Gay Pop Star On Coming Out: “I Couldn't Have Become A Real Artist Until I Learned To Accept Myself.” 

Rest In Peace Ari ❤️ Your were a kind talented soul ✨

The contradictory garbage so many of us had to deal with while growing up, both straight and gay. Do't play with that doll, here play with this GI Joe. I have old 8mm movies of when I was just shy of 1 year old, my first Christmas. Don't know who the little girl in the film was but she had gotten a complete toy kitchen set including a 1940's looking, top loader barrel style washing machine with a working press ringer, the ones that has a reciprocating spindle in the middle. There was a handle on the side which made the spindle rock back and fourth. I was born with good mechanical skills and was fascinated as to how you turned the crank around and around but the spindle went back and fourth. I was told to stop playing with the girls toys and go play with the boys toys which consisted of a coloring book and a set of Lincoln Logs which was a bit above my skill level at 11 months. Playing with that toy for just a minute is still one of the earliest memories I have. I think I would have gone into mechanics much earlier if they had let me continue to try and figure that toy out. I never openly came out to my parents, although after Dad passed away, I'm pretty sure Mother figured it out when I introduced her to my "room mate" and eventual husband who passed away a year ago (34 years after we met). I miss him so much.

My father bought me literally the biggest dollhouse in the store when I was 7 and yeah, he is a beautiful soul and yeah, we are still super close and I'm 33 now... Thanks, dad! I love you.

I just saw this and remembered he voiced the singing voice in 1 of my fav cartoons from the 80’s when i was a kid. I just went to look him up and it said he passed away yesterday 2-14-2021. So sad as he was talented and a beautiful man

I'm so glad ImFromDriftwood still exists. I remember watching it back in 2010 when I was a young teenager who hadn't yet come out. Now I am open about my sexuality and it is wonderful. I look back on these videos with fondness.

His father’s words at the end of his speech... Now I’m crying.

Leave it to “religion” (doesn’t matter which one) to make people feel bad about themselves. Glad you ‘educated’ your family.......sounds like they really needed it.

#RIP ARI GOLD - MY CONDOLENCES! A TRUE MAVERICK & ENTERTAINER!! I WAS LITERALLY WATCHING YOU READ YOUR COMING OUT LETTER FROM WHEN YOU WERE A TEENAGER -ON MY IPAD- AND ON MY CELLPHONE -READING ON TWITTER THAT YOU PASSED AWAY JUST HOURS AGO EARLIRR TODAY! WOW COULDNT BELIEVE IT… STAY BLESSED PRIMO!! GOD BLESS YOU!!💐💐💐

An 18 page coming out note! I’m glad your came around.

RIP Ari. Thank you for your talents.

Beautiful story of resilience and acceptance! It’s hard to live your truth truthfully, you had the courage to do it with your faith and family intact! Great and inspiring!

Excellent video and very inspiring. Go Bronx!

I haven't seen him in years. My mother used to remind me when people say boys don't play with dolls, that toy soldiers and GI Joes ARE DOLLS!!!!

Gorgeous man

beautiful hair. my dad took a doll from me and threw it in the room with our chihuahua and it tore it to shreds. that night, I told my dad I just wish I had been born a girl and he told me to never be ashamed to be a man. this world, this world.

Amazing interview!! Thank you!

Thanks for sharing your story. We need to hear these stories from each other. It helps.

I saw Ari Gold during his performance at Providence Pride, love him, his show and standing up for all of us

Very well spoken and obviously a highly intelligent young man with a wonderful story to share. Thank you! I have had a lot of close Jewish friends over the years and all accepted and embraced me without any judgement what-so-ever. The first ones who befriended me were a very prominent and successful husband and wife couple, who owned a furniture store in my hometown and were close in age to my parent's. I went into their establishment as a customer and came out as their friend!!! They gave so much validity to me and had a positive and profound effect on my life. To think this highly regarded couple brought me into their inner circle of friendship was astounding, especially back in the late 1960's in Ohio!!!

A simple yet inspiring message powerfully conveyed.

