By Lauren Tuck (Editorial Assistant, POZ)
I'm not usually a fan of singing competition television shows. They make me jealous that I'm tone deaf and will never sound as good as them (except in the shower because in there I'm a rock star). But last summer NBC's The Voice sucked me in. The premise is a bit different from American Idol and the X Factor because in the first round, the contestants are judged solely based on their vocal abilities.
Four celebrity coaches--Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton--each choose eight members for their teams during blind auditions (the coaches can hear but not see the contestants). The rest of the competition progresses much like any other talent show, but Adam Levine's tattoos and sexy smirk, Cee Lo's wacky outfits and antics, Xtina's barely there outfits, and Blake Shelton's jokes keep me captivated for two very long hours.
A record-breaking 36.7 million people tuned into the new season's premiere, which aired after the Super Bowl. One of the contestants to try out on the second episode was Jamar Rogers. We are introduced to Rogers outside the headquarters of God's Love We Deliver (GLWD) in New York City's West Village. Rogers has been volunteering as a van assistant since June 2011 helping deliver the nearly 4,000 meals the organization donates daily to its clients, which include people with HIV/AIDS.
While loading a GLWD van, Rogers is surprised by The Voice host Carson Daly, who offers Rogers a trip to Hollywood to audition for the show. In the video, Rogers reveals he was addicted to crystal meth six years ago and contracted HIV as a result of his drug use.
Watch Rogers discuss his HIV status:
Some may recognize Rogers from American Idol season 8, but his booting off of that show didn't keep Cee Lo Green from choosing him for his team. "You've got style, you've got charisma, you've got presence, and you definitely got the voice," Green told Rogers after his rousing rendition of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army."
Watch Rogers audition (but grab a hankie first, because I certainly needed one!):
During Rogers' first run on reality television, he didn't divulge the intimate details of his past. But, according to Yahoo Music, Mondo Guerra of Project Runway fame inspired him to be upfront about his HIV status.
Rogers says, "Mondo was my inspiration to tell everybody.... I was watching [Project Runway] with some friends and happened to see the episode when he was telling everyone [about his HIV status], and I started crying.... I couldn't stop bawling and my friends didn't know why, and I didn't want to explain it to them, and at that moment--I was just going through the Voice auditions--I knew. I was like, 'If he has the balls to do it, then so do I.'"
I'm not usually a fan of singing competition television shows. They make me jealous that I'm tone deaf and will never sound as good as them (except in the shower because in there I'm a rock star). But last summer NBC's The Voice sucked me in. The premise is a bit different from American Idol and the X Factor because in the first round, the contestants are judged solely based on their vocal abilities.
Four celebrity coaches--Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton--each choose eight members for their teams during blind auditions (the coaches can hear but not see the contestants). The rest of the competition progresses much like any other talent show, but Adam Levine's tattoos and sexy smirk, Cee Lo's wacky outfits and antics, Xtina's barely there outfits, and Blake Shelton's jokes keep me captivated for two very long hours.
A record-breaking 36.7 million people tuned into the new season's premiere, which aired after the Super Bowl. One of the contestants to try out on the second episode was Jamar Rogers. We are introduced to Rogers outside the headquarters of God's Love We Deliver (GLWD) in New York City's West Village. Rogers has been volunteering as a van assistant since June 2011 helping deliver the nearly 4,000 meals the organization donates daily to its clients, which include people with HIV/AIDS.
While loading a GLWD van, Rogers is surprised by The Voice host Carson Daly, who offers Rogers a trip to Hollywood to audition for the show. In the video, Rogers reveals he was addicted to crystal meth six years ago and contracted HIV as a result of his drug use.
Watch Rogers discuss his HIV status:
Some may recognize Rogers from American Idol season 8, but his booting off of that show didn't keep Cee Lo Green from choosing him for his team. "You've got style, you've got charisma, you've got presence, and you definitely got the voice," Green told Rogers after his rousing rendition of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army."
Watch Rogers audition (but grab a hankie first, because I certainly needed one!):
During Rogers' first run on reality television, he didn't divulge the intimate details of his past. But, according to Yahoo Music, Mondo Guerra of Project Runway fame inspired him to be upfront about his HIV status.
Rogers says, "Mondo was my inspiration to tell everybody.... I was watching [Project Runway] with some friends and happened to see the episode when he was telling everyone [about his HIV status], and I started crying.... I couldn't stop bawling and my friends didn't know why, and I didn't want to explain it to them, and at that moment--I was just going through the Voice auditions--I knew. I was like, 'If he has the balls to do it, then so do I.'"
My name is Miguel~ and I'm too am H.I.V. Positive that I contract from my Ex-Husband,who then abandoned me. I learned my HIV status in August 2009 on my Birthday.(smile) MY world has been a diaster every since. But I'm with CASA-House-South Bay-San Ysidro,California[San Diego].Thank you for your courage, whic I admire and your strenght.Kudos to your courage. you are so brave,because I'm not there yet,but I will soon. I just became volunteer at the social Center that treats me & where I receive my Medical/HIV and other services like Counseling. Also group meetings, so I'm now a CASA-Amigo. I have tears of proud in my eyes right now! You are now my new "Inspiration" and Poz. Role model.
Lauren, I always enjoy reading what you write for poz. This time, you hit it out of the park, this story is truly a tear jerker. Jamar has a wonderful voice and an amazing attitude towards life!! To experience what he has in life and to still have such a caring spirit,,there really is no better way to let others know what is possible in life no matter what your circumstances. I will post this video on CNY Connections for our membership to see too and probably watch The Voice now,he should win! Best of luck and many blessings for Jamar, he deserves it!
I admire and Respect you m8 .... Think Positive !
Break a leg,
While we all strive to not let the diagnosis drag us down, and to truly live a life beyond HIV, its refreshing - no, INSPIRING - to see individuals like Jamar Rogers making that dream a reality.
Thank you, Lauren, for shining the light on such an exceptional human being in our midst.
And, thank you Jamar - for just being you. The fight to shed addictions of the past can never be easy. Words don't truly seem to do justice for the amount of gratitude I have in what you have accomplished so far; you helped to lift the fog of despair for those that might have made the same mistakes, and yet never risen above them.
Keep up the good work and I wish you the best in the completition!
You are a great example for all those who feel like giving up. I too was lost, but now I am found. God bless your journey, your a star!
Jennifer
jersey city, nj
poz since 2009
I have been poz for 20yrs.and its still a hard thing to get through each day.but when I was watching the voice and I seen Jamar it was like the sun was shining.it hits me so hard everytime I hear of a young person having this.but I still remember I was once that age when I found out.Jamar gives me hope.knock them died!!!!abdominal pulling for him to win......
I enjoyed that episode. I have just recently found out my status so I havent really disclosed my status to my family and close friends. Just watching that show and the way he carry himself made me feel more comfortable with myself because he not only let postive people know but America and i respect him for that. I will continue to watch the show because i like it a lot and also to see and vote for Jamar. He showed many people that they have nothing to be ashamed of because things happen but you strive for what you want and you are what you are. If you are a singer sing, a dancer dance. what ever it maybe you can get closer to your goal if you put yourself first press forward and not put youself down but figure out a way to lift your self above.
AMAZING AND THIS STORY AND WHEN HE SANG GAVE ME CHILLS!