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- INTERVIEW: DANCER/ACTIVIST MICHAEL SILAS ON LIFE AFTER {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CELEBRIBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 12, 2012/8:51 AMBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 12, 2012 / 8:51 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"INTERVIEW: DANCER/ACTIVIST MICHAEL SILAS ON LIFE AFTER GAGA","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-06-12T12:51:13.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-06-12T12:51:13.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"CELEBRI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICHAEL SILAS IS ALL ABOUT PASSN. WHETHER HE’S PETG ON THE BRAVO DANCE PETN SERI STEP IT UP AND DANCE, DANCG FOR THE LIK OF CHRISTA AGUILERA, NE-YO OR KELLY ROWLAND OR NQUERG THE WORLD WH A CERTA UP-AND-ER NAMED LADY GAGA, SILAS EXUS PASSN 110%. AS ONE OF GAGA’S ORIGAL MALE DANCERS AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD WAS JT DISVERG HER, HE TOURED AROUND THE WORLD AS WELL AS APPEARED THE "POKER FACE", "PAPARAZZI", "TELEPHONE" AND "JUDAS" {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT PART OF YOUR LIFE IS BEHD YOU?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR SILAS, HIS TIME WORKG WH GAGA WAS JT THE BEGNG. AFTERELTON RECENTLY UGHT UP WH HIM LOS ANGEL FOR AN TERVIEW AND PHOTO SHOOT WHERE THE CHARMG SILAS LOOKED BACK AT HIS G OUT STGGL, KEEPG HIMSELF GROUND WHILE WORKG WH AN TERNATNAL PHENOMENA, HIS UNWAVERG MMENT TO YOUNG GAY PEOPLE AS WELL AS WHO EXACTLY HAS A HOLD ON HIS HEART THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTERELTON: DANCERS SEEM TO JT HAVE THEIR BLOOD OM A YOUNG AGE. WAS DANCG ALWAYS YOUR THG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICHAEL SILAS: NO. THAT ACTUALLY WAS NOT MY THG AT ALL. GROWG UP GERMANY, ALL I PLAYED WAS SPORTS, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SOCCER AND BASEBALL. I HAD NO KLG OF WHAT DANCE WAS ROUND ME. BUT I WAS ALWAYS FATUATED BY MOVI LIKE HOE PARTY, MIC VIOS LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON, JA JACKSON AND MADONNA. SO, I WAS ALWAYS FATUATED WH , BUT I DIDN’T HAVE THE URAGE TO EXPLORE . I DIDN’T THK THAT SPORTS PLAYERS WERE DANCERS AT ALL. SO, I JT FIGURED I WOULD PLAY THE SPORTS. FAST FORWARD. I MOVED TO HOTON. NTH GRA YEAR I SAW A PEP RALLY. I SAW BOY DANCERS DANCG MASCULE, DANCG CLOTH THAT I WOULD WEAR. I THOUGHT, ‘OH, MY GOSH. THIS IS SOMETHG I N DO.’ SO, I SLOWLY BUT SURELY STARTED TO EXPLORE . I WOULD WA AFTER SCHOOL TO WATCH THE REHEARSALS, TRY TO LEARN THE DANC. THEN ONE DAY I GOT THE URAGE TO QU FOOTBALL. I QU FOOTBALL LD TURKEY. AND I ALSO ME OUT HIGH SCHOOL. I QU VARSY FOOTBALL, JOED THE DANCE TEAM, AND I WAS GAY. YOU N ONLY IMAGE HOW THAT WAS FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: HOW WAS ? TELL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: THERE WAS FELY STILL BULLYG GOG ON THEN, BUT NOT AS PREVALENT AS TODAY IS. I HAD SOME OF . BUT GAVE ME THE STRENGTH TO KEEP FORWARD. AFTER I MOVED TO AMERI AND SAW THAT WAS SOMETHG THAT WAS TANGIBLE, I EXPLORED FULL THROTTLE. BUT I DIDN’T HAVE THE SUPPORT OF FAY AND IENDS THE BEGNG SO, AGA, I ONLY HAD MY SUPPORT. THAT’S ALL I NEED. I FEEL LIKE YOU UTILIZE YOURSELF AND BELIEVE YOURSELF, AND TST YOURSELF YOU’LL GO MUCH FURTHER WHOUT HAVG TO E ADVICE OF OTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: SO, WHEN WAS G OUT THE URSE OF ALL THIS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I