Jake Shears
Meet Jake Shears — the charismatic co-lead vocalist who ignited the global stage with Scissor Sisters, redefining pop-rock with a flamboyant, disco-infused sensibility. From electrifying concert halls to the dazzling lights of Broadway, his career has been a vibrant tapestry of performance and artistic exploration. But beyond the glitter and the anthems, what truly drives this multifaceted artist's journey? Jake Shears, as part of Scissor Sisters, became an iconic figure in 2000s pop culture, known for his provocative performances and chart-topping hits. His career spans music, acting, and writing, demonstrating a versatile talent that thrives across diverse creative mediums. Shears's candid embrace of his identity has been a powerful force, shaping his art and contributing to broader LGBTQ+ visibility.
AI Summary
Meet Jake Shears — the charismatic co-lead vocalist who ignited the global stage with Scissor Sisters, redefining pop-rock with a flamboyant, disco-infused sensibility. From electrifying concert halls to the dazzling lights of Broadway, his career has been a vibrant tapestry of performance and artistic exploration. But beyond the glitter and the anthems, what truly drives this multifaceted artist's journey?
- Jake Shears, as part of Scissor Sisters, became an iconic figure in 2000s pop culture, known for his provocative performances and chart-topping hits.
- His career spans music, acting, and writing, demonstrating a versatile talent that thrives across diverse creative mediums.
- Shears's candid embrace of his identity has been a powerful force, shaping his art and contributing to broader LGBTQ+ visibility.
The Man Behind the Music
Born Jason Sellards in Mesa, Arizona, the world would come to know him as Jake Shears — the dynamic singer, songwriter, and actor. He rose to international fame as the flamboyant co-lead vocalist of the New York City pop-rock sensation, Scissor Sisters, a band that left an indelible mark on the music scene of the 2000s.
An Island Childhood
Shears spent his formative years on San Juan Island, Washington, a rather idyllic setting that nonetheless presented its challenges. He openly recounts being bullied during his school days. It was amidst this backdrop that he found early musical inspiration, famously citing Siouxsie and the Banshees as his first 'real concert' experience.
At 18, he moved to Seattle to complete high school, eventually attending Occidental College in Los Angeles. But a pivotal moment came at 19, when a visit to a classmate in Lexington, Kentucky, led to a serendipitous meeting with Scott Hoffman, who would later be known as Babydaddy. They instantly clicked, recognizing a shared creative spark that would soon reshape their lives.
From Go-Go Dancer to Pop Star
A year after their meeting, Shears and Hoffman packed their bags for New York. Shears enrolled at Eugene Lang College, focusing on fiction writing, and even contributed pieces to HX, a prominent gay magazine. During these early days, he honed his performance skills and earned extra money as a go-go dancer and erotic dancer in male strip clubs — experiences that would infuse his later stage persona with an undeniable edge.
The Birth of Scissor Sisters
In 2001, Shears and Hoffman officially formed Scissor Sisters. Initially conceived as a performance art project, their outrageous shows quickly became legendary in New York's electroclash scene, particularly in Brooklyn's vibrant Williamsburg clubs like Luxx. They were a jolt of glitter, disco, and unadulterated queer joy.
After a few years of relentless effort in New York, the band's fortunes dramatically shifted across the Atlantic. The United Kingdom and Ireland embraced their unique sound wholeheartedly. By the end of 2004, their debut album became the biggest-selling album of the year in the UK, solidifying their status as international pop icons.
A Kaleidoscope of Influences
Shears's musical palette is as broad and vibrant as his stage costumes, drawing inspiration from an eclectic mix of legends. His influences span the disco-pop glamour of The Bee Gees and ABBA, the rock theatricality of David Bowie and Queen, and the enduring pop artistry of Madonna and Cher.
These artists, among others, contributed to the distinctive Scissor Sisters sound — a blend of glam rock, disco, and synth-pop that was both retro and thrillingly modern.
The Bee Gees Leo Sayer ABBA Blondie David Bowie Duran Duran Roxy Music The New York Dolls Queen Cher Cyndi Lauper Madonna Paul McCartney Pet Shop Boys The Beatles Dolly Parton
Beyond the Sisters: Collaborations
Even while at the height of Scissor Sisters' fame, Shears lent his talents to numerous other projects. He collaborated with synth-pop giants Erasure's Andy Bell and worked with electronic artists like Tiga and Luomo. His songwriting prowess also shone through, co-writing hits such as Kylie Minogue's 'I Believe in You' and 'Too Much'.
His diverse collaborations continued, from contributing to a musical version of 'Tales of the City' to providing backing vocals for Queens of the Stone Age. A particularly memorable duet was with the legendary Cher on her 2013 album 'Closer to the Truth', showcasing his vocal versatility.
A New Solo Chapter
In October 2017, Shears launched his solo career with the single 'Creep City', signaling a fresh artistic direction. This was swiftly followed by a significant theatrical debut in January 2018, when he starred as Charlie in the Broadway hit 'Kinky Boots'.
His debut solo studio album, also titled 'Jake Shears', arrived in August 2018 to positive reviews, peaking at No. 20 on the UK Charts. The following year, he toured with pop icon Kylie Minogue on her 'Golden Tour', reinforcing his connections within the music world.
Shears continued to explore different avenues, appearing as the 'Unicorn' on the British edition of 'The Masked Singer' in 2020, charming audiences with his hidden identity and vocal talent. He also released new singles, further cementing his solo artistic identity.
