitting “America’s Got Talent.”

In a tweet to co-judge Howard Stern, Osbourne posted, “My darling @HowardStern, money is not the reason I’m not returning to @nbcagt, it’s because…” and left it at that, without elaborating.

With that said, Osbourne made no mention of her tweet on the show, but posted to her Twitter feed throughout the live show regarding the performances.