DIDN’T ACTUALLY GET A CHANCE TO E OUT. I WAS OUTTED. I WAS OUTTED SO I HAD THAT STGGLE OF HAVG TO INTIFY WH SOMEONE THAT I WASN’T FULLY FORTABLE WH MYSELF. BUT I EXPLORED . I TOOK ON. AND I KNEW THAT THAT PERSON WAS OPERATG OM A PLACE OF SPE. SO, I KNEW THAT I HAD TO OPERATE OM A PLACE OF LOVE IF I WOULD MOVE FORWARD WH THIS. SO, I FAVE, NOT EASILY THOUGH. WENT THROUGH A YEAR OR TWO OF HARD TRANSN WH MY FAY AND IENDS, BUT NOW ’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: WHEN DID YOU ACTUALLY START DOG MORE PROFSNAL DANCG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: IN 2001, I MET SOLANGE KNOWL. SHE WAS HAVG DNS HOTON. WE CROSSED PATHS BEE OF DANCE CLASS. SHE ED TO TAKE BALLET AND I ALWAYS WONRED, ‘WHO IS THIS BLACK GIRL BEG PICKED UP THIS NAVIGATOR WH TTED WDOWS EVERY DAY? THERE’S SOMETHG NOT RIGHT ABOUT THAT PERSON!' SO, I FOUND OUT SHE WAS ASSOCIATED WH BEYONCE KNOWL AND WE BEME REALLY CLOSE IENDS. SHE TOLD ME SHE HAD AN DN. I DNED, AND I GOT . THIS IS 2001. BUT BTERSWEET STORY, THIS IS WHERE GREED TGHT ME. GREED N REALLY HR YOU. SOMEBODY MAND MORE MONEY ON THAT JOB AND GOT ALL FIRED. I WAS REALLY VASTATED, BUT I KEPT FAH. THEN I GOT A PHONE LL ASKG TO BE THE ONLY LOL WORKG HOTON DANCER WH THREE OTHER LA DANCERS FOR KELLY ROWLAND. MD YOU, I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT I ULDN’T KEEP UP WH LA DANCERS. BUT I’M NOW BEG THE ONLY NEW SEASON DANCER. AND GUS WHO SOLANGE WAS OPENG UP FOR? KELLY ROWLAND. I WENT OM OPENG ACT TO THE MA STAGE. SO, THAT WAS THE BEGNG OF MY PROFSNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: HOW DID WORKG WH GAGA E ABOUT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: IT WAS A MASSIVE TTLE LL. IT WAS OVER 200 PEOPLE, CLOSE TO 300 PEOPLE, AND THEY WERE ONLY LOOKG FOR FOUR GUYS. THE DN WENT CLOSE TO EIGHT HOURS LONG. THEY WERE MAKG CUTS. WE DID ONE LAST TIME AND WE WERE EXCED OM THE ROOM. BEFORE THEY EXCED [GAGA] GAVE A REALLY POWERFUL HUG SO SHE ULD FEEL OUR ENERGI. SOMETHG THAT WAS SAID THAT MOMENT I NEVER FOT. SHE SAID, ‘I WANT TO FEEL WHAT KD OF ENERGY YOU GUYS POSSS BEE NOT ONLY IS MY LIFE GOG TO CHANGE... BUT OUR LIFE IS GOG TO CHANGE.’ AND THAT’S TE. OUR LIV CHANGED. IT HAS NOT BEEN THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: THIS WAS BEFORE SHE REALLY SHE’D REALLY EXPLOD, RIGHT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: [NODS] I REALLY FEEL AS AN ARTIST IS TAK YOUR TE SELF TO BE EXPRSIVE. BUT TAK, ALSO, ALMOST A KD OF ALTER-EGO PERSONA TO GIVE YOU THAT NFINCE TO REALLY STEP ONT OF THOANDS UPON THOANDS OF PEOPLE, TO HAVE THE URAGE TO DO THAT DAY AND DAY OUT. BUT ’S STILL A PART OF YOU. IT’S JT A PERSONALY THAT YOU KD OF ADAPT WH THAT’S A LTLE B MORE URAGEO THAN YOUR EVERY DAY PERSONA. WE ALL DO THAT AS ENTERTAERS. A PERSON ULD SAY THAT THEY DON’T ADAPT OR TAP TO A PLACE... THAT’S NOT JT SO. I DON’T THK THAT THEY ARE GRACG THE STAGE THE PROPER WAY. IT’S AN ALTER EGO. IT’S AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU’RE UP THERE. THERE’S JT NO OTHER WAY TO SCRIBE THAT. BEG ABLE TO WORK WH PEOPLE, MYSELF PERSONALLY, PECIALLY ARTISTS THAT AREN’T AAID TO BE VULNERABLE, THAT AREN’T AAID TO DISPLAY THEIR TE SELF, I THK THAT’S WHY SOCIETY AND THEIR FAN BASE HAS TAKEN TO THEM THE WAY THEY HAVE, BEE THEY N INTIFY WH THEM. THEY JT DON’T SEE THEM AS THAT PERSON ON THE RED RPET. THEY SEE THEM THROUGH THEIR STGGLE. THEY SEE THEM THROUGH THEIR GLORI. THEY SEE THEM THROUGH ALL THE MOMENTS OF THEIR LIFE. I’M THANKFUL FOR THAT BEE ’S HUMBLED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: WHEN YOU WERE THAT EXPERIENCE, THAT BUBBLE OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO LL , HOW DID YOU KEEP YOURSELF GROUND?