Editing Jim Verraros

{{short description|American singer, songwriter, and actor (born 1983)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Jim Verraros
|image = <!-- [[Freely licenced]] images only. Please do not put a fair-use image here, it will be deleted - see [[WP:NONFREE]] -->
|background = solo_singer
|birth_name = James Conrad Verraros
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1983|2|8}}
|birth_place = [[Mount Prospect, Illinois]], U.S.
|origin = [[Crystal Lake, Illinois]]
|genre = {{hlist|[[Pop rock]]|[[Dance (music)|dance]]}}
|occupation = {{hlist|Singer-songwriter|actor}}
|years_active = 2002–current
|label =  [[Koch Records]]
|website =
}}
'''James Conrad Verraros''' (born February 8, 1983) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor, who placed ninth on the [[American Idol (season 1)|first season]] of ''[[American Idol]].'' [[Child of deaf adult|Raised by deaf parents]], he is fluent in [[American Sign Language]] and gained notoriety on ''American Idol'' for signing the lyrics to his audition song. After competing on the series, he released three [[pop rock]], [[Dance (music)|dance]] albums with music producer and songwriter [[Gabe Lopez]]. Verraros was also featured on the 2002 [[compilation album]] ''[[American Idol: Greatest Moments]]'', covering "[[Easy (Commodores song)|Easy]]" by the [[Commodores]] – this album reached number four on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart.

While participating in the [[American Idols LIVE! Tour 2002|2002 American Idols LIVE! tour]], Verraros came out as gay. He was the first ''American Idol'' finalist to come out, and he remained the series' only publicly gay finalist for over three years. Several organizations subsequently honored Verraros as an influential figure within the [[gay community]] (such as ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' magazine, which named him to its "Most Intriguing People" list twice, first in 2002 and again in 2006). Throughout his music career, Verraros performed at numerous [[pride events]]. He also toured at [[gay clubs]].

Verraros released his official debut album, ''[[Rollercoaster (Jim Verraros album)|Rollercoaster]]'', through independent label [[Koch Records]] in 2005. It was accompanied by two singles and received generally positive reviews. Some of the songs from ''Rollercoaster'' had previously been featured on a [[demo album]], ''Unsaid and Understood'', which Verraros had self-released through [[mp3.com]] around 2003. The lead single from ''Rollercoaster'', "You Turn It On", peaked at number twenty-one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Dance Club Songs|Dance Club Play Chart]].

In addition to music, Verraros pursued an acting career. He had a starring role in the first two installments of the [[Gay film|gay]] [[comedy film]] franchise ''[[Eating Out (film series)|Eating Out]]'', and he had a cameo in ''[[Another Gay Movie]]''. He also stayed involved with ''American Idol''-related projects for several years. In 2003, he joined with various finalists from the first two seasons of the series for a promotional tour of select shopping malls throughout the United States, and later, he co-hosted a video recap series of ''American Idol''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[American Idol (season 7)|seventh season]] for [[AfterElton.com]].

In 2007, Verraros released a non-album single about his then-to-be husband, Bill Brennan; the song, "You Make It Better", was featured in the second ''Eating Out'' film. Verraros and Brennan married in 2009. The same year as his wedding, Verraros self-released three new singles, although the accompanying second album, ''Do Not Disturb'', was not released until 2011. Following ''Do Not Disturb'', Verraros announced his intention to retire from music. He subsequently served as executive vice president of Brennan's organization, Bridal Expo Chicago and Bridal Expo Milwaukee. Verraros and Brennan have since separated.

== Early life ==
Verraros was born on February 8, 1983, in [[Mount Prospect, Illinois]]. He grew up in nearby [[Crystal Lake, Illinois|Crystal Lake]].<ref name="Queercast">{{cite AV media |url=http://www.windycityqueercast.com/shows_details.html?ID=166 |date=July 27, 2007 |title=WCQ124 Jim Verraros |medium=podcast |access-date=April 29, 2018 |publisher=[[Windy City Times|Windy City Queercast]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/113104|author=Jerry Nunn|title=Jim Verraros interview with ChicagoPride.com|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=July 26, 2007|access-date=April 29, 2018|archive-date=June 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620094819/https://chicago.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/113104|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Dream Wedding">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20302879,00.html|author=Ulrica Wihlborg|title=Jim Verraros's Dream Wedding|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=September 7, 2009|access-date=July 27, 2014|archive-date=August 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809165808/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20302879,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> His father, Nicholas,<ref name="Dream Wedding"/>{{efn|Verraros has Greek heritage on his father's side.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/>}} and mother, Debbie,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1982/03/19/page/51/article/deaf-and-mute-shes-seated-on-jury|author=Charles Mount|title=Deaf and mute, she's seated on jury|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 19, 1982|access-date=September 14, 2017}}</ref> both lost their hearing after contracting [[German measles]] as infants.<ref name="Punk Globe">{{cite interview|interviewer=Ginger Coyote|subject=Jim Verraros|url=http://www.punkglobe.com/jimverarrosinterview.html|title=Interview with Jim Verraros|type=magazine|work=Punk Globe Magazine|access-date=September 14, 2017}}</ref> Verraros was raised to be fluent in [[American Sign Language]]. The responsibility of interpreting for his parents as a child led him to relate with people older than himself, more than he did with others his own age.<ref name="Punk Globe"/><ref name="Windy City 04">{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/An-Idol-for-All-Verraros/4443.html|author=Andrew Davis|title=An 'Idol' for All: Verraros
|work=[[Windy City Times]]|date=March 17, 2004|access-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref> Reflecting on his childhood, Verraros once said, "I had to do things like hold phone conversations and discuss things with doctors and even real estate agents. I had to become well-versed not only with sign language but with people skills as well...I didn't have time for bullshit."<ref name="Windy City 04"/>

{{quote box|width=22%|quote=My facial expressions are sort of huge and over the top, and I think that does come from having to sign. When you use sign language to communicate it's mostly from the shoulders up – and mostly in your face.|source= —Verraros on how growing up with deaf parents influenced his performing style.<ref name="Atlantaboy"/>}}

Around the age of twelve or thirteen, Verraros realized that he is gay. Although he did not come out publicly until after adolescence, his [[sexual orientation]] was apparent to his classmates, who bullied him during middle school. In response, Verraros developed a more masculine appearance. In a 2003 interview, he said of the time, "I changed my image. I wore a lot of baggy jeans, I gained weight, and it was fine for a while."<ref name="Advocate Interview">{{cite news|author=Bruce C. Steele|title=A teen Idol's dreams|work=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]|date=January 21, 2003|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SWUEAAAAMBAJ&q=teen+idol%27s|access-date=January 27, 2014}}</ref> He also sought help from the [[school psychologist]] during those years. High school marked a more significant improvement for him – he became active in [[Drama school|theater]] and went on to attend [[Monmouth College]] on a theater scholarship.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/>

Upon later transferring to [[Columbia College Chicago|Columbia College]], Verraros struggled to find acting opportunities.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/> Insecure about the weight that he had put on, he began doing intensive workouts and became a vegetarian. Over the course of two and a half months, he lost around eighty pounds. Some people thought that he had developed an [[eating disorder]], and Verraros later acknowledged that he most likely did.<ref name="Windy City 04" /><ref name="Advocate Interview" />

Verraros was open about his sexual orientation with classmates at both colleges.<ref name="Windy City 04"/><ref name="Advocate Interview"/> Looking back in 2004, he said that people who had been mean to him in high school were "rooting" for him at Monmouth and that he came out to his mother and sister during this time.<ref name="Windy City 04"/><ref name="Advocate Interview"/> In another interview, he called the environment at Columbia "beyond gay-friendly".<ref name="Advocate Interview"/>

== ''American Idol'' ==
During his time at Columbia College, Verraros followed a friend's suggestion to try out for ''American Idol''<ref name="Official Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.jimverraros.com/BIO/index.html|title=Biography|work=jimverraros.com|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409155611/http://www.jimverraros.com/BIO/index.html|archive-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> and attended the auditions in Chicago<ref>{{cite web |author=Paige Wiser |date=June 21, 2009 |title=There's no business like 'Idol' business |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-128FEA62145F60B8.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326064022/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-128FEA62145F60B8.html |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |access-date=March 25, 2018 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]}}</ref> – even though his primary interest was acting.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/><ref name="Edge Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.edgechicago.com/index.php?ch=&sc=&sc3=&id=39922|author=Jay Laird|title=Jim Verraros on "Eating Out 2 – Sloppy Seconds"|work=edgemedianetwork.com|date=November 15, 2006|access-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref> Verraros later said that he had only tried out "for fun" and without any expectations.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/> In 2006, he reminisced, "I wasn't really looking for a record deal. I was looking for the experience, and everything just kind of... happened."<ref name="Edge Interview"/> The auditions were held only a few blocks away from his college dorm.<ref name="Atlantaboy">{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantaboy.com/gay_atlanta/2006/12/jim_verraros_ex.html|title=Jim Verraros: Exclusive Interview|work=Atlantaboy.com|date=December 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210011124/http://www.atlantaboy.com/gay_atlanta/2006/12/jim_verraros_ex.html|archive-date=February 10, 2007}}</ref>

