In a time when LGBTQ rights are under attack across the country, Frankie Grande’s unapologetically queer performance on The Tonight Show wasn’t just entertainment, it was a reminder that queer people are here to stay.
Tuesday night, the actor, singer, and activist took the stage on one of the most iconic shows on late night, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He performed a killer rendition of two songs off his debut album Hotel Rock Bottom, which drops this Friday!
With an increasingly tense political climate and hate towards the LGBTQ community on the rise, Grande’s explicitly queer performance couldn’t have come at a more critical moment, with The Tonight Show reaching millions of viewers across the United States, every night.
In the unapologetically queer performance, Grande and his dancers were decked out in glittery makeup and were dressed for a night at the club! They opened the number with his hit single Boys. The crowd was brought to to their feet for this upbeat gay banger, all about men loving men!
He then seamlessly transitioned into the album’s title track Hotel Rock Bottom, which drops on Friday. This song is deeply personal and offers fans a glimpse at some of the struggles Grande has gone through in his life. “Ended up in Hotel Rock Bottom, don’t know how I got here, that’s my problem,” he sang as he laid down in bed with the two dancers.
Grande’s belts proved this is so much more than just a pop album. They then broke out in a jaw dropping dance break, sealing the deal as one of the most memorable Tonight Show performances of the year!
In a time where so many are trying to erase and silence the LGBTQ community, we’re grateful for allies like Jimmy Fallon who are using their massive platform to celebrate queer artists and remind the world that Pride is all year round!
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After the performance, Grande took to Instagram to thank Jimmy Fallon for having him on the show, saying, “Thank you @JimmyFallon for giving this glowing little gay boy with a big heart a platform to share my music and my story with the world!! And thank you for allowing me to be a beacon of representation at a time when we need it in this country more than ever.”
He continued, “10 years ago, I could not have appeared on national television like this, living my life as a proud and out gay man… but here we are!! Although our community continues to be attacked and needs support, it’s also important to step back and take stock of how far we’ve come! As a little closeted kid, I could NEVER have imagined that I’d be on stage with Jimmy Fallon, looking gay, glam, and fabulous!! Thank you all for the incredible support every step of the way.”
Frankie Grande serves as a member of GLAAD’s Board of Directors and has worked tirelessly as an activist since the start of his career. Watch GLAAD’s recent interview with Grande here:
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Additionally, Grande and fellow GLAAD Board Member Peppermint recently issued a call-to-action for reality television to become a more inclusive genre. Watch the full video here:
Be sure to pre-save Hotel Rock Bottom wherever you listen to music, with the full album dropping June 27th!