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I KD OF ME UP WH A QUOTE THAT HELPED ME EVER SCE MY APPEARANCE ON BROADWAY AND THAT’S ‘NEVER FET WHY - SO YOU N ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN.’ TO ME ;S VERY EASY TO LOSE THE PASSN WHEN THE MONEY STARTS TO E OR FAME STARTS TO E. THEN YOU DON’T DO THE SAME WAY ANY MORE. SO FOR ME, HOLDG ON TO MY VALU AND HOLDG ON TO THE REASON WHY I STARTED ALL THIS THE BEGNG KEPT ME REALLY GROUND. THEN, OBVLY, MY FAY AND IENDS AND THEN THE CREW SELF, WE HAD A STRONG FAY BASE. I’VE BEEN BLSED TO BE A PART OF TOURS WHERE ’S NOT SEPARATED. EVERYBODY IS EQUAL. EVERYBODY IS TREATED THE SAME. THAT’S A STRONG FAY UN OUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: NOW, DANCERS, I GUS SOME WAYS YOU THK THEY HAVE A CERTA LONGEVY. AS YOU APPROACH 30, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF HEADG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: FORTUNATELY I DON’T PUT THAT MUCH PRSURE ON MYSELF. I’M TAKG DAY BY DAY. THAT'S THANKS TO A REALLY GOOD IEND OF ME NAMED KEV STEA. HE’S HIS MID 40S AND HE’S STILL DANCG. DANCG AMAZGLY. HE STARTED OUT WAY BEFORE MADONNA BUT HE STARTED OFF WH MADONNA’S TTH OR DARE. THE MERE FACT THAT I FOLLOWED THAT FIRST AND TO SEE WHERE HE’S AT NOW HIS 40S, TO SEE THAT DANCE ULD BE LONGEVY IS AMAZG. TO ME AGE IS THE HEART AND YOUR ENERGY. IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO FEEL OLD YOU’RE GOG TO BE OLD. IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE YOUTHFUL, OR VIBRANT, OR LGH MORE YOU’RE GOG TO JT KEEP THAT POSIVE AND YOUTHFUL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: SO, YOU’RE NOT CURRENTLY TOURG WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: NO. I’M SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHG. I HAVE NOTHG NEGATIVE TO SAY. MY LIFE IS NOT THE SAME AND I’M GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I’VE LEARNT SO MUCH. I’VE GROWN SO MUCH. IT’S OPENED MANY OPPORTUNI FOR ME AS WELL. I N SHARE NOW ON A LARGER PLATFORM. IF YOU DON’T LEARN OM AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THAT FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS THEN YOU’VE LIVED A BUBBLE. YOU REALLY DID. I LIVED AN OPEN BUBBLE WHERE I ULD SEE EVERYTHG AND JT EXPLORE EVERYTHG, AND JT TAKE WH ME AND BE A SPONGE. NOW I’M READY JT TO GIVE BACK TO THE WHOLE WORLD. WATCH OUT. WATCH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE DOG. I KNOW YOUR ACTIVISM AND YOUR WORK WH YOUNG PEOPLE. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT AND WHY THAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I DIDN’T HAVE ANYBODY TO INTIFY WH AS A YOUNG TEENAGER, I DIDN’T HAVE ONE GAY IEND. I DIDN’T HAVE A GAY FAY MEMBER. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT GAY WAS. I TLY THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY GAY PERSON THE WORLD. AS SRY, AS CRAZY AS THAT SOUNDS, I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON THE WORLD. BUT MY FIRST GAY PRI OPENED ME UP TO NOT ONLY THAT I WASN’T ALONE BUT HOW IMPORTANT WAS TO TEACH PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF THAT WE’RE NOT ALONE. WE’RE NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I JT ME BACK OM PHOENIX GAY PRI AND I WAS WORKG WH THE ONE N TEN KIDS, WHICH IS THE BIGGT LGBTQ YOUTH MP OR ANIZATN THE WORLD. I GOT A CHANCE TO SPEAK AND MEET REALLY LORFUL PEOPLE. I LL LORFUL. I THK WE’RE THE MOST LORFUL PEOPLE THE WORLD. IT’S JT IMPORTANT TO LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE, LET THEM KNOW THAT WILL GET BETTER IF YOU KEEP THAT POSIVE MD AME, JT TO NTUOLY ENURAGE YOURSELF, BE BRAVE, AND TO BE AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: YOU HAVE MORE THAN A FEW TATTOOS. WHEN DID THE K START POPPG UP?