When we plan for the future we expect a perfect outcome; young parents see their small children in 20 years time married and with children of their own; it doesn't always work out that way; fortunately, society has started to adjust to the fact that sons and daughters, brothers and sisters can be gay---an occurrence that does no harm to the family.

Thank you for sharing this. What a beautiful story, And as a doll collector I love the first part a lot!

Sadly I just read that Ari Gold passed away from leukemia on February 14, 2021

Well the title already reflects on me. There was so much lack of progress for my skills because of guilt to say the least.

beautifully expressed!

Great story.... now, I want to hear the music!!!

It wasn't easy for you Ari. Hope you are at Peace.God Bless you

People........no family and friends react so differently, I got a mattress in the garage and my own plate cup knife and fork......and 3 months to make alternative arrangements I was 15 3 months before 16. Thanks mom and dad.

So sad! He passed away today, after a long illness! A very talented musician!

I’m Baptist and I got the, it’s ok to be gay, but you just can’t BE gay, speech. 🤔

Damn I’m here to hear a story and see people views on it and all I see “omg he’s so cute” “hottie”. “I need a husband” like tf?? He’s telling his life story not tryna hookup with y’all

'Star' or not, everyone story is important. Why so few views/likes... kudos Sir, just be yourself, be happy, be safe. Hope you have a great life. x

Crazy that we live in a world where grown people still care what other grown people do with their love lives, simply baffling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I been a fan for a long time & more now after listening to your struggles & triumph. Wishing you health, prosperity, but most of all I wish you love.... Abrazos

He is beautiful!!! I'm happy for him.

I don't know what it is about Jewish men, but I'm so attracted to them.

RIP Ari Gold! Hearing your story was a great pleasure! Hopefully you are resting peacefully now!

So many of us wanted to ask for toys that we knew right from an early age "would be wrong" to ask for. I wrote a song for LGBTQ choirs (Tenor Bass arrangement) called "The What's Under The Christmas Tree For Me Blues"....Oh how I wanted that Easy Bake Oven!

The child-adult paradigm is one that must be fully understood on a personal basis by those of us who have suffered with developmental issues from an early age. My child waited for me...the adult, to become aware enough of long standing issues to begin to tackle them and achieve positive results. Then, in a moment of surreal imagery, he joined with me. My road ahead still has challenges. Feeling 'whole' again has renewed my faith in what is possible.

So sorry to hear today of your passing! So sad.

I’m a fan of Ari Gold and listen to him in the mid 2000s I enjoyed his music a lot 🥰

I am a huge fan of Ari Gold. I am in my late fifties and I still club it up occasionally to listen to his musical lol

A beautiful guy.... inside and outside

Rest in eternal peace as I am sure you are and thank you the music 🎧

He was so talented. I miss him.

Your brother knew you were gay, but was trying to talk you out of it. He also was telling you he loved you. He may have not fully comprehended his behavior.

Thanks 🙏 for your story

18 pages.............. id be crying .......from boredom .

Wow I really like this guy and his story. He has a good head on his shoulders and spoke so nicely. Wish him the best.

I was obsessed with Annie (Lennox)...

Kudos to you for getting your family to sit through an 18 page letter! Coincidentally I said almost exactly the same thing to my dad re “I’m the same person you had lunch with a few hours ago”

Great emotionaliteit story. Good to hear you have struggled but managed to push through. You should be proud of who YOU become. All the more reason to love yourself dearly....,..

Thanks for you message and good luck with all the things you are going to do with your talents.

Beautiful story 💜

OMG, he is SOOOOOO cute! Come to Israel, I need a husband!

Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing.

WTF?!? Keep getting some crap “playback error” message when I try to watch 🤬. Please fix

RIP Ari 🤍

Such a powerful message from such a handsome, talented, successful man. You are the same Ari, my hero.

Wonderful!

Beautifully expressed.

He sounds like Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.

I sure think the world of you. Thank you Ari

Pop star? Who is he?

This reminded me of Hernando from sense8. My coming out bothered people but apparently everyone assumed I'd be suddenly farting glitter. When they learned that I was the same guy from when I was straight they were like "oh......cool". My friends call me the straightest gay guy ever. Whenever I tell somebody I have a boyfriend they are completely overtaken by pure shock and it's always good for a laugh.

