Kameron Ross: Country Music Out & Proud

Article written by Alexander Rodriguez, host of On the Rocks with Alexander

Over the last decade, the country music gay’s contingent has made themselves known, even at the risk of losing their career. TJ Osborne, Ty Herndon, Brandi Carlile, Billy Gilman, and Chely Wright’s coming out have paved the way for other artists to express who they are. The controversial performances of Lil Nas X have pushed the envelope even further, the gays in country music are here to stay and they have a lot to be vocal about…literally. Country music hottie Kameron Ross became a national sensation for his appearance on America’s Got Talent, Simon Cowell stopped him mid-song and asked him to sing acapella. Kameron nailed it and automatically advanced to the Quarterfinals.

And despite his recent exposure on the show, being in the biz is nothing new to Kameron. Inspired by seeing Shania Twain in concert at age 8, he got into showbiz early on singing at local country music concerts. In 2006, he released his debut album produced by T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang called When I'm Done Lovin' You. In 2010, he played at A Day In The Country music fest in Houston, opening for The Band Perry, Miranda Lambert, and many other artists. Around that time, he started to become confident in his sexuality and came out – that’s when the bookings stopped, the industry still wasn’t ready. With his newfound fan base from AGT, he’s back in the saddle with the release of his new single, “Real.”

“This song means so much to me y’all! As y’all know I believe it’s very important to stay true to who you are. This song is just that, me! I chose this as my next single because it’s not only talking about my love BUT making sure the lyrics reflect who I am. That being singing the song to another man.”

Sorry, men, he’s taken. His boyfriend, Lio, is a celebrity in his own right as a finalist on Netflix’ SugarRush, a baker who clearly doesn’t eat his own creations - this power couple is fit AF.

We chatted with Kameron after his photoshoot, shot specifically for Andrew Christian:

Photo credit: Marcos Covos

What are the biggest assumptions about Texans that you want to dispel right now?

I would love to say that “we don’t all drive big trucks and listen to country music” but that’s exactly the kind of Texan that I am. Heck, I’ve even got a tattoo of the outline of Texas in barbed wire on my back, LOL. I guess I would like to dispel the assumption that these types of Texans are all conservative. Also, that we don’t all ride horses everywhere. Although I do love a good horse ride.

Are Texans better in bed?

I know the saying is that "everything is bigger in Texas" and while that part is true, I’d love to say that we are definitely better as well.

What was it about seeing Shania Twain perform that inspired you the most to start singing?

You know, that was a long time ago but I still remember seeing her on that stage. The way her presence took up the entire stage and Astrodome was something that I could never forget. There were so many people there and she had every man, woman, and child’s attention for the entire time she was on the stage. It was simply amazing.

What is your creative process when writing a new song?

I think like most people you have to be in that mindset to write. Sometimes I go into a writing session and we spitball ideas around until we start to get into a groove of what kind of song we want to write. I start to think of lyrics and how a melody would go along with the lyrics. Then everything just starts to flow. I play the guitar but I’m not a pro at it so a lot of my songwriting is very creative. There are times where I’m in the middle doing something that I start humming a melody and I have to stop everything I’m doing to go record it so that I don’t forget. The same thing goes for writing lyrics for a song. There have been times where I wake up in the middle of the night with a “hook” (lyrics) that is just too good not to write it down. Sometimes I continue to write the lyrics until I am stumped. Then I might take a break and come back to it later.

Was it hard not to get mad at the country music industry when you stopped getting booked after you came out?

It was hard to not get mad, but also hard to not be sad. There were times I regretted it, went to sleep with tears on my pillow wondering if I had made a mistake in doing it, and giving up my dream. But at the end of the day, I look back now and realize that the world just wasn’t ready for me so that I would have the opportunities I have had in the last year.

Should gay singers be obligated to come out?

I don’t think anyone has an obligation to come out until they are ready. It is a very personal decision and it doesn’t matter how big or small your platform is you should do it when you are ready and not because of any pressure outside of yourself.

How have you changed the most since coming out?

I am so much more comfortable being myself these days. Before coming out I was in a constant state of worry that someone would find out and what was going to happen if it got out.

What singer is your dream duet?

I don’t know! This is a tough one. I would love to work with H.E.R., I think she is an AMAZING artist. I love what she does. Dollie is an icon, seeing her work with artists like Galantis is so cool. I would love to have her on a remix like the one I am releasing later this summer.

But honestly, someone that has been on my radar for a bit now would be Trixie Mattel, I find her to be hilarious and so musically talented. Hearing her duet with Orville Peck was SO good. I loved it and hope to be able to do something like that with either of them one day!

What was your least favorite thing about doing America’s Got Talent?

Keeping everything a secret. There is so much going on and you are reminded every day that you can’t talk about any of it until it airs. I filmed my audition on stage in front of the judges in March of 2020 the day the country shut down and couldn’t speak about it until June of 2020. It was HARD! lol.

I was laid off two weeks into the pandemic along with so many other people in the world. America’s Got Talent was one of the good things happening to me and I couldn’t share it with anyone.

Kiss Marry F*ck: Simon Cowell, Terry Crews, Howie Mandel

Definitely marry Simon! We would make beautiful music together. Lol. Kiss Howie. F*ck Terry, because I mean c’mon, he's Terry.

What kind of DMs do you get the most? Spill the tea!

Haha, I have been proposed to in my DMs before by people who saw me on TV. I get the occasional unsolicited… well you know. But most of what I get is people being supportive of my music and coming out story. I couldn’t be happier with all the love and support I get.

What was your first date with your boo?

This is not very glamorous. Our first date was me asking him about 5 times out to dinner the day after we met out. He had an excuse every time but eventually said if I wanted to hang out he was doing laundry and I could come over to talk while he was doing that. I got to his place around 7 p.m. and sat on the edge of his bed while he did laundry and we talked until midnight. We talked and talked, it was pretty great. I knew then.

What relationship tips do you have for two people in the entertainment industry?

Show your support for one another in every way that you can. Even if you aren’t in the same industry. Lio is a great baker that has been in the spotlight for that. And while I don’t know much about baking I do what I can to help him. He does the same thing for me, makes my promo material, designed my single covers, he really just picks up anything that I need even if he has to learn how to do it in order to help.

Be sure to support each other and also be honest with each other. Something we both didn’t have in past relationships was trust in our partners, when you trust your partner everything else is cake.

Who is your celebrity hall pass?

Ryan Reynolds. *blush*

When we see you live on stage, what kind of underwear are you usually wearing?

Well…I usually like to wear tight-fitting pants on stage so the only acceptable underwear would be a good jock.

What is your ritual after a show?

The feeling after a show is amazing, you come off the stage carrying all of the energy the crowd just gave you and want to just celebrate. So I usually find myself wanting to be around my good group of friends sharing some laughs.

If you were to design a pair of Andrew Christian underwear, what would they look like?

So not many people know this but I am obsessed with dinosaurs. Like really obsessed. Lol. So I would likely want dinosaurs on them.

If not that, something that would represent Texas. Maybe the state of Texas and cacti. That would really match my mood on any day.

Check out everything Kameron and get “Real” today: https://www.kameronross.com/

Follow Kameron on IG: https://www.instagram.com/kameronross/