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: THE K STARTED POPPG UP ON MY 18 BIRTHDAY. THE LEO HEAD WAS THE FIRST TATTOO I GOT ON MY RIGHT SHOULR. I AM A LEO. AND THEN THEY JT STARTED G. IT’S TE. YOU GET ONE TATTOO YOU GET THE CH TO GET MORE. BUT I HAVE 17 TOTAL. IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS I’VE GOTTEN THE MAJORY OF THEM ON TOUR FOR GAGA. SO, THEY ARE OM ALL AROUND THE WORLD. I GET THEM TOGRAPHED AND DATED SO THEY ARE A LTLE B MORE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: AND NOW BEE THE REARS WILL WANT TO KNOW, ARE YOU SGLE? DATG? WHAT’S THE STORY THERE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I AM SGLE, BUT MY HEART IS MARRIED. I BELIEVE PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE AND IF I HOLD OFF I’LL FD THE RIGHT ONE. I AM, TECHNILLY, SGLE BUT MY HEART IS MARRIED. I’M MARRIED TO MYSELF. AS A YOUNG GAY PERSON I WAS PROMISCUO. I EXPERIENCED THAT WHOLE LIFTYLE OF THE CULTURE. BUT I BELIEVE SUBSTANCE NOW. I BELIEVE NNECTN, ROMANCE, BEE ’S NOT AD AT ALL, YOU KNOW. I WANT TO HAVE THAT, AND I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE . SO, I’M GOG TO HOLD OFF UNTIL THAT TO ME, THAT WHOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU TERMS OF WORK?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: WHAT I’M UP TO NEXT IS REALLY EXPLORG SOME OF THE THGS I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO, LIKE SIGN. I LOVE TO DRS TANK TOPS SO I’M ACTUALLY WORKG ON A TANK TOP LE. THE CLOTHG LE IS LLED BELIEVE & DREAM 23, A CLOTHG LE THAT’S SPIRED BEHD POSIVE MSAG. BUT I’M NOT TAKG OFF MY DANCE SHO, THOUGH. MY DANCER SHO WILL ALWAYS BE ON. SO, I’M READY TO EXPLORE WHATEVER IS NEXT THAT CHAPTER OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I JT WANT TO ENURAGE EVERYBODY TO NTUE LIVG THE LIFE THAT YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN TO LIVE. WE OFTEN TRY TO E CELEBRI OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LARGER PLATFORM THAN OURSELV. BUT YOU HAVE THOSE SAME TOOLS YOU THAT THEY WERE GIVEN AS WELL. SO, BE FORTABLE WH YOURSELF. DON’T BE AAID TO EXPLORE. STEP OUT DIVIDUALY WH URAGE BEHD YOU. AND KNOW THAT YOU N DO ANYTHG THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO. I AM STG HERE TELLG YOU THIS AS I SAT AS A 12-YEAR-OLD KID WATCHG MIC VIOS, WATCHG TOURS, WATCHG PEOPLE TRAVEL THE WORLD. I N NOW SAY I HAVE DONE ALL THREE. SO, ’S HERE. YOU N DO . JT DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N FOLLOW MICHAEL SILAS VIA HIS FACEBOOK PAGE OR ONTWTER @{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
- I'M A GAY REPUBLIN. POET LREATE SILAS HOE IS AN EMBARRASSG KENTUCKY ELEGY