Attempting to stand out, Verraros chose to sing "[[When I Fall in Love]]" by [[Nat King Cole]] at his audition, rather than a pop song.<ref name="FOFA">{{cite interview|last=Verraros|first=Jim|interviewer1=Fausto Fernós|interviewer2=Gregg Shaprio|interviewer3=Marc Felion |title=FOFA No. 417 – The Jim Verraros Comedy Hour|type=Audio interview|url=http://feastoffun.com/podcast/2007/12/26/fofa-417-the-jim-verraros-comedy-hour-122607/|date=December 26, 2007|access-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref> He was nineteen at the time.<ref name="FOFA"/><ref name="Idol Audition Episode">{{cite episode|title=Auditions|series=American Idol|network=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]|date=June 11, 2002|season=1|number=1}}</ref> While singing, he also signed the lyrics to his song.<ref name="Idol Audition Episode"/><ref name="Kindly callers">{{cite web |author=Phil Rosenthal |date=June 28, 2002 |title=Kindly callers defy Simon's 'Idol' remarks Newman's just not the retiring type |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1440382.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326064123/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1440382.html |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |access-date=March 25, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/gallery/american-idol-23-classic-sob-stories/jim-verraros-season-1|author1=MJ Santilli|author2=Annie Barrett|title='American Idol': 23 Classic Sob Stories|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 28, 2013|access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-date=March 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327144739/http://ew.com/gallery/american-idol-23-classic-sob-stories/jim-verraros-season-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''American Idol'' heavily focused on his parents' disabilities, and several publications speculated that Verraros may have been helped in the competition by sympathy votes.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/><ref name="Kindly callers"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Brian Lambert|title='idol' hour; It's wholesome, and "American Idol" is a hit because it taps the American dream of an amateur getting "discovered" and becoming a star.|work=[[Saint Paul Pioneer Press]]|date=June 25, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Clint O'Connor|title=Would-be stars get skewered on Fox's 'Idol'|work=[[The Plain Dealer]]|date=July 23, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Steven V. Cronin|title='Idol' Speculation / It's Anybody's Guess Who'll Win on Fox's Edgy Summer Series|work=[[The Press of Atlantic City]]|date=September 1, 2002}}</ref><ref name="Title belt">{{cite web |author=Phil Rosenthal |date=September 5, 2002 |title=Title belt goes to Kelly |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1452005.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084138/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1452005.html |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Chris Macias|title=American Idols|work=[[The Sacramento Bee]]|date=November 10, 2002}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=33%|quote=Jim Verraros...he's a nice kid...this was the first show that they were recording, and I kinda heard 'em, like, 'yeah, we're gonna nail Jim'. I'm like, 'what are you gonna nail Jim for? [What] do you mean, you're gonna nail Jim?'
<br /><br />So [Verraros] sings...he comes over, he's got tears in his eyes...I'm like, 'Hey, Paula Abdul said she liked you, what else matters?'...[Nigel Lythgoe] rips me off stage, takes me around back, and starts screaming at me...and I said, '[Wait] a minute, just so I understand you, if these kids come back here feeling like shit, I'm supposed to make sure they continue to feel like shit?'
|source= —Brian Dunkleman recounting his ''American Idol'' semi-finals experience.<ref name="Cracked Dunkleman"/>}}

Despite receiving positive remarks from the judges at his audition,<ref name="Idol Audition Episode"/> Verraros began receiving largely negative feedback by the Top 30 semi-finals.<ref name="Group Episode"/> Placed into Group 1 for that round<ref name="Group Episode">{{cite episode|title=Top 30: Group 1|series=American Idol|network=Fox|date=June 18, 2002|season=1|number=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1446253.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084335/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1446253.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 27, 2018|author=Phil Rosenthal|title=[ What Are You Looking At? ]|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=June 18, 2002|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> he chose to reprise "When I Fall in Love". [[Simon Cowell]] and [[Paula Abdul]] both called this the best performance that Verraros had given on the series up to that point,<ref name="Group Episode"/> but Cowell also called Verraros "ordinary" in comparison to that night's preceding performer, [[Tamyra Gray]],<ref name="Group Episode"/><ref name="Rushfield">{{cite book|last=Rushfield|first=Richard|date=January 18, 2011|title=American Idol: The Untold Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vbiZAAAAQBAJ&q=%22ejay+day%22&pg=PT84|location=New York City|publisher=[[Hachette Books]]|isbn=9781401396527}}</ref> and declared, "I think if you win this competition, we would have failed."<ref name="Kindly callers"/><ref name="Title belt"/><ref name="Group Episode"/><ref name="Rushfield"/><ref name="Chatter">{{cite web |author=Jae-Ha Kim |date=October 15, 2002 |title=Some idol chatter on the road |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1465415.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041318/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1465415.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> Jessica Shaw of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called this the harshest critique that Cowell had given to any contestant on the series up to that point.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2002/07/02/simons-top-10-worst-american-idol-disses/|author=Jessica Shaw|title=Simon's top 10 worst ''American Idol'' disses|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 2, 2002|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> First season co-host [[Brian Dunkleman]] recalled in a 2014 [[podcast]] overhearing the judges say that they were going to "nail Jim" on the night of the semi-finals.<ref name="Cracked Dunkleman">{{cite AV media|people=[[Adam Tod Brown]]; [[Brian Dunkleman]]; [[David Huntsberger]]; Jeff May|year=2014|title=Life After Reality Television|medium=Podcast|url=http://www.cracked.com/blog/4-celebrities-who-got-blacklisted-doing-right-thing/|access-date=September 24, 2014|publisher=[[Cracked.com]]|time=11:26–13:00}}</ref> After the performance, Dunkleman offered Verraros reassurance, but during a [[commercial break]], the series' [[Executive producer#Television|executive producer]], [[Nigel Lythgoe]], purportedly took Dunkleman backstage and raged against him for not further demoralizing Verraros. Dunkleman recounted this as a partial explanation for why he quit the series after its first season.<ref name="Cracked Dunkleman"/>

Phil Rosenthal of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' speculated that the severity of Cowell's comments during the semi-finals may have increased audience support for Verraros,<ref name="Kindly callers" /><ref name="Title belt" /> who was voted through to the top ten.<ref name="Kindly callers"/><ref name="Rushfield"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Phil Rosenthal |date=June 21, 2002 |title=2 series in the can, and neither one breaks out |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1446610.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084515/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1446610.html |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref name="Norcross">{{cite news|title=Norcross' Singing Idol|date=June 21, 2002|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ed Bark |date=July 2, 2002 |title=British judge mows down wannabes on 'American Idol'.(The Dallas Morning News) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-88237198.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327144642/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-88237198.html |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2018 |work=[[Knight Ridder]] / [[Tribune News Service]]}}</ref> Originally, Verraros was going to be cut anyway. In his 2011 tell-all book, ''American Idol: The Untold Story'', Richard Rushfield revealed that a "judge's cut" was going to be introduced as a twist to the semi-finals. After the Group 1 results episode went off air, Cowell went to the three contestants who had been voted through to the finals{{efn|The three contestants voted through to the finals from Group 1 were Verraros, Gray, and [[Ryan Starr]].<ref name="Rushfield"/><ref name="Norcross"/>}} and told Verraros that the judges were overruling his advancement to the next round. Rushfield wrote that "A stunned Verraros and his fellow contestants burst into tears" upon hearing the announcement.<ref name="Rushfield"/> Before the twist could be aired, Lythgoe reversed the decision, arguing that the audience's preference should be respected.<ref name="Rushfield"/> In 2020, Lythgoe and Verraros spoke together on a podcast and shared their own memories of the "judge's cut", clarifying that it actually occurred on the performance night rather than the results night.<ref>{{cite podcast|date=July 16, 2020|title=Second Semi-Final|series=''Idol Memories with Nigel Lythgoe''|number=4|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-semi-final-and-jim-verraros/id1502301315?i=1000485156820|access-date=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