I love you and your music, Ari 😘

Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.

People are ridiculous with the way they're so concerned with what they're family thinks of them being gay. If they don't like it then fuck them and move on. If they like it then fine... just stop agonizing over it.

this is my first time seeing you and I'm interested in hearing your content. are you on twitter and instagram?

I got the physical scars of that religion, and sadly it seems Ari got the psychological scars from it.

As a kid I loved dirt, bugs, climbing trees and playing power rangers but I was a fan of my little ponies.

Incredible and Awesome story...

I just want his shirt.

Terrific. That took some guts to do. 😊

Love you l'am a Black man from South Carolina I'd understand I'd met someone one they tell me to love my self first and that will help you.

Mazal Tov sweetheart!! So proud of you. Such a mensch!! You are such a gift to your fam. What nonsense: "You can be gay but not act apon it" is the only way the religious community can reconcile gayness in some sorta way besides the complete banishment which makes them look irrelevant! And all those great Rabbinical minds using all their scholastic & academic intellect & thats the best they can come up with - look but dont touch?!?! WTF - human sexuality IS NOT intellectual so using the intellect to figure this stuff out by definition wont provide a true good real live-able answer. But really - its like saying yes be hungry but dont eat (also VERY Jewish BTW - LOL). G-d dont make junk. You are entitled to have a fully explored sexual life. Its stuff that we all know but other parts of society are slow learners babe, Big Ups to you XX

The Torah has all the answers to life except letting him live his 🤨🤨🤨

I see that copy of Middlesex there. I see you, Ari ;D

Yeah. He can is a hot one. Great family he has.

You obviously have good family. Gay - not gay should ultimately be a big deal, after you grow.

My oldest brother pretty much thinks that too and about other LGBTQ people ☹

OMG I love Annie and always will. She is Amazing!

Child, I thought that was Shia labeouf from the clip.

Lovely story, Ari.

That is very profound. Nowadays that’s still happens, seeing boys playing with dolls and girls playing with action figures. It doesn’t surprise me a bit. But, to each their own, I always say. 🙂

Rest in Peace Ari

I'd convert for this fellow....:)

Are you not happy to be gay? You’re special 🐰 Some may see that

LUV ARI GOLD!! CONGRATS!!

Actually, he grew up in an ORTHODOX Jewish household. The Orthodox are the old line traditional Jews, and are generally the most homophobic in their beliefs. The two other major wings of Judaism, Conservative and Reform are much more inclusive, performing same-sex marriages, etc; So the Orthodox Jews are politically conservative, and the Conservative Jews are politically liberal.

Sorry, is it just me who thinks that referring to oneself as a "GAY Pop Star" rather than as a "Pop Star who happens to be GAY" is part of the whole problem? I'm 64, was married, have children and grandchildren and came out in later life but not once did I consider myself to be a GAY Father, GAY Dad, GAY Grandpa but rather I am these things (and more) and simply happen to be GAY. I'm not even 'proud' to be gay, neither do I apologise for it, make excuses for it - Gloria Gaynor said it perfectly - "I am what I am".

“Normal” just means near 50th percentile. It’s a statistical definition of a social construct. But you don’t really want normal. You don’t want to be half-way between happy and sad. You don’t want to be half-way between functional and abused. You don’t want to be half-way between educated and ignorant. You see, you don’t really want to be normal- you want to be exceptional.

Take the term "GAYS" and replace the "A" with the number"0". Looks like a term for the nations - almost. Research the new term on the Wwweb. The answer is a fundamentalist's worst nightmare while containing ALL of the answers (for Jews & Christians) so many have looked for their adult lives! I read your necklace: Indeed - to Life!

You are so lucky, you have no idea. You are talented, handsome, nice and accepted. Want more out of life?

wow he is beautiful

WOW....you were so cute....

i don't know who this star is?

I think Ari looks a bit like Sergey Lazarev

Yo his cute af

Handsome brother