INTERVIEW: DANCER/ACTIVIST MICHAEL SILAS ON LIFE AFTER {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CELEBRIBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 12, 2012/8:51 AMBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 12, 2012 / 8:51 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"INTERVIEW: DANCER/ACTIVIST MICHAEL SILAS ON LIFE AFTER GAGA","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-06-12T12:51:13.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-06-12T12:51:13.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"CELEBRI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICHAEL SILAS IS ALL ABOUT PASSN. WHETHER HE’S PETG ON THE BRAVO DANCE PETN SERI STEP IT UP AND DANCE, DANCG FOR THE LIK OF CHRISTA AGUILERA, NE-YO OR KELLY ROWLAND OR NQUERG THE WORLD WH A CERTA UP-AND-ER NAMED LADY GAGA, SILAS EXUS PASSN 110%. AS ONE OF GAGA’S ORIGAL MALE DANCERS AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD WAS JT DISVERG HER, HE TOURED AROUND THE WORLD AS WELL AS APPEARED THE "POKER FACE", "PAPARAZZI", "TELEPHONE" AND "JUDAS" {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT PART OF YOUR LIFE IS BEHD YOU?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR SILAS, HIS TIME WORKG WH GAGA WAS JT THE BEGNG. AFTERELTON RECENTLY UGHT UP WH HIM LOS ANGEL FOR AN TERVIEW AND PHOTO SHOOT WHERE THE CHARMG SILAS LOOKED BACK AT HIS G OUT STGGL, KEEPG HIMSELF GROUND WHILE WORKG WH AN TERNATNAL PHENOMENA, HIS UNWAVERG MMENT TO YOUNG GAY PEOPLE AS WELL AS WHO EXACTLY HAS A HOLD ON HIS HEART THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTERELTON: DANCERS SEEM TO JT HAVE THEIR BLOOD OM A YOUNG AGE. WAS DANCG ALWAYS YOUR THG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MICHAEL SILAS: NO. THAT ACTUALLY WAS NOT MY THG AT ALL. GROWG UP GERMANY, ALL I PLAYED WAS SPORTS, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SOCCER AND BASEBALL. I HAD NO KLG OF WHAT DANCE WAS ROUND ME. BUT I WAS ALWAYS FATUATED BY MOVI LIKE HOE PARTY, MIC VIOS LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON, JA JACKSON AND MADONNA. SO, I WAS ALWAYS FATUATED WH , BUT I DIDN’T HAVE THE URAGE TO EXPLORE . I DIDN’T THK THAT SPORTS PLAYERS WERE DANCERS AT ALL. SO, I JT FIGURED I WOULD PLAY THE SPORTS. FAST FORWARD. I MOVED TO HOTON. NTH GRA YEAR I SAW A PEP RALLY. I SAW BOY DANCERS DANCG MASCULE, DANCG CLOTH THAT I WOULD WEAR. I THOUGHT, ‘OH, MY GOSH. THIS IS SOMETHG I N DO.’ SO, I SLOWLY BUT SURELY STARTED TO EXPLORE . I WOULD WA AFTER SCHOOL TO WATCH THE REHEARSALS, TRY TO LEARN THE DANC. THEN ONE DAY I GOT THE URAGE TO QU FOOTBALL. I QU FOOTBALL LD TURKEY. AND I ALSO ME OUT HIGH SCHOOL. I QU VARSY FOOTBALL, JOED THE DANCE TEAM, AND I WAS GAY. YOU N ONLY IMAGE HOW THAT WAS FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: HOW WAS ? TELL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: THERE WAS FELY STILL BULLYG GOG ON THEN, BUT NOT AS PREVALENT AS TODAY IS. I HAD SOME OF . BUT GAVE ME THE STRENGTH TO KEEP FORWARD. AFTER I MOVED TO AMERI AND SAW THAT WAS SOMETHG THAT WAS TANGIBLE, I EXPLORED FULL THROTTLE. BUT I DIDN’T HAVE THE SUPPORT OF FAY AND IENDS THE BEGNG SO, AGA, I ONLY HAD MY SUPPORT. THAT’S ALL I NEED. I FEEL LIKE YOU UTILIZE YOURSELF AND BELIEVE YOURSELF, AND TST YOURSELF YOU’LL GO MUCH FURTHER WHOUT HAVG TO E ADVICE OF OTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: SO, WHEN WAS G OUT THE URSE OF ALL THIS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I DIDN’T ACTUALLY GET A CHANCE TO E OUT. I WAS OUTTED. I WAS OUTTED SO I HAD THAT STGGLE OF HAVG TO INTIFY WH SOMEONE THAT I WASN’T FULLY FORTABLE WH MYSELF. BUT I EXPLORED . I TOOK ON. AND I KNEW THAT THAT PERSON WAS OPERATG OM A PLACE OF SPE. SO, I KNEW THAT I HAD TO OPERATE OM A PLACE OF LOVE IF I WOULD MOVE FORWARD WH THIS. SO, I FAVE, NOT EASILY THOUGH. WENT THROUGH A YEAR OR TWO OF HARD TRANSN WH MY