His place in the top ten secure, Verraros planned to sing "[[Get Ready (The Temptations song)|Get Ready]]" by [[The Temptations]] for the first round of finals. The week's theme was [[Motown]]. Verraros won a coin toss against [[Kelly Clarkson]], who also wanted to sing "Get Ready", but he switched course upon considering how much of the song is in [[falsetto]]. With a limited selection of Motown songs available for him to choose from, Verraros settled on "[[Easy (Commodores song)|Easy]]" by [[The Commodores]], even though he was unfamiliar with it.<ref name="FOFA"/> The judges were critical of the performance.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Top 10 Perform|series=American Idol|network=Fox|date=July 16, 2002|season=1|number=10}}</ref> Two contestants were voted off that week, and Verraros was the second eliminated, following [[EJay Day]].<ref name="Rushfield"/><ref>{{cite episode|title=Top 10 Results|series=American Idol|network=Fox|date=July 17, 2002|season=1|number=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Don Kaplan|title=Idol' Time to Idle Time for 2 More Booted Popsters|work=[[New York Post]]|date=July 18, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Phil Rosenthal |date=July 19, 2002 |title='Sex' women struggle to settle down |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1453770.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041138/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1453770.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Monica Collins |date=July 23, 2002 |title='Idol' curiosity; Fox's talent show captures public's fancy as final rounds begin.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89427444.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124212744/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89427444.html |archive-date=January 24, 2018 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |work=[[Boston Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Perigard |date=July 24, 2002 |title=Arts & TV in Brief.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89495563.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328164602/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89495563.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |work=Boston Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html|author=Rick Porter|title=America Voted – and 2 'Idol' Contestants Are Gone|work=[[Zap2it]]|date=July 18, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030220233648/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?27052|archive-date=February 20, 2003}}</ref>

=== Performances ===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Episode
!Theme
!Song choice
!Original artist
!Order
!Result
|-
|Audition
|Auditioner's Choice
|"[[When I Fall in Love]]"
|[[Nat King Cole]]
|N/A
|Advanced
|-
|Hollywood
|Contestant's Choice
|"[[Ain't No Mountain High Enough]]"
|[[Marvin Gaye]] and [[Tammi Terrell]]
|N/A
|Advanced
|-
|Top 30
|Contestant's Choice
|"When I Fall in Love"
|Nat King Cole
|2
|Advanced
|-
|Top 10
|[[Motown]]
|"[[Easy (Commodores song)|Easy]]"
|[[The Commodores]]
|7
|Eliminated
|}

=== Public response ===
When Verraros advanced into the top ten for ''American Idol''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first season, Shaw (of ''Entertainment Weekly'') wrote of the contestant, "I can't decide whether I love him or loathe him."<ref name="Dish">{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/recap/we-dish-first-weeks-winners/|author=Jessica Shaw|title=We dish on the first week's winners|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 4, 2003|access-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref> She likened Verraros to a forgettable [[boy-band]] member, but also wrote that she had appreciated Verraros' decision to use sign language during his audition.<ref name="Dish"/> After Verraros was voted off the series, Shaw wrote of him, "I genuinely felt bad for the guy...Of course, I could have told you all that he wasn't advancing on to the next round. You can't follow up stellar singers like Tamyra and [[Justin Guarini|Justin [Guarini]]] with a tepid rendition of 'Easy.'"<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/recap/ejay-and-jim-get-booted-wheres-simon/|author=Jessica Shaw|title=EJay and Jim get booted – but where's Simon?|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 4, 2003|access-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref> Jim Derogatis of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' was more favorable. After watching all of the top ten finalists perform on their nationwide tour, he suggested that Verraros should have placed seventh and commended him for "doing as well as anyone could" with poor singing-material (referring to "Easy").<ref name="Derogatis">{{cite web |author=Jim Derogatis |date=October 18, 2002 |title=Sizing up the top 10 idols |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1461358.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028185254/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1461358.html |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> Another positive review of Verraros came from Rick Shefchik of the ''[[Saint Paul Pioneer Press]]'', who wrote that Verraros sang a "tender version" of "When I Fall in Love" during the competition.<ref>{{cite web |author=Rick Shefchik |date=August 2, 2002 |title=New voices reach for something old. |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-120215698.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328231230/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-120215698.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=March 28, 2018 |work=Saint Paul Pioneer Press}}</ref> Most critics, however, voiced negative opinions. Amy Amatangelo of the ''[[Boston Herald]]'' wrote that Verraros "lacked stage presence"<ref>{{cite web |author=Amy Amatangello |date=September 5, 2002 |title=Singing waitress serves up a winner.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91110004.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028185254/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91110004.html |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |access-date=March 28, 2018 |work=Boston Herald}}</ref> and Eric Deggans of ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'' called Verraros "obviously overmatched" among the other first season finalists.<ref>{{cite news|author=Eric Deggans|title=An Idol is Born|work=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|date=September 5, 2002}}</ref> In his review of ''[[American Idol: Greatest Moments]]'', Chuck Campbell of ''[[The Herald News]]'' was critical of Verraros' track on the album, writing "Verraros takes it too easy on his slack interpretation of [[Lionel Richie]]'s Easy."<ref>{{cite web |author=Chuck Campbell |date=October 17, 2002 |title=CD reviews |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0F7137AA1C4FBDDF.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328231145/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0F7137AA1C4FBDDF.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=March 28, 2018 |work=[[The Herald News]]}}</ref>

==Post-''Idol'' life and career==
===2002–2003: ''American Idol'' tour and related projects===
About a month after being voted out of the top ten on ''American Idol'''s first season, Verraros joined thirteen other former contestants from the series to perform at various events in [[Northwest Indiana]].<ref name="Tournament to feature">{{cite web |author=Richard Grey |date=August 12, 2002 |title=Tournament to feature food, haircuts and 'Idols' |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FF67AD9D522C725.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041218/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FF67AD9D522C725.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |work=[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]]}}</ref><ref name="basketball event">{{cite web |author=Lorell Fleming |date=August 17, 2002 |title='American Idol' contestants to appear at basketball event |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FF67AE237EB6C28.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041034/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FF67AE237EB6C28.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |work=Post-Tribune}}</ref>{{efn|This group was initiated by Mark Scott, an ''American Idol'' semi-finalist from the area, for the main purpose of performing at "Let's Go to the Hoop", a [[3x3 (basketball)|3-on-3]] children's basketball tournament in [[Gary, Indiana]].<ref name="Tournament to feature"/><ref name="basketball event"/>}} He participated in a group medley during ''American Idol''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first season finale<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/recap/she-champion-kelly-wins-american-idol/|author=Jessica Shaw|title=She is the champion! Kelly wins ''American Idol''|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 4, 2003|access-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Amy Amatangelo |date=September 5, 2002 |title=Singing waitress serves up a winner.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91110004.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028185254/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91110004.html |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |work=Boston Herald}}</ref> and a few weeks later, he reunited with all of the series' top thirty contestants for the ''American Idol in Las Vegas'' TV special.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=August 30, 2002 |title='American Idol' Finalists Plan Arena Tour, Compilation Album |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/nap076/american-idol-finalists-plan-arena-tour-compilation-album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408234834/https://www.mtv.com/news/nap076/american-idol-finalists-plan-arena-tour-compilation-album |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |publisher=MTV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Keveney |first=Bill |date=January 21, 2003 |title=Old 'Idol' hands are hard at work |work=USA Today |pages=D.03}}</ref> Verraros then participated through October and November in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2002, along with his fellow top ten finalists.<ref name="Chatter"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Walt Belcher|title=Tour To Keep Series Contestants From Being Idle|work=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|date=August 19, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457276/american-idol-finalists-plan-arena-tour-compilation-album/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325233022/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457276/american-idol-finalists-plan-arena-tour-compilation-album/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 25, 2018|author=Gil Kaufman|title='American Idol' Finalists Plan Arena Tour, Compilation Album|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=August 30, 2002|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Natasha Kassulke |date=September 12, 2002 |title=Idols Go on Tour |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91436267.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041051/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91436267.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |work=[[The Wisconsin State Journal]]}}</ref> For each stop of the tour, he reprised his performance of "Easy" from the series.<ref name="Derogatis"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-10-25/news/0210250003_1_american-idol-christina-christian-finalist|author=Sean Piccoli|title=Idols Croon in Sunrise|work=[[Sun Sentinel]]|date=October 25, 2002|access-date=March 30, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605125048/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-10-25/news/0210250003_1_american-idol-christina-christian-finalist|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Amy Amatangello |date=October 30, 2002 |title=Idols make grasp for stardom.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-93631958.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325105854/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-93631958.html |archive-date=March 25, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2018 |work=Boston Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Kevin C. Johnson|title=Corny 'American Idols' Showcases Almost-Knowns|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=November 7, 2002}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=33%|quote=Oh, well, you know we were really shocked about that...We had no idea he was gay. Jim Verraros actually came up to me at a show and said, 'Simon, I've got something to tell you.' I said, 'What?' He said, 'I'm gay.' I said, 'Yeah?' He went, 'Well, I've come out.' I said, 'Jim, you came out the second you appeared on this bloody show.'|source= —Simon Cowell in March 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99850220.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430045857/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99850220.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 30, 2018|title=Simon and the gay Idols. (the Buzz).(Simon Cowell, Will Young, Jim Verraros)(Brief Article)|work=The Advocate|date=March 18, 2003|access-date=April 29, 2018}}</ref>}}

