Editing Jim Verraros (section)

===2006–2007: ''Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds'' and unrealized film projects===
Twice in the mid-2000s, Verraros was called a "gay icon" by the ''Chicago Sun-Times'', first in 2004, and again in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 11, 2004 |title=Some Also-Ran Success Stories |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1527682.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120120133/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1527682.html |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |access-date=May 1, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref name="Former Idol">{{cite web |author=Misha Davenport |date=November 2, 2006 |title=Former 'Idol' helps to open gay film fest |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1386558.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093257/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1386558.html |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> The ''[[New York Post]]'' noted in 2006 that Verraros had "gained a cult following" due to his role in ''Eating Out''.<ref name="High and Low">{{cite news|author1=Philip Recchia|author2=Heather Gilmore|title=American Idol – Where Are They Now? High and Low Notes As Also-Rans Try for Post-'Idol' Encores|work=New York Post|date=May 21, 2006}}</ref> In 2009, [[PopCrush]] claimed that "almost immediately" after appearing on ''American Idol'', Verraros had become "a huge symbol within the LGBT community",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popcrush.com/top-10-contestants-season-1-american-idol-then-and-now/|author=Cristin Maher|title=See the Top 10 Contestants From Season 1 of 'American Idol' Then and Now|work=[[PopCrush]]|date=April 25, 2013|access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> and that same year, the ''[[Washington Examiner]]'' wrote that Verraros "has been a fixture in the gay world...practically becoming a gay sex-symbol through the years."<ref name="Examiner">{{cite news|author=Samuel Lora|title=Jim Verraros doesn't disturb his formula|work=[[Washington Examiner]]|date=August 21, 2009}}</ref> Verraros remained the only ''American Idol'' finalist to be publicly out until 2006, when his fellow first season finalist [[R.J. Helton]] came out.<ref name="High and Low"/><ref name="Big Gay Closet">{{cite web |author=Greg Hernandez |date=April 24, 2007 |title=American Idol's Big Gay Closet. with Its Sappy Songs, Flamboyant Contestants, and Metrosexual Host, American Idol Is the Campiest Thing on TV. but Could an Openly Gay Singer Win? |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-164159706.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501225746/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-164159706.html |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=May 1, 2018 |work=The Advocate}}</ref> Helton had confided in Verraros about his sexual orientation on the night of the first-season finale, shortly before the group went on tour and before Helton had come out to any of the other first season finalists.<ref name="Big Gay Closet"/>

Verraros returned to the role of Kyle in ''[[Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds]]'',{{efn|In between the first and second ''Eating Out'' films, Verraros performed in a [[one-act play]] called ''My Republican Boyfriend'', which was written by Chris Secor and presented as part of the show ''More Fourplay'' at the Actors Circle Theatre in the Spring of 2004.<ref name="Official Website - April 2004"/>}} which filmed during the Summer of 2006<ref name="High and Low"/><ref name="J.D.">{{cite web |author=Lydia Marcus |date=August 29, 2006 |title=J.D. Disalvatore.(SHORT ANSWERS)(Interview) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150864906.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093215/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150864906.html |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=The Advocate}}</ref> and screened in several film festivals,<ref name="J.D."/><ref name="Philadelphia">{{cite web |author=Michael Klein |date=July 4, 2006 |title=The Philadelphia Inquirer Inqlings column: local a.m. sports show for 'PEN.(Column) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-147785458.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093213/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-147785458.html |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Rick Bentley|author2=Donald Munro|title=Reel good: Quality of this year's gay film festival is tied to its growing stature|work=[[The Fresno Bee]]|date=September 12, 2006}}</ref><ref name="Former Idol"/> before receiving a theatrical release on November 22.<ref name="RT">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eating_out_2_sloppy_seconds|title=Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds (2006)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=November 22, 2006 |access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Dave Kehr|title=Seasonal Cheer And Its Antidote|work=The New York Times|date=November 5, 2006}}</ref> Brocka returned as co-writer,<ref name="J.D."/><ref name="Philadelphia"/> but passed directorial duties over to the first film's Film editor, [[Phillip J. Bartell]].<ref name="Former Idol"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Michael Wilmington |date=December 8, 2006 |title=2nd edition of gay sex comedy gets stuck on 1 joke. |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155659141.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093152/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155659141.html |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> The film features a song written by Verraros and Lopez, called "You Make It Better", which was released as a single on July 17, 2007.<ref name="Autographs"/> Like its predecessor, ''Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds'' received mostly negative reviews.<ref name="RT"/> It was described as a cinematic landmark however, by multiple publications, for being the first sequel to a [[gay film]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Dann Gire|title=No ho-ho-hum While it lacks an obvious out-of-the-box blockbuster, this movie season still has a few Oscar-worthy treats|work=Daily Herald|date=November 17, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Colin Covert |date=December 8, 2006 |title=film clips; 'EATING OUT 2: SLOPPY SECONDS'.(SCENE) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155673485.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093302/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155673485.html |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/296|author=Jason P. Freeman|title=Feature Column: Fun & Franchised|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=October 25, 2006|access-date=May 4, 2018|archive-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505070658/http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/296|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=22%|I'm halfway through...It's going to be different...rock-ier, but I'm going to throw in some twists just to screw with people.|source= —Verraros discussing his second album in a 2007 interview.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epgn.com:80/060807/3americanidol060807.htm|author=Gary M. Kramer|title=Getting sloppy with an American Idol|work=[[Philadelphia Gay News]]|year=2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421165651/http://epgn.com:80/060807/3americanidol060807.htm|archive-date=April 21, 2008}}</ref>}}