FAY AND IENDS, BUT NOW ’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: WHEN DID YOU ACTUALLY START DOG MORE PROFSNAL DANCG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: IN 2001, I MET SOLANGE KNOWL. SHE WAS HAVG DNS HOTON. WE CROSSED PATHS BEE OF DANCE CLASS. SHE ED TO TAKE BALLET AND I ALWAYS WONRED, ‘WHO IS THIS BLACK GIRL BEG PICKED UP THIS NAVIGATOR WH TTED WDOWS EVERY DAY? THERE’S SOMETHG NOT RIGHT ABOUT THAT PERSON!' SO, I FOUND OUT SHE WAS ASSOCIATED WH BEYONCE KNOWL AND WE BEME REALLY CLOSE IENDS. SHE TOLD ME SHE HAD AN DN. I DNED, AND I GOT . THIS IS 2001. BUT BTERSWEET STORY, THIS IS WHERE GREED TGHT ME. GREED N REALLY HR YOU. SOMEBODY MAND MORE MONEY ON THAT JOB AND GOT ALL FIRED. I WAS REALLY VASTATED, BUT I KEPT FAH. THEN I GOT A PHONE LL ASKG TO BE THE ONLY LOL WORKG HOTON DANCER WH THREE OTHER LA DANCERS FOR KELLY ROWLAND. MD YOU, I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT I ULDN’T KEEP UP WH LA DANCERS. BUT I’M NOW BEG THE ONLY NEW SEASON DANCER. AND GUS WHO SOLANGE WAS OPENG UP FOR? KELLY ROWLAND. I WENT OM OPENG ACT TO THE MA STAGE. SO, THAT WAS THE BEGNG OF MY PROFSNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: HOW DID WORKG WH GAGA E ABOUT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: IT WAS A MASSIVE TTLE LL. IT WAS OVER 200 PEOPLE, CLOSE TO 300 PEOPLE, AND THEY WERE ONLY LOOKG FOR FOUR GUYS. THE DN WENT CLOSE TO EIGHT HOURS LONG. THEY WERE MAKG CUTS. WE DID ONE LAST TIME AND WE WERE EXCED OM THE ROOM. BEFORE THEY EXCED [GAGA] GAVE A REALLY POWERFUL HUG SO SHE ULD FEEL OUR ENERGI. SOMETHG THAT WAS SAID THAT MOMENT I NEVER FOT. SHE SAID, ‘I WANT TO FEEL WHAT KD OF ENERGY YOU GUYS POSSS BEE NOT ONLY IS MY LIFE GOG TO CHANGE... BUT OUR LIFE IS GOG TO CHANGE.’ AND THAT’S TE. OUR LIV CHANGED. IT HAS NOT BEEN THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: THIS WAS BEFORE SHE REALLY SHE’D REALLY EXPLOD, RIGHT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: [NODS] I REALLY FEEL AS AN ARTIST IS TAK YOUR TE SELF TO BE EXPRSIVE. BUT TAK, ALSO, ALMOST A KD OF ALTER-EGO PERSONA TO GIVE YOU THAT NFINCE TO REALLY STEP ONT OF THOANDS UPON THOANDS OF PEOPLE, TO HAVE THE URAGE TO DO THAT DAY AND DAY OUT. BUT ’S STILL A PART OF YOU. IT’S JT A PERSONALY THAT YOU KD OF ADAPT WH THAT’S A LTLE B MORE URAGEO THAN YOUR EVERY DAY PERSONA. WE ALL DO THAT AS ENTERTAERS. A PERSON ULD SAY THAT THEY DON’T ADAPT OR TAP TO A PLACE... THAT’S NOT JT SO. I DON’T THK THAT THEY ARE GRACG THE STAGE THE PROPER WAY. IT’S AN ALTER EGO. IT’S AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU’RE UP THERE. THERE’S JT NO OTHER WAY TO SCRIBE THAT. BEG ABLE TO WORK WH PEOPLE, MYSELF PERSONALLY, PECIALLY ARTISTS THAT AREN’T AAID TO BE VULNERABLE, THAT AREN’T AAID TO DISPLAY THEIR TE SELF, I THK THAT’S WHY SOCIETY AND THEIR FAN BASE HAS TAKEN TO THEM THE WAY THEY HAVE, BEE THEY N INTIFY WH THEM. THEY JT DON’T SEE THEM AS THAT PERSON ON THE RED RPET. THEY SEE THEM THROUGH THEIR STGGLE. THEY SEE THEM THROUGH THEIR GLORI. THEY SEE THEM THROUGH ALL THE MOMENTS OF THEIR LIFE. I’M THANKFUL FOR THAT BEE ’S HUMBLED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: WHEN YOU WERE THAT EXPERIENCE, THAT BUBBLE OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO LL , HOW DID YOU KEEP YOURSELF GROUND?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I KD OF ME UP WH A QUOTE THAT HELPED ME EVER SCE MY APPEARANCE ON BROADWAY AND THAT’S ‘NEVER FET WHY - SO YOU N ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN.’ TO ME ;S VERY EASY TO LOSE THE PASSN WHEN THE MONEY STARTS TO E OR FAME STARTS TO E. THEN YOU DON’T DO THE SAME WAY ANY MORE. SO FOR ME, HOLDG ON TO MY VALU AND HOLDG ON TO THE REASON WHY I STARTED ALL THIS THE BEGNG KEPT ME REALLY GROUND. THEN, OBVLY, MY FAY AND IENDS AND THEN THE CREW SELF, WE HAD A STRONG FAY BASE. I’VE BEEN BLSED TO BE A PART OF TOURS WHERE ’S NOT SEPARATED. EVERYBODY IS EQUAL. EVERYBODY IS TREATED THE SAME. THAT’S A STRONG FAY UN OUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: NOW, DANCERS, I GUS SOME WAYS YOU THK THEY HAVE A CERTA LONGEVY. AS YOU APPROACH 30, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF HEADG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: FORTUNATELY I DON’T PUT THAT MUCH PRSURE ON MYSELF. I’M TAKG DAY BY DAY. THAT'S THANKS TO A REALLY GOOD IEND OF ME NAMED KEV STEA. HE’S HIS MID 40S AND HE’S STILL DANCG. DANCG AMAZGLY. HE STARTED OUT WAY BEFORE MADONNA BUT HE STARTED OFF WH MADONNA’S TTH OR DARE. THE MERE FACT THAT I FOLLOWED THAT FIRST AND TO SEE WHERE HE’S AT NOW HIS 40S, TO SEE THAT DANCE ULD BE LONGEVY IS AMAZG. TO ME AGE IS THE HEART AND YOUR ENERGY. IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO FEEL OLD YOU’RE GOG TO BE OLD. IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE YOUTHFUL, OR VIBRANT, OR LGH MORE YOU’RE GOG TO JT KEEP THAT POSIVE AND YOUTHFUL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: SO, YOU’RE NOT CURRENTLY TOURG WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: NO. I’M SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHG. I HAVE NOTHG NEGATIVE TO SAY. MY LIFE IS NOT THE SAME AND I’M GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I’VE LEARNT SO MUCH. I’VE GROWN SO MUCH. IT’S OPENED MANY OPPORTUNI FOR ME AS WELL. I N SHARE NOW ON A LARGER PLATFORM. IF YOU DON’T LEARN OM AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THAT FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS THEN YOU’VE LIVED A BUBBLE. YOU REALLY DID. I LIVED AN OPEN BUBBLE WHERE I ULD SEE EVERYTHG AND JT EXPLORE EVERYTHG, AND JT TAKE WH ME AND BE A SPONGE. NOW I’M READY JT TO GIVE BACK TO THE WHOLE WORLD. WATCH OUT. WATCH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE DOG. I KNOW YOUR ACTIVISM AND YOUR WORK WH YOUNG PEOPLE. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT AND WHY THAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I DIDN’T HAVE ANYBODY TO INTIFY WH AS A YOUNG TEENAGER, I DIDN’T HAVE ONE GAY IEND. I DIDN’T HAVE A GAY FAY MEMBER. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT GAY WAS. I TLY THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY GAY PERSON THE WORLD. AS SRY, AS CRAZY AS THAT SOUNDS, I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON THE WORLD. BUT MY FIRST GAY PRI OPENED ME UP TO NOT ONLY THAT I WASN’T ALONE BUT HOW IMPORTANT WAS TO TEACH PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF THAT WE’RE NOT ALONE. WE’RE NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I JT ME BACK OM PHOENIX GAY PRI AND I WAS WORKG WH THE ONE N TEN KIDS, WHICH IS THE BIGGT LGBTQ YOUTH MP OR ANIZATN THE WORLD. I GOT A CHANCE TO SPEAK AND MEET REALLY LORFUL PEOPLE. I LL LORFUL. I THK WE’RE THE MOST LORFUL PEOPLE THE WORLD. IT’S JT IMPORTANT TO LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE, LET THEM KNOW THAT WILL GET BETTER IF YOU KEEP THAT POSIVE MD AME, JT TO NTUOLY ENURAGE YOURSELF, BE BRAVE, AND TO BE AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: YOU HAVE MORE THAN A FEW TATTOOS. WHEN DID THE K START POPPG UP?