Prior to competing on ''American Idol'', Verraros had been open about his sexual orientation through an online journal. ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]'', an American LGBT-interest magazine, discovered this journal while Verraros was on the series and contacted [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] with an interview request for the contestant. One day later, the journal was deleted.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Idol+gossip.+(The+Buzz).-a090990464|title=Idol gossip|work=The Advocate|date=September 3, 2002|access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref> Verraros later explained to ''The Advocate'' that his journal had been removed because Fox did not want it to give him an unfair advantage in the competition.{{efn|Years later, Verraros remarked, "Looking back, [the network's policy] could be interpreted a bunch of different ways. One possibility is that they didn't want me to [come out]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetout.com:80/entertainment/2009/08/the-full-package-jim-verraros.html|author=Robert Ordona|title=The Full Package: Jim Verraros|work=[[PlanetOut Inc.]]|date=August 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826221810/http://www.planetout.com:80/entertainment/2009/08/the-full-package-jim-verraros.html#more|archive-date=August 26, 2009}}</ref>}} Verraros was open about his sexuality with the other ''American Idol'' finalists, whom he described as being very supportive.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/>

Verraros came out publicly during the ''American Idol'' tour.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/><ref name="Tinseltown">{{cite web |author=Elizabeth Snead |date=November 29, 2002 |title=Tinseltown Spywitness |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9014122.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401075226/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9014122.html |archive-date=April 1, 2018 |access-date=March 31, 2018 |work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]}}</ref> He also came out to his father at this time.<ref name="Advocate Interview"/> In November 2002, Verraros was named as one of "2002's Most Intriguing People" by ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'', another LGBT-interest magazine.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 2002|title=Out 100 – Television: Jim Verraros|magazine=[[Out (magazine)|Out]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u2IEAAAAMBAJ&q=verraros|location=Los Angeles|publisher=[[Here Publishing]]|page=74}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://out.com:80/feature.asp|title=Out.com Feature|work=Out|date=December 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021211104837/http://out.com:80/feature.asp|archive-date=December 11, 2002}}</ref><ref name="Tinseltown"/><ref name="Windy City 05">{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/m/APParticle.php?AID=7903&i=11&s=Entertainment|author=Lawrence Ferber|title=Jim Verraros: Rollercoaster Life|work=Windy City Times|date=April 6, 2005|access-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Pride DC">{{cite web|url=http://dc.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/94096 |title=Jim Verraros interview with PrideDC.com |work=dc.gopride.com |access-date=September 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722055203/http://dc.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/94096 |archive-date=July 22, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Joins ChicagoPride">{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/3103696 |title=Jim Verraros Joins ChicagoPride.com for Pride Parade |work=ChicagoPride.com|access-date=September 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521170500/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/3103696 |archive-date=May 21, 2013 }}</ref> Around that time, Verraros said, "I just thought it was time to come out. I really hate the segregation and only being able to hold hands in [[gay bars]]. We have to start breaking down the barriers. I want to be a gay advocate and let teens know that being gay is just a small part of who you are. And if people don't like it, it's their problem, not yours."<ref name="Tinseltown"/> Verraros gave an extensive interview to ''The Advocate'' in January 2003,<ref name="Advocate Interview"/> which was described as his official "coming out",<ref name="Windy City 05"/><ref name="Pride DC"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Dave White |date=July 8, 2003 |title=The gay blogging revolution. (On the Web). |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-105367786.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430113930/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-105367786.html |archive-date=April 30, 2018 |access-date=April 29, 2018 |work=The Advocate}}</ref> and in May, he participated in [[Pride parade#United States|Boston's Youth Pride march]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Rick Dunn |date=March 13, 2003 |title=A Busy Month for Drag Kings, Poets, and Gay Glitterati |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7761382.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401213201/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7761382.html |archive-date=April 1, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2018 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref>

The ''American Idol: Greatest Moments'' album, released October 1, 2002, features a recorded version of Verraros singing "Easy".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2002/09/01/heres-what-youll-hear-american-idol-cd/|author=Gary Susman|title=Here's what you'll hear on the ''American Idol'' CD|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 1, 2002|access-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|date=September 19, 2002|title=RCA Records to Release American Idol: Greatest Moments on October 1|url=http://www.planetpdf.com/planetpdf/pdfs/AmericanIdol091902.pdf|publisher=[[RCA Records]]|access-date=December 17, 2016|archive-date=April 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401141033/http://www.planetpdf.com/planetpdf/pdfs/AmericanIdol091902.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album reached No. 4 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/soundtrack/chart-history/tlp/|title=American Idol: Greatest Moments|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref> Asked during his run on ''American Idol'' what he might call his debut album, Verraros suggested "So You Say".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanidol.com:80/contestants/season1/jim_verraros/|title=American Idol: Season 1 Contestants – Jim Verraros|work=americanidol.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625055942/http://www.americanidol.com:80/contestants/season1/jim_verraros/|archive-date=June 25, 2006}}</ref> Verraros moved to Los Angeles after the ''American Idol'' tour and was turned down by several [[Talent agent|agencies]].<ref name="Finding Fame">{{cite web |author=Tom O'Konowitz |date=May 24, 2005 |title=Finding Fame after 'Idol' Suburban Singer Capitalizes on His TV Success to Build a Music Career |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132922095.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035456/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132922095.html |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2018 |work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]}}</ref><ref name="Queer Cinema">{{cite web |author1=Adam B. Vary |author2=Dennis Hensley |date=April 26, 2005 |title=Here Comes the New New Queer Cinema: The First Wave of Queer Cinema Slowed to a Trickle Years Ago. Now a Flood of Smart, Fun New Movies Is Washing into Theaters |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-133014789.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403234849/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-133014789.html |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |access-date=April 3, 2018 |work=The Advocate}}</ref> While in LA, he lived for two years with [[Natalie Burge]] and [[Christopher Aaron]], both of whom were in the Top 30 with him on ''American Idol''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.speakfreewithjb.com/jim.html|author=Jeremy Bradley|title=SpeakFree Celebrity Sightings brought to you by Peerflix – Jim Verraros|work=speakfreewithjb.com|year=2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603172549/http://www.speakfreewithjb.com/jim.html|archive-date=June 3, 2006}}</ref><ref name="Burge Interview">{{cite web|url=http://idolphenomena.blogspot.com/2008/07/interview-with-natalie-burge-and-ryan.html|title=Interview with Natalie Burge and Ryan Farrar|work=IdolPhenomena|date=July 24, 2008|access-date=May 13, 2018}}</ref>{{efn|Burge had a small role in ''Eating Out''<ref name="Burge Resume">{{cite web|url=http://natalieburge.com:80/resume.htm|author=Natalie Burge|title=Natalie Burge's Resume|work=natalieburge.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015162453/http://natalieburge.com:80/resume.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/natalie_burge/|title=Natatlie Burge|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=May 13, 2018}}</ref> and performed as a dancer in at least one of Verraros' shows.<ref name="Burge Interview"/><ref name="Burge Resume"/>}} Throughout the Spring of 2003, Verraros participated in Coca-Cola's Behind the Scenes With American Idol promotional tour, in which he and a selection of other finalists from the first two seasons of the series performed across the country in shopping malls owned by the [[Simon Property Group]].<ref>{{cite press release|date=April 3, 2003|title=Coca-Cola 'Behind-The-Scenes With. American Idol' Tour Kicks Off|url=http://investors.simon.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=113968&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=397823|publisher=[[Simon Property Group]]|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Gayle Fee |author2=Laura Raposa |date=April 4, 2003 |title=Clint's return to Hub is music to BSO and chorus.(News) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99624141.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401213348/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99624141.html |archive-date=April 1, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2018 |work=Boston Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7783132.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401213328/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7783132.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 1, 2018|author1=Carol Beggy|author2=Al Young|title=Baranski Gains Emerson Fans; Community Servings Event Hums|work=The Boston Globe|date=April 5, 2003|access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=April 24, 2003 |title='American Idol' tour to appear at Orland mall |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FEBFDC4DC1AE3E8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325105857/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FEBFDC4DC1AE3E8.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 25, 2018 |publisher=[[The Herald-News]] |access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ted Cox |date=April 24, 2003 |title=In the air.(Suburban Living) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-100913896.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325110154/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-100913896.html |archive-date=March 25, 2018 |access-date=December 16, 2016 |work=Daily Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/05/01/ousted-idol-contestants-launch-mall-tour|author=Gary Susman|title=Ousted ''Idol'' contestants launch mall tour|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 1, 2003|access-date=December 17, 2016}}</ref>