In June 2006, the ''Windy City Times'' included Verraros in its "30 Under 30" list of young figures who had made positive contributions to the LGBTQ community. Throughout that year, Verraros continued performing at local events around Chicago;<ref name="30 Under 30"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Windy-City-Times-30-Under-30-Awards-2006/11689.html|title=Windy City Times' 30 Under 30 Awards 2006|work=Windy City Times|date=June 13, 2006|access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> he was also featured on ''[[American Idol Rewind]]'', filmed a guest appearance for the pilot of a [[cooking show]] called ''The Astrological Kitchen'',<ref name="Official Website News">{{cite web|url=https://www.jimverraros.com/News/index.html|title=News|work=jimverraros.com|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231012706/https://www.jimverraros.com/News/index.html|archive-date=December 31, 2018}}</ref> and released a duet called "Sweat" with indie artist Jamie O'Brien.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://neonlimelight.com/2008/07/22/unsigned-goodness-jamie-obrien/ |author=Amanda Bradshaw |title=&#47;/Unsigned Goodness: Jamie O'Brien//|work=neonlimelight.com|date=July 22, 2008 |access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref> Once again, Verraros was named to ''Out'' magazine's "Most Intriguing People" list for that year.<ref name="Official Website News"/><ref>{{cite AV media |date=November 26, 2006 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYUeHc0OasI |people=Wilson Cruz, Jim Verraros |title=The Out 100 |publisher=[[Logo TV]] |access-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref>

In November 2006, it was reported that Verraros was living in [[East Dundee, Illinois]], with his long-time boyfriend. It was also reported at this time that Verraros' second album would be released in 2007.<ref name="Former Idol"/> In a December 2006 interview with gay-interest website Atlantaboy.com, Verraros said that ''Rollercoaster'' had been "pretty much all over the place" and that his next album would be "more focused",<ref name="Atlantaboy"/> while in April 2007, the ''[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]'' wrote that a follow-up to ''Rollercoaster'' was scheduled to be released that May.<ref name="Impact">{{cite web |date=April 10, 2007 |title=The American Idol Impact |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-161873067.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502140056/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-161873067.html |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |access-date=May 1, 2018 |work=Daily Herald}}</ref> Verraros had also told Atlantaboy.com that he was "heading more toward the film thing" and that if he ever released a music video, he would hope to co-direct it.<ref name="Atlantaboy"/> Around this time, he mentioned that he had been cast in three films; one was described as a dark LA-based romance, in which he would play a [[Cocaine dependence|cocaine addict]] who falls in love with a struggling actor,<ref name="Queercast"/><ref name="Throwback">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1560338/american-idol-throwback-where-are-nikki-mckibbin-ryan-starr-jim-verraros-now/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109134958/http://www.mtv.com/news/1560338/american-idol-throwback-where-are-nikki-mckibbin-ryan-starr-jim-verraros-now/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|author=Gil Kaufman|title='American Idol' Throwback: Where Are Nikki McKibbin, Ryan Starr, Jim Verraros Now?|publisher=MTV|date=May 23, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> another, referred to by the title ''Copacabana: Of Love and Shadows'', was described as a [[Rio de Janeiro]]-based [[Musical (film)|musical]], in which Verraros would play both male and female roles;<ref name="Queercast"/><ref name="Edge Interview"/><ref name="Throwback"/><ref name="Screen Daily">{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/peter-paige-to-star-in-brazilian-drama-copacabana/4033909.article|author=Jeremy Kay|title=Peter Paige to star in Brazilian drama Copacabana|work=[[Screen Daily]]|date=August 7, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Deep-Inside-Hollywood/17102.html|author=Romeo San Vicente|title=Deep Inside Hollywood|work=Windy City Times|date=January 2, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref>{{efn|''Copacabana: Of Love and Shadows'' was said to be co-starring [[Peter Paige]] and had Roberto Jabor listed as the director. It was set to begin filming in March 2008,<ref name="Screen Daily"/> although four years later, MTV reported that the film was still unreleased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2812729/american-idol-contestants-in-movies/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185237/http://www.mtv.com/news/2812729/american-idol-contestants-in-movies/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2018|author=Amanda Bell|title='American Idol' Contestants in Movies|publisher=MTV|date=August 14, 2012|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref>}} and the third, referred to by the title ''Pizza on Sunset'', was described as a gay LA-based [[romantic comedy]].<ref name="Pulse">{{cite web|url=http://thepulsemag.com/wordpress/2007/06/0707-eating-%E2%80%9Csloppy-seconds%E2%80%9D/|author=Robert Newton|title=07.07 Eating "Sloppy Seconds"|work=[[Pulse! (magazine)|Pulse!]]|date=June 28, 2007|access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref> By July 2007, Verraros still had not released his second album.<ref name="Queercast"/> It was announced over the summer that he was "writing and recording [the album] in [[Malibu, California]]" with producers Gary Miller and [[John Porter (musician, born 1947)|John Porter]].<ref name="Autographs"/> On a July podcast for the ''Windy City Times'', Verraros said that he was aiming for a January 2008 release.<ref name="Queercast"/>