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: THE K STARTED POPPG UP ON MY 18 BIRTHDAY. THE LEO HEAD WAS THE FIRST TATTOO I GOT ON MY RIGHT SHOULR. I AM A LEO. AND THEN THEY JT STARTED G. IT’S TE. YOU GET ONE TATTOO YOU GET THE CH TO GET MORE. BUT I HAVE 17 TOTAL. IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS I’VE GOTTEN THE MAJORY OF THEM ON TOUR FOR GAGA. SO, THEY ARE OM ALL AROUND THE WORLD. I GET THEM TOGRAPHED AND DATED SO THEY ARE A LTLE B MORE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: AND NOW BEE THE REARS WILL WANT TO KNOW, ARE YOU SGLE? DATG? WHAT’S THE STORY THERE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: I AM SGLE, BUT MY HEART IS MARRIED. I BELIEVE PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE AND IF I HOLD OFF I’LL FD THE RIGHT ONE. I AM, TECHNILLY, SGLE BUT MY HEART IS MARRIED. I’M MARRIED TO MYSELF. AS A YOUNG GAY PERSON I WAS PROMISCUO. I EXPERIENCED THAT WHOLE LIFTYLE OF THE CULTURE. BUT I BELIEVE SUBSTANCE NOW. I BELIEVE NNECTN, ROMANCE, BEE ’S NOT AD AT ALL, YOU KNOW. I WANT TO HAVE THAT, AND I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE . SO, I’M GOG TO HOLD OFF UNTIL THAT TO ME, THAT WHOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU TERMS OF WORK?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MS: WHAT I’M UP TO NEXT IS REALLY EXPLORG SOME OF THE THGS I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO, LIKE SIGN. I LOVE TO DRS TANK TOPS SO I’M ACTUALLY WORKG ON A TANK TOP LE. THE CLOTHG LE IS LLED BELIEVE & DREAM 23, A CLOTHG LE THAT’S SPIRED BEHD POSIVE MSAG. BUT I’M NOT TAKG OFF MY DANCE SHO, THOUGH. MY DANCER SHO WILL ALWAYS BE ON. SO, I’M READY TO EXPLORE WHATEVER IS NEXT THAT CHAPTER OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I JT WANT TO ENURAGE EVERYBODY TO NTUE LIVG THE LIFE THAT YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN TO LIVE. WE OFTEN TRY TO E CELEBRI OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LARGER PLATFORM THAN OURSELV. BUT YOU HAVE THOSE SAME TOOLS YOU THAT THEY WERE GIVEN AS WELL. SO, BE FORTABLE WH YOURSELF. DON’T BE AAID TO EXPLORE. STEP OUT DIVIDUALY WH URAGE BEHD YOU. AND KNOW THAT YOU N DO ANYTHG THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO. I AM STG HERE TELLG YOU THIS AS I SAT AS A 12-YEAR-OLD KID WATCHG MIC VIOS, WATCHG TOURS, WATCHG PEOPLE TRAVEL THE WORLD. I N NOW SAY I HAVE DONE ALL THREE. SO, ’S HERE. YOU N DO . JT DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N FOLLOW MICHAEL SILAS VIA HIS FACEBOOK PAGE OR ONTWTER @{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
AfterElton recently ught up wh him Los Angel for an terview and photo shoot where the charmg Silas looked back at his g out stggl, keepg himself ground while workg wh an ternatnal phenomena, his unwaverg mment to young gay people as well as who exactly has a hold on his heart the days.
I qu varsy football, joed the dance team, and I was gay.
I'M A GAY REPUBLIN. POET LREATE SILAS HOE IS AN EMBARRASSG KENTUCKY ELEGY
MS: I didn’t have anybody to intify wh as a young teenager, I didn’t have one gay iend. I didn’t have a gay fay member. I didn’t know what gay was.
I tly thought I was the only gay person the world. But my first Gay Pri opened me up to not only that I wasn’t alone but how important was to teach people like myself that we’re not alone. I jt me back om Phoenix Gay Pri and I was workg wh the One N Ten kids, which is the biggt LGBTQ youth mp or anizatn the world.