===2003–2005: ''Unsaid and Understood'', ''Eating Out'', and ''Rollercoaster''===
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and music producer [[Gabe Lopez]] reached out to Verraros, after hearing ''American Idol: Greatest Moments''. The two began a collaboration based out of Lopez's [[home studio]].<ref name="Queer Cinema"/> Unsigned to a record label, Verraros [[Independent music|self-released]] his debut album, ''Unsaid and Understood'', in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |author=Adam B. Vary |date=November 11, 2003 |title=Doin' It for Themselves: Queer Musicians Join Authors and Filmmakers in Subverting Corporate Distribution Channels with the DIY Movement |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111166128.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404200916/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111166128.html |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |access-date=April 3, 2018 |work=The Advocate}}</ref> While recording the album, he worked at a [[tanning salon]] and at a [[Call centre|phone bank]].<ref name="Queer Cinema"/> ''Unsaid and Understood'' was included on a list of six indie albums by [[LGBT music|gay and lesbian artists]] recommended by Adam B. Vary of ''The Advocate''. Vary wrote that Verraros "sings with true passion and bracing maturity" on the album and singled out the track "So Deep", for being "so dirty even [[Xtina]] would blush."<ref>{{cite web |author=Adam B. Vary |date=November 11, 2003 |title=Doin' It for Themselves: Queer Musicians Join Authors and Filmmakers in Subverting Corporate Distribution Channels with the DIY Movement |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111166128.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404200916/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111166128.html |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |access-date=April 8, 2018 |work=The Advocate}}</ref> Another track on the album, "I Want You", was included on ''Bi the People'', a 2003 [[compilation album]] of "bisexual artists and friends", which was released to raise money for the [[Bisexual Foundation]].<ref name="Bi">{{cite web |author=Dave White |date=December 9, 2003 |title=Bi, Bi, Bi: In a New Music Anthology, Bisexual Artists Raise Funds to Fight Old Ideas of Who They Are |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111850682.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110053/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111850682.html |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |access-date=April 8, 2018 |work=The Advocate}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/2003-MUSIC-SEASON/1646.html|author=Gregg Shapiro|title=2003 Music Season|work=Windy City Times|date=October 1, 2003|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> Multiple tracks from ''Unsaid and Understood'' topped the Rock and Pop charts on [[mp3.com]],<ref name="30 Under 30">{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Jim-Verraros/11830.html|title=Jim Verraros – 30 Under 30 Award Honoree, 2006|work=Windy City Times|date=June 21, 2006|access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> and the album won the 2004 Out Music Award for Outstanding New Recording – Debut Male.<ref name="Finding Fame"/><ref name="Sing out">{{cite news|author=Jason Victor Serinus|title=Sing out, Louise: OutMusic Awards show artistic maturity|work=[[Bay Windows]]|date=July 22, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jimverraros.com:80/id8.html|title=Bio|work=Jimverraros.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307083200/http://www.jimverraros.com:80/id8.html|archive-date=March 7, 2005}}</ref> A tour of [[gay club]]s was undertaken to promote the album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cmQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Verraros%22+%22come+out%22+%22tour%22&pg=PA79|author=Michael Giltz|title=Why can't the Idol be gay?|date=May 11, 2004|magazine=The Advocate|publisher=Here Publishing|location=Los Angeles|page=79}}</ref><ref name="Official Website - April 2004">{{cite web|url=http://www.jimverraros.com:80/index.html|title=jimverraros.com – Home|work=jimverraros.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404010633/http://www.jimverraros.com:80/index.html|archive-date=April 4, 2004}}</ref>

Around the same time that Verraros was recording ''Unsaid and Understood'', [[Q. Allan Brocka]], an ''American Idol'' fan, cast Verraros as Kyle in his 2004 gay-themed comedy ''[[Eating Out]]''.<ref name="Finding Fame"/><ref name="Queer Cinema"/> The film was produced on a budget of less than $1&nbsp;million<ref name="Queer Cinema"/> by Ariztical Entertainment.<ref name="Queer Cinema"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Dan Bennett |date=May 9, 2004 |title=Ariztical expanding with gay product.(Gay & Lesbian) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118235970.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410072237/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118235970.html |archive-date=April 10, 2018 |access-date=April 9, 2018 |work=Video Store}}</ref> Filming lasted ten days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dc.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/103924|author=Jason P. Freeman|title=Jim Verraros|work=dc.gopride.com|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513011524/http://dc.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/103924|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although intended as a [[straight-to-DVD]] release, it secured limited theatrical distribution in 2005,<ref name="Queer Cinema"/> after performing well in film festivals.<ref name="Finding Fame"/><ref name="Queer Cinema"/> Two songs from ''Unsaid and Understood'', "I Want You" and "Welcome to Hollywood", are included in ''Eating Out'', as is a third song performed by Verraros, called "Visions of You".<ref name="Pride DC"/><ref name="Autographs">{{cite press release|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/4738336|date=July 26, 2007|title=Chicagoan Jim Verraros to Sign Autographs on Saturday|location=Chicago|publisher=ChicagoPride.com|access-date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111929/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/4738336|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|date=February 14, 2004|title=Eating Out''—Credits''|publisher=Ariztical Entertainment}}</ref> Writing again for ''The Advocate'', Vary (along with Dennis Hensley) placed ''Eating Out'' among a group of films released in the mid-2000s that he and Hensley felt constituted a "New New Queer Cinema", after the initial "[[New Queer Cinema]]" movement faded in the 1990s.<ref name="Queer Cinema"/> Vary also argued that, as a college [[sex comedy]], ''Eating Out'' is notable for being an early example of a gay [[Film genre|genre film]].<ref name="Queer Cinema"/> ''Eating Out'' received mostly negative reviews,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eating_out/|title=Eating Out (2004)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=February 14, 2004 |access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref> although Verraros was praised for his performance by Dana Stevens in a review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', who wrote that Verraros "has a scrappy energy that sets him apart from the bland and vulgar proceedings" of the film.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dana Stevens|title=Eating Out|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 8, 2005}}</ref>

====''Rollercoaster''====
{{see also|Rollercoaster (Jim Verraros album)}}
According to ChicagoPride.com, Verraros pitched ''Unsaid and Understood'' to "every major label in the U.S. two or three times" without success.<ref name="Metzke">{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/3362481|author=Ross Von Metzke|title=Jim Verraros|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=November 29, 2005|access-date=May 4, 2018|archive-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505070710/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/3362481|url-status=dead}}</ref> Verraros then pursued a record deal in the United Kingdom, hoping that British labels would be more willing to work with an openly gay artist, although nothing materialized from this.<ref name="Metzke"/> New York-based indie label [[Koch Records]] began communicating with Verraros over the summer of 2004 about the possibility of featuring him on a compilation album of songs by ''American Idol'' finalists. Verraros sent Koch Records a [[demo tape]] and was signed to the label within a week.<ref name="Finding Fame"/><ref name="Metzke"/><ref name="Makeover">{{cite news|author=Don Kaplan|title=Extreme Makeover – First-Year Idols New Look|work=New York Post|date=April 6, 2005}}</ref><ref name="Megastar">{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/05/26/megastar-status-eludes-even-idols/|author1=Stephen Kiehl|author2=Abigail Tucker|title=Megastar status eludes even Idols|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=May 26, 2005|access-date=April 29, 2018}}</ref> ''Unsaid and Understood'' was then revamped and released through Koch Records as ''[[Rollercoaster (Jim Verraros album)|Rollercoaster]]'' on April 26, 2005.<ref name="Sing out"/><ref name="Five">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwherald.com/2010/08/26/five-on-the-side-our-top-5-local-reality-show-contestants/avh05f6/|title=Five on the Side: Our top 5 local reality show contestants|work=[[Northwest Herald]]|date=August 26, 2010|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010908/http://www.nwherald.com/2010/08/26/five-on-the-side-our-top-5-local-reality-show-contestants/avh05f6/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Constantine's Pre-'Idol' Band Gets Record Deal|work=Zap2It|date=April 22, 2005}}</ref><ref name="AllMusic Overview">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rollercoaster-mw0000342222|title=Jim Verraros – ''Rollercoaster'' – Overview|work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>{{efn|An article for ChicagoPride.com suggested that the album was initially scheduled for a March release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/127|author=Jason Paul|title=B Scene: QE2 Unmasked|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=January 16, 2005|access-date=April 28, 2018|archive-date=April 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429024653/http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/127|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} This was marketed as Verraros' official debut.<ref name="Pride DC"/><ref name="Joins ChicagoPride"/> The album recycles several songs from ''Unsaid and Understood'', in addition to featuring new material.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.lib.rochester.edu/IN/RBSCP/Databases/Attachments/Closet/2006/2006_February.pdf|author=Sherrill Fulghum|title=CD Reviews: The East Village Opera Company|date=February 2006|magazine=[[The Empty Closet]]|publisher=Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley|page=10 B}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=33%|'Idol' sort of cranks out these performers and then they become sort of forgettable, so I knew I had to find a way to stand out. I decided to do the whole rock star thing with makeup and mascara and sexed up my image a bit. I needed to grow up and change – and change is good.|source= —Jim Verraros on his image change after ''American Idol''.<ref name="Atlantaboy"/>}}

