James Conrad "Jim" Verraros (born February 8, 1983) is an American singer/entertainer and native of Crystal Lake, Illinois who is most notable for being one of the top 10 finalists in the first season of American Idol. Because he was raised by deaf parents, he is fluent in American Sign Language.

Personal life[link]

Verraros quickly became a celebrity in the American gay press because of a controversy that erupted when it was reported that Fox Broadcasting Company made him remove his online journal that included discussion of his homosexuality in the summer of 2002.^[1] However, Jim Verraros later stated that "it wasn't because I was gay. It was because they thought I was trying to gain more votes and have that little extra edge."^[2] While Verraros was out to fellow contestants and Idol employees, he did not mention his homosexuality on air.^[3] Following the end of the show and the subsequent tour,^[3] Verraros came out publicly in an article in The Advocate.^[4] On September 6, 2009, Verraros married his boyfriend Bill Brennan in a small ceremony in Illinois. They made it legal on July 24, 2011 in New York.^[5]

Professional career[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (October 2007)

Verraros released his album Unsaid and Understood (2004) through the indie label Red Queen Music - Sound Axis. It won the 2004 Outmusic Award for Outstanding New Recording - Debut Male.

The album was revamped and picked up by Koch Records and released as Rollercoaster (2005), Verraros' mainstream debut, which garnered several dance floor hits, including the Top 25 Billboard Hot Club/Dance Chart hit "You Turn It On." The album was produced and co-written by Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Gabe Lopez and features four songs co-written by American Idol finalist Angela Peel. The album had a limited release deal through Koch Records.

On May 27, 2009, Verraros released two new singles "Touch (Don't U Want 2)" and "Electric Love" from his third album Do Not Disturb. Both songs were produced and written by Gabe Lopez.

As an actor, Verarros is a star of the 2004 gay-themed comedy Eating Out directed by Q. Allan Brocka and produced by Ariztical Entertainment, as well as its 2006 sequel, Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds. Verraros was considered for a role on the here! series Dante's Cove. Verraros has appeared four times on The Feast of Fools podcast - once in November and December 2006 and twice in January 2007.

Verraros is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Bulls.

Filmography[link]

• American Idol Season 1 (2002) – Himself
• Eating Out (2004) – Kyle
• Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds (2006) – Kyle
• Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! (2008) – Priest
• Copacabana (2013) – Flavio/Suzie (in production)^[6]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website
• Jim Verraros at the Internet Movie Database
• Jim Verraros on Myspace
• Jim Verraros Music on Myspace
• Punk Globe Magazine Online Interview
• Jim Verraros Interview

Gina Glocksen
Background information
Birth name	Gina Glocksen
Born	(1984-07-04) July 4, 1984 (age 27)
Origin	Tinley Park, Illinois, United States
Genres	Rock
Occupations	Singer, dental assistant

Gina Glocksen (born July 4, 1984) is an American singer, who was the ninth-place finisher on the sixth season of American Idol. She was eliminated on April 4, 2007. She previously appeared in season 5. Glocksen is the first among the few contestants to have been eliminated in Hollywood round in an earlier season and then place in a later one.

Biography[link]

She grew up in Tinley Park, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, and attended Virgil I. Grissom Jr Middle School and Victor J. Andrew High School. Glocksen has been singing since age seven^{[citation needed]} and she had classical music training in high school, where she learned to play the piano and flute. Glocksen tried out for the 5th season American Idol, but didn't make it to the Top 24.

Prior to her second audition for the 6th season of American Idol, Glocksen worked as a dental assistant in Worth, Illinois and also performed in the cover band Catfight.

She married science teacher/musician Joe Ruzicka on New Year's Eve 2008; Jordin Sparks served as one of her bridesmaids^[1] The couple lives in Naperville, Illinois.

[edit] American Idol

In Season 5, Glocksen auditioned in Chicago and sang "The Power of Love," which advanced her to Hollywood. In the first round of Hollywood auditions, Glocksen performed "If I Ever Fall In Love Again." She was eliminated on the final day of Hollywood auditions.

In Season 6, Glocksen had a second chance to audition on American Idol in Memphis her audition song was Black Velvet, and made it again to Hollywood. During Hollywood week, she sang the song "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes, together with Perla Meneses, Jessica Gordon and Marisa Rhodes in group round. On the final day, she performed "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman." Glocksen finally made into the Top 24, and then into the finals. She was voted off April 4, 2007, making her the ninth-place finalist. Like Chris Sligh and Stephanie Edwards before her, she was never in the bottom 3 or 2 until she was eliminated.

Performances during voting weeks[link]

Post- Idol[link]

Following her elimination, she appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she performed "Alone" for Ellen. She also appeared on ME TV on Nickelodeon, although she did not sing.

After her duet with Phil Stacey during an Illinois show of the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007, Gina's boyfriend of three years, Joe, appeared on stage and surprised her by proposing to her.^{[citation needed]} Jordin Sparks and Haley Scarnato will reportedly serve as two of the eight bridesmaids at the wedding.[1]

In season 7 of American Idol Gina worked as co-host on American Idol Extra together with Constantine Maroulis.

She is currently working on original material. One song 'When It Rains" has been performed on American Idol Extra.^{[citation needed]}

Glocksen is playing shows in the Chicago area with her new band.^{[citation needed]}

She has released on single, "Superhero" to iTunes on March 1, 2011, under a record label called "Wicked Lip Records."^{[citation needed]}

EP[link]

Glocksen has released an EP containing the four songs she sang while in the final 12 of American Idol, but it is no longer available for purchase on iTunes.

1. "Love Child" : 3:05
2. "Paint It Black" : 3:28
3. "I'll Stand By You" : 4:03
4. "Smile" : 2:46

References[link]

1. ^ American Idol Finalist Shows Off Wedding Pictures USmagazine.com, January 1, 2009

External links[link]

• Official Gina Glocksen Website
• Gina Glocksen at American Idol
• Gina Glocksen at the Internet Movie Database
• Gina Glocksen Personal Myspace on Myspace