Several publications noted that Verraros went through a significant image change between his time on ''American Idol'' and the release of ''Rollercoaster''. Verraros explained that he had "come into [himself]" during that time,<ref name="Finding Fame"/> having improved his figure and become more involved within the [[LGBT community]]. ''The Advocate'' wrote that on ''American Idol'', Verraros had been "a slightly geeky kid with a stiff stance...[and] a preppy look [that] included dark- rimmed glasses, spiky hair and a [[stone-washed]] [[jeans jacket]]" – in contrast, ''The Advocate'' wrote, Verraros possessed "bad-boy good looks" and "long rock-star hair" when ''Rollercoaster'' was released.<ref name="Finding Fame"/> The ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' added that the "shaggy dark cut, [[eye makeup]] and slick threads" that Verraros had adopted at the time gave him sex appeal.<ref name="Houston">{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/movies/article/Jim-Verraros-turns-his-Idol-time-into-new-movie-1940130.php|author=Joey Guerra|title=Jim Verraros turns his Idol time into new movie, album|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=May 12, 2005|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Verraros himself assessed his look on ''American Idol'' as having been "[very] Midwestern" – he said that he was wanting to distance himself from associations with the series<ref name="Makeover"/> and that he was excited "to see how people would react to such a crazy change".<ref name="Makeover"/>

A release party for ''Rollercoaster'' was held on April 27, 2005, at the [[Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood)|Roxy Theatre]] in Hollywood.<ref name="Pride DC"/><ref name="Finding Fame"/> The date was chosen to follow ''Eating Out''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Spring premiere in US theaters.<ref name="Out Review">{{cite magazine|date=June 2005|title=Music – Jim Verraros – Rollercoaster|magazine=Out|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dGIEAAAAMBAJ&q=verraros&pg=PA78|location=Los Angeles|publisher=Here Publishing|page=78}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=33%|People assume that once you make it to the top ten, [you're] given these amazing opportunities...But we were the guinea pigs. Then it [''American Idol''] blew up and became this huge phenomenon. Now, as a solo artist, I would kill for that kind of exposure again.|source= —Jim Verraros in November 2005.<ref name="Metzke"/>}}

"You Turn It On" was released as ''Rollercoaster''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first single.<ref name="Finding Fame"/><ref name="Houston"/> The song debuted at number forty-eight on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Dance Club Songs|Dance Club Play Chart]],<ref name="Pride DC"/> where it spent eleven weeks,<ref name="Billboard Chart">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jim-verraros/chart-history/dsi/|title=Jim Verraros You Turn It On Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 5, 2018}}</ref> peaking in early June at number twenty-one.<ref name="Billboard Chart"/><ref name="Megastar"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/american-idol-finalists-make-chart-debut-wbna8077178|title='American Idol' finalists make chart debut|work=[[Today.com]]|date=June 2, 2005|access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Catching Up">{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/gallery/american-idol-catching-13-former-contestants/jim-verraros/#jim-verraros|author=Sandra Gonzalez|title='American Idol': Catching up With 13 Former Contestants!|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 22, 2010|access-date=May 1, 2018|archive-date=May 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064823/http://ew.com/gallery/american-idol-catching-13-former-contestants/jim-verraros/#jim-verraros|url-status=dead}}</ref>

"You're Getting Crazy (Estas Enloqueciendo)" was released in October as the album's second single.<ref name="Metzke"/><ref name="Billboard Crazy">{{cite magazine|date=October 22, 2005|title=Singles – Dance|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ERUEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22You+Turn+IT+On%22+%22Billboard%22&pg=PA74|page=74}}</ref> ''Billboard'' wrote that it "treads in similar territory [as "You Turn It On"] stirring the beats into a simmering frenzy."<ref name="Billboard Crazy"/> The song received multiple remixes by Mike Cruz and L.E.X, which Edgemedianetwork.com called "as slick, upbeat and professional as anything else currently climbing the charts."<ref name="Metzke"/><ref name="Billboard Crazy"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/news///44466|author=Rick Dunn|title="You're Getting Crazy" Remixes|work=edgemedianetwork.com|date=October 20, 2005|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> ''Billboard'' suggested that the song could become a hit, if Verraros released an accompanying music video,<ref name="Billboard Crazy"/> although no music videos were ever released for any of the songs on ''Rollercoaster''.<ref name="Speak Free 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.speakfreewithjb.com:80/jim2.html|author=Jeremy Bradley|title=SpeakFree Celebrity Sightings – Jim Verraros pg. 2|work=speakfreewithjb.com|year=2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308145834/http://www.speakfreewithjb.com:80/jim2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2008}}</ref>

Shortly after releasing ''Rollercoaster'', Verraros moved back to Crystal Lake, where he lived with his family for a time.<ref name="Punk Globe"/><ref name="Finding Fame"/> Over the summer of 2005, he performed at the [[wrap party]] for ''American Idol''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[American Idol (season 4)|fourth season]],<ref name="Finding Fame"/> served as a judge during the finals of "Windy City Gay Idol" (held by the ''[[Windy City Times]]'' at the Circuit Nightclub in Chicago),<ref name="Joins ChicagoPride"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/American-Idols-Jim-Verraros-at-Gay-Idol/8338.html|title=American Idol's Jim Verraros at Gay Idol|work=Windy City Times|date=May 25, 2005|access-date=April 29, 2018}}</ref> attended a pride ceremony held by the [[New York City Council]],<ref name="7 Days">{{cite news|title=7 Days 7 Nights|work=[[Gay City News]]|date=June 23, 2005}}</ref>{{efn|The ceremony was held in honor of [[Laurel Holloman]], [[Mathilde Krim]], [[Christopher Sieber]], Joyce Hunter (a founding member of the [[Hetrick-Martin Institute]] and the [[Harvey Milk School]]), Luis Freddy Molano (who founded the [[Community Healthcare Network]]'s Bronx Health Center Transgender Program), and Miriam Yeung (who served as director of public policy & government relations at the [[Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center|LGBT Community Services Center]]). Verraros attended the ceremony as a guest.<ref name="7 Days"/>}} and also served as a judge at the World of Chocolate, a charity event for the [[AIDS Foundation of Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/229|author=Jason Paul|title=B Scene: At the World of Chocolate|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=December 20, 2005|access-date=May 4, 2018|archive-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505070104/http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/229|url-status=dead}}</ref> He participated in several local events around Chicago during this time<ref name="Joins ChicagoPride"/> and performed in multiple [[pride events]],<ref name="Punk Globe"/><ref name="Finding Fame"/> including the [[LA Pride]]<ref name="Punk Globe"/><ref name="Joins ChicagoPride"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baywindows.com/filth-62141|author=Billy Masters|title=Filth|work=Bay Windows|date=June 23, 2005|access-date=May 13, 2018}}</ref> and [[Chicago Pride Parade|Chicago Pride]] parades.<ref name="Joins ChicagoPride"/> He also performed, along with ''American Idol'' [[American Idol (season 2)|second season]] third place finalist [[Kimberley Locke]], at the Kansas City Gay Pride Festival in June and at the New York City Gay Life Expo in November.<ref name="FOFA"/><ref name="Finding Fame"/><ref name="Metzke"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pitch.com/news/article/20607154/cake-for-a-cause|author1=Sarah Smarsh|author2=Rebecca Braverman|author3=Andrew Miller|title=Cake for a Cause|work=[[The Pitch (newspaper)|The Pitch]]|date=June 2, 2005|access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref> A club tour was considered to promote ''Rollercoaster''.<ref name="Punk Globe"/>

===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"/>

===2007–present: Return to ''American Idol''-related projects, marriage, and ''Do Not Disturb''===
The 2007 book ''[[List of Chicken Soup for the Soul books#A-B|Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul]]'' by [[Jack Canfield]], [[Mark Victor Hansen]], and Deborah Poneman, features a chapter about Verraros, which Poneman called her favorite story in the book. During a press interview, Poneman said, "I thought it was so amazing that a kid got to number eight or nine on 'American Idol' with parents who are deaf...His story makes me cry, when he realized that even though the whole country was cheering for him because they loved his voice, the two people that he loved the most would never be able to hear him sing."<ref>{{cite web |author=Myrna Petlicki |date=January 17, 2008 |title='Idol' worship |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11E58C504D38DF58.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503042200/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11E58C504D38DF58.html |archive-date=May 3, 2018 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |work=[[Pioneer Press#Pioneer Press Community Newspapers|Glenview Announcements]]}}</ref> Verraros appeared at multiple [[book signing]]s in Illinois during January 2008 with Poseman and ''American Idol'' [[American Idol (season 6)|sixth season]] finalist [[Gina Glocksen]].<ref>{{cite web |date=January 13, 2008 |title=Lit Listings |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11E28D1C61E644B8.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111347/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-11E28D1C61E644B8.html |archive-date=May 3, 2018 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref>
{{quote box|width=22%|If 'You Make it Better', a single released in 2007, says anything it says Verraros is a talented singer that can do more than just make club music for the crowd he keeps on catering to. Maybe it's time to pull the shirt back down and expand his horizon with credible and relatable lyrics and music.|source= —Samuel Lora, writing for the ''Washington Examiner'' in August 2009, after the release of "Touch (Don't U Want 2)" and "Electric Love" as singles.<ref name="Examiner"/>}}

Throughout the first half of 2008, Verraros recapped the [[American Idol (season 7)|seventh season]] of ''American Idol'' for ChicagoPride.com<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/446|author=Jim Verraros|title=Idol Chatter – American Idol: Season Seven; Miami|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=January 30, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504090245/http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/446|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/458/printerfriendly/true|author=Jim Verraros|title=Idol Chatter – Top Boys|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=February 26, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504090815/http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/458/printerfriendly/true|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/464|author=Jim Verraros|title=Idol Chatter – American Idol: Season Seven; Final 12|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=March 12, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112053/http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/464|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/501|author=Jim Verraros|title=Idol Chatter – American Idol: Season Seven; Neil Diamond Week|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=May 5, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504090419/http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/501|url-status=dead}}</ref> and co-hosted video recaps of that season with Penny Frulla for [[AfterElton.com]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/new-video-blog-idol-chat-with-jim-verraros-penny-frulla/3/2008/|title=New video blog! Idol Chat with Jim Verraros & Penny Frulla|work=[[NewNowNext]]|date=March 3, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> He was also featured on [[Usmagazine.com]] as a guest recapper for that season's Top 12 episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usmagazine.com:80/node/16062|author=Jim Verraros|title=Idol Recap: Top 12 Get a Taste of Beatlemania!|work=[[Us Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320003846/http://usmagazine.com:80/node/16062|archive-date=March 20, 2008}}</ref> In January 2008, the ''[[Media in Chicago#Community|Chicago Free Press]]'' named Verraros "Best LGBT Musician of 2007" in its "Pressie Awards". In a subsequent [[Myspace]] post expressing his gratitude for the award, Verraros announced that his second album, which still had not been released, would be called ''Do Not Disturb'' (AfterElton.com had previously reported that the album would be called ''Chapter Two'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popdirt.com/jim-verraros-thanks-fans-second-album-coming/66548/|title=Jim Verraros Thanks Fans, Second Album Coming|work=Popdirt.com|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/the-first-gay-american-idolist-turns-24/2/2007/|title=The First Gay American Idolist Turns 24|work=NewNowNext|date=February 7, 2007|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> Verraros accepted the Pressie award in March,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/54430|title=An Evening with Jim Verraros at Minibar|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=March 21, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504090541/http://chicago.gopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/54430|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Idol Chat Top 12">{{cite AV media|url=http://www.veoh.com/watch/v643971537WfxHsJ|people=Penny Frulla, Jim Verraros|date=March 2008|title=Idol Chat with Jim & Penny: The Top 12|medium=video|access-date=May 3, 2018|publisher=[[AfterElton.com]]|time=00:52–01:00; 10:46–11:00}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpyUZOR2yUI&list=PLECF42E34C79499B7&index=0|people=Penny Frulla, Jim Verraros|date=March 22, 2008|title=Idol Chat with Jim & Penny, Week Five|medium=video|access-date=May 3, 2018|publisher=AfterElton.com|time=00:44–00:59}}</ref> around which time he said that ''Do Not Disturb'' would be "coming out in the next couple of months."<ref name="Idol Chat Top 12"/>

Verraros cameoed as a priest in ''[[Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!]]'', which was released in the Summer of 2008.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dennis Harvey |date=August 13, 2008 |title=Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-184745454.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926124451/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-184745454.html |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |access-date=May 5, 2018 |work=[[Daily Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattle.gopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/130401|author=Andrew Davis|title=Jimmy Clabots|work=seattle.gopride.com|access-date=May 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|date=June 28, 2008|title=Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!''—Credits''|publisher=[[TLA Releasing]]}}</ref> That same year, the [[electronica]] album ''Ear Therapy'' was released by DJ Russ Harris, which features Verraros on the track "Another Lifetime",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5TdDJhqYNcDDuIqzrQCORs|title=Ear Therapy|work=[[Spotify]]|date=January 2008 |access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ear-therapy-mw0000781216|title=DJ Russ Harris – Ear Therapy – Overview|work=AllMusic|access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reverbnation.com/djrussharris/song/388473-another-lifetime-ft-jim-verraros|title=Another Lifetime (ft. Jim Verraros) by DJ Russ Harris <nowiki>|</nowiki> ReverbNation|work=[[ReverbNation]]|access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref> and the following year, Verraros released three new singles on [[iTunes]] – "Touch (Don't U Want 2)" on January 20;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/touch-dont-u-want-2/318096668|title=Touch (Don't U Want 2) by Jim Verraros on iTunes|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]|date=January 20, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref>{{efn|A snippet of "Touch (Don't U Want 2)" had previously been previewed on ''Idol Chat'', the video recap series that Verraros did for AfterElton.com with Penny Frulla in 2008. Verraros had also released the song through his MySpace page around that time.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=http://www.veoh.com/watch/v6382800eEmAt8tz|people=Penny Frulla, Jim Verraros|date=March 2008|title=Idol Chat with Jim & Penny: The Top 16|publisher=AfterElton.com|time=10:58–11:12}}</ref>}} "Electric Love" on May 26;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/electric-love/318097452|title=Electric Love by Jim Verraros on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> and "Do Not Disturb" on November 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/do-not-disturb/348536282|title=Do Not Disturb by Jim Verraros on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|date=November 9, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> All three songs were written and produced by Gabe Lopez, whose official website announced that the accompanying album's release date had been pushed back to late 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gabelopez.com/2010/|title=Gabe Lopez – Home|work=gabelopez.com|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509020442/http://www.gabelopez.com/2010/|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{efn|An August 2009 article by the ''Windy City Times'' had previously reported that the album ''Do Not Disturb'' would be released that summer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/images/publications/wct/2009-08-12/current.pdf|title=Verraros to Release 2nd CD|work=Windy City Times|date=August 12, 2009|access-date=May 8, 2018|page=17}}</ref> Shortly before his wedding in September 2009, Verraros said that the album would "definitely be released by the end of the year".<ref name="San Francisco">{{cite news|author=Eric Ross|title=Legal or not – American Idol contestant gets ready to marry his same-sex partner|work=[[San Francisco Examiner]]|date=September 3, 2009}}</ref>}} Samuel Lora of the ''[[Washington Examiner]]'' gave "Touch (Don't U Want 2)" a negative review, calling it "simple and vapid".<ref name="Examiner"/> He also wrote that the song "is overdone with heavy beats and crowding vocals".<ref name="Examiner"/> "Electric Love" fared somewhat better with Lora, who called it "pretty decent" but also felt that it was mimicking the sound of other, more successful artists. Lora likened the song to a "less powerful" version of "Larger Than Life" by the [[Backstreet Boys]] or something by "[[Nick Carter]] if he were making Justin Timberlake music".<ref name="Examiner"/> Lora had kinder words for "You Make It Better", which had been released as a single two years earlier.<ref name="Examiner"/>

In November 2009, Verraros served as a judge for Rialto Idol, a singing competition held by the [[Rialto Square Theatre]] for the [[ComEd]] Festival of Trees.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 11, 2009 |title=Ex 'Idol' Coming to Rialto |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12B9FFB923BFDB00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115154/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12B9FFB923BFDB00.html |archive-date=May 10, 2018 |access-date=May 9, 2018 |work=The Herald News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 24, 2010 |title=The ComEd Festival of Trees transformed the magnificent Rialto Square ... |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12DCA018A3CD19A0.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115058/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12DCA018A3CD19A0.html |archive-date=May 10, 2018 |access-date=May 9, 2018 |work=The Herald News}}</ref> ''Entertainment Weekly'' reported in March 2010 that Verraros was looking for "an indie label to release [''Do Not Disturb'']."<ref name="Catching Up"/> Several years earlier, in 2006, Verraros had mentioned the possibility of his second album being released through [[Sony BMG]]'s then-newly formed gay-focused label, "Music With a Twist".<ref name="Speak Free 2"/> Ultimately, ''Do Not Disturb'' was released on October 18, 2011, through Red Queen Music – Sound Axis. Ten tracks are included on the album,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/bn/album/do-not-disturb/473829938|title=Do Not Disturb by Jim Verraros on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2018}}</ref> out of dozens that were written and recorded throughout the development process.<ref name="Pulse"/> Verraros told ''Entertainment Weekly'' in 2010 that ''Do Not Disturb'' would likely be his final album, saying "I think I'd like to just pull away [from singing] and focus [more on acting]."<ref name="Catching Up"/>

====Marriage====
{{quote box|width=33%|People say, 'Why are you even doing it if it's not even legal?'  We don't have to wait for the government to tell us it's okay, we're doing it anyway. It's more about our family and friends and people we care about witnessing something that is true and beautiful.|source= —Verraros on his marriage to Bill Brennan.<ref name="Greg"/>}}

On September 6, 2009, Verraros married Bill Brennan in their shared home state of Illinois.<ref name="Dream Wedding"/><ref name="Greg">{{cite web|url=http://greginhollywood.com/american-idol-alum-jim-verraros-is-getting-married-on-saturday-in-a-splashy-chicago-wedding-11497|author=Greg Hernandez|title=American Idol alum Jim Verraros is getting married on Sunday in a splashy Chicago wedding|work=Greg in Hollywood|date=September 4, 2009|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Ties Knot">{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/143173/idol-alum-jim-verraros-ties-knot-with-boyfriend|author=Gina Serpe|title=Idol Alum Jim Verraros Ties Knot With Boyfriend|publisher=E!|date=September 9, 2009|access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name="My Wedding">{{cite web|url=http://www.mywedding.com/billandjim/stories.html|author1=Bill Brennan|author2=Jim Verraros|title=Jim Verraros & Bill Brennan – Our Story|work=[[Meredith Corporation|mywedding.com]]|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 4, 2009 |title='Idol' finalist to wed partner in Oak Brook |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12AA4A1C4BE87E10.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509075514/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-12AA4A1C4BE87E10.html |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |access-date=March 8, 2018 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref name="and boyfriend">{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/8235316|author=Brett Anthony|title=Jim Verraros and boyfriend wed on Sunday|work=ChicagoPride.com|date=September 7, 2009|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509075806/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/8235316|url-status=dead}}</ref> The couple first met through MySpace in 2005, at which point they decided to meet in person, after realizing that they only lived about twenty minutes away from each other.<ref name="Dream Wedding"/><ref name="Greg"/><ref name="My Wedding"/><ref name="and boyfriend"/> A few months later, they moved in together. Brennan proposed to Verraros two-and-a-half years after they began dating.<ref name="Greg"/> Although Illinois did not legally recognize gay marriage in 2009, Verraros said that he and Brennan "wanted the day to be a reflection of [their] love and commitment to each other as well as a statement to other gay couples in Illinois".<ref name="Dream Wedding"/><ref name="and boyfriend"/> Each of the [[groom]]'s fathers served as their [[Best man|best men]] in the wedding.<ref name="Dream Wedding"/><ref name="Greg"/><ref name="Ties Knot"/><ref name="and boyfriend"/> The song "You Make It Better" from the film ''Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds'' was written by Verraros about Brennan and was included in the music set list for their wedding.<ref name="San Francisco"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mywedding.com/billandjim/music.html|title=Jim Verraros & Bill Brennan – Music|work=mywedding.com|access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref> The marriage was later legalized in [[Iowa]].<ref name="San Francisco"/>

Brennan is the president of Bridal Expo Chicago and Bridal Expo Milwaukee.<ref name="Greg"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mywedding.com/billandjim/blog_post_37371.html|author=Bill Brennan|title=Jim Verraros & Bill Brennan – So Many Details-Oh My|work=mywedding.com|date=August 8, 2009|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://solutionsbridal.com/from-the-bridal-connoisseur-himself/|author=Ken|title=From the Bridal Connoisseur himself!|work=solutionsbridal.com|date=September 12, 2015|access-date=May 8, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080408/https://www.solutionsbridal.com/from-the-bridal-connoisseur-himself/|archivedate=May 9, 2018}}</ref> In 2006, Verraros signed an [[endorsement deal]] to serve as spokesman for the business;<ref name="Impact"/><ref name="Official Website News"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/02/14/brides-gone-wild/|author=Emily Nunn|title=Brides gone wild!|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 14, 2006|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> he eventually became executive vice president.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://durpettievents.com/2011/08/6thingsjimverrari/|author=Jim Verraros|title=6 Things You Don't Know About: Jim Verraros|work=Michelle Durpetti Events|date=August 29, 2011|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Planit">{{cite web|url=http://www.planitnorthwest.com/2014/01/08/local-american-idol-contestants-move-on-after-show-appearances/a5jb3am/?photo=3|author=Jami Kunzer|title=Local 'American Idol' Contestants Move On After Show Appearances|work=[[Northwest Herald|planitnorthwest.com]]|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> Kelly Clarkson and Verraros maintained a friendship after competing on ''American Idol'' together, and Verraros helped design the [[headpiece]] that Clarkson wore for her 2013 wedding.<ref name="Planit"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2013/10/22/another-american-idol-alum-helped-design-kelly-clarksons-wed.html|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Another 'American Idol' Alum Helped Design Kelly Clarkson's Wedding Headpiece|work=[[ABC News Radio]]|date=October 22, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brides.com/story/kelly-clarkson-wedding-photos-temperly-wedding-dress|author=Caitlin Van Horn|title=Kelly Clarkson Weds Brandon Blackstock in a Gorgeous Temperley London Dress|work=[[Brides (magazine)|Brides]]|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://people.com/style/kelly-clarksons-wedding-dress-all-the-details/|author=Alex Apatoff|title=Kelly Clarkson's Wedding Dress: All the Details!|work=People|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>

By 2019, Verraros and Brennan had separated. Verraros is currently engaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JimVerraros/status/1129986111898640384|author=Jim Verraros|title=@JimVerraros|date=May 18, 2019|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=July 2024}} On November 20, 2021, Verraros married Sean Michael Buck.<ref>{{cite web | title='American Idol's' first gay finalist is now a total hunk, married, and living his best life | website=Queerty | date=January 3, 2023 | url=https://www.queerty.com/american-idols-first-gay-finalist-now-total-hunk-married-living-best-life-20230103 | ref={{sfnref | Queerty | 2023}} | access-date=July 15, 2024}}</ref>

==Filmography==
* ''[[American Idol]]'' [[American Idol (season 1)|Season 1]] (2002) – Himself
* ''[[Eating Out]]'' (2004) – Kyle
* ''[[Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds]]'' (2006) – Kyle
* ''[[Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!]]'' (2008) – Priest

==Discography==
===Demo albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
|-
| 2003
| ''Unsaid and Understood''
|}

===Albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Rollercoaster (Jim Verraros album)|Rollercoaster]]''
|-
| 2011
| ''Do Not Disturb''
|}

===Compilation appearances===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details
|-
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Top 200|US]]
|-
| 2002
| ''[[American Idol: Greatest Moments]]''
| 4
| align="left"|''Credited on the following tracks'':
* "[[Easy (Commodores song)|Easy]]" (Solo performance)
* "[[California Dreamin']]" (Group performance)
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Song
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" scope="col" | Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Dance Club Songs|US<br />Dance<br />Club]]<br><ref name="Billboard Chart" />
!UK
Dance
Club
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| "You Turn It On"
| 21
|
| rowspan="2" | ''Rollercoaster''
|-
| "You're Getting Crazy (Estas Enloqueciendo)"
|  —
|
|-
| 2007
| "You Make It Better"
|  —
|
| Non-album single
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2009
| "Touch (Don't U Want 2)"
|  —
|
| rowspan="3" | ''Do Not Disturb''
|-
| "Electric Love"
|  —
|
|-
| "Do Not Disturb"
|  —
|
|-
|2023
|"Take My Bow"{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
|—
|15{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
|Non-album single
|}

===As featured artist===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Track
! Album
|-
| 2008
| "Another Lifetime"<br><small>(DJ Russ Harris featuring Jim Verraros)</small>
| ''Ear Therapy''
|}

==Footnotes==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|1229213}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190224180322/http://www.jimverraros.com/News/index.html Official Website (Archived: 2019)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040404010633/http://www.jimverraros.com:80/index.html Official Website (Archived: 2004)]

{{American Idol 1}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Verraros, Jim}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
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[[Category:American gay musicians]]
[[Category:American gay writers]]
[[Category:American Idol participants]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ singers]]
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