His second solo album, 'Last Man Dancing', dropped on June 2, 2023, featuring exciting collaborations with Kylie Minogue and Amber Martin, and even cameos from cinematic legend Jane Fonda and punk icon Iggy Pop. NME lauded the album with a 4/5 star rating, praising its infectious energy and creativity.
From Broadway to the West End
Shears's theatrical journey continued across the pond. In September 2023, he made his West End debut, taking on the iconic role of the Emcee in the critically acclaimed revival of 'Cabaret'. His tenure in the show ran until March 2024, adding another significant accomplishment to his diverse resumé.
Looking ahead, Shears is set to feature on 'In the Garden', a concept album and musical by artist Boyfriend, slated for release in May 2025. He will portray Adam in this reimagining of the Adam and Eve story, joining a star-studded cast including Billy Porter, Big Freedia, and Peaches.
A Life Lived Authentically
Shears's personal life has also been marked by openness and courage. At the age of 15, he bravely came out as gay to his parents, following the advice of columnist Dan Savage. Though his parents' reaction was difficult, Shears later participated in Savage's 'It Gets Better Project' in 2010, sharing his story to inspire hope in other LGBTQ+ youth.
He has spoken passionately about the responsibility of gay celebrities to be open about their identity, believing it fosters acceptance and understanding. Shears was in a long-term relationship with Chris Moukarbel from 2004 to 2015, openly sharing his life with the public.
Recognitions and Milestones
Throughout his career, Jake Shears has received various nominations reflecting his impact on music and popular culture. From being considered the 'Most Fanciable Male' by Virgin Media Music Awards in 2007 to his solo album receiving a 'Best Art Vinyl' nomination, his influence has been widely recognized.
His autobiography, 'Boys Keep Swinging', also earned a nomination for 'Book of the Year' at the Classic Pop Readers' Awards, showcasing his talent as a writer alongside his musical and performative achievements.
Article
Jake Shears
Jason F. Sellards (born October 3, 1978), known professionally by the stage name Jake Shears, is an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist of New York City pop-rock band Scissor Sisters, who achieved considerable chart success in the 2000s before their indefinite hiatus in 2012. Since 2017, Shears has pursued a solo career; he released his debut solo studio album, Jake Shears, in August 2018 and his second album Last Man Dancing on June 2, 2023. In addition to his solo career, Shears has collaborated with several artists and made his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots in 2018.
Early life
Jake Shears
Shears was born in Mesa, Arizona. His father was an entrepreneur, his mother Frieda (nee Sellards) was a practicing Baptist. He grew up on San Juan Island, Washington, where he attended school at Friday Harbor High School and was bullied. His "first real concert was Siouxsie and the Banshees". At the age of 18, he moved into a dorm at the Northwest School in Seattle, Washington, to finish high school. Shears later attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 19, he travelled to Lexington, Kentucky, to visit a classmate, where he met Scott Hoffman. Shears and Hoffman hit it off immediately and moved to New York a year later.
Career
Early work
Shears attended New York's Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, where he studied fiction writing and was a classmate of Travis Jeppesen. He also wrote pieces for the gay magazine HX. In 2000, he worked as a music reviewer for Paper magazine.
Scissor Sisters
Shears performing with Scissor Sisters in Japan, 2010
Shears and Hoffman formed Scissor Sisters in 2001 as a performance art stunt, playing outrageous shows in clubs like Luxx, the heart of the electroclash scene in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where Shears lived. After a couple of years struggling in New York (working with the record label A Touch of Class, who produced "Comfortably Numb" and "Filthy/Gorgeous"), Scissor Sisters finally found success in the United Kingdom and Ireland, ending 2004 with the biggest-selling album of the year in the UK. In concert, Shears is known for provocative dancing, flamboyant outfits, and near nudity. (During his early years while he was struggling to make it in New York, he would often earn extra money as a go-go dancer and male erotic dancer at male strip clubs.)
Shears' musical influences include The Bee Gees, Leo Sayer, ABBA, Blondie, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Roxy Music, The New York Dolls, Queen, Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, The Beatles, and Dolly Parton. The Scissor Sisters video for Filthy/Gorgeous was directed by John Cameron Mitchell after Shears met him at a gathering of the Radical Faeries. Shears attended Sir Elton John's "stag" party before John's civil partnership ceremony with David Furnish in 2005. John and Shears discussed each other in The Observer in 2006.
Other work
Shears performed with Erasure's Andy Bell on "Thought It Was You", on Bell's 2005 album Electric Blue. He has also collaborated with Tiga on "Hot in Herre", "You Gonna Want Me", and "What You Need" from Tiga's album Ciao!. He also worked on Finnish house musician Luomo's "If I Can't". Together with Babydaddy, he co-wrote with Kylie Minogue on her hit single "I Believe in You" for her greatest hits compilation Ultimate Kylie. Shears and Minogue also co-wrote "Too Much" with Calvin Harris for Minogue's number one album Aphrodite. In 2011, Shears collaborated with John Garden to write the music for a musical version of the book Tales of the City. The show is directed by Jason Moore. Shears was featured on the track "Metemya" of Amadou and Mariam's 2012 album Folila. Shears also wrote the foreword to the award-winning '80s 7-inch vinyl cover art book Put the Needle on the Record. In 2013, he appeared on the Queens of the Stone Age album ...Like Clockwork, providing backing vocals on the song "Keep Your Eyes Peeled". He duetted with Cher on the track "Take it Like a Man" for her 2013 album Closer to the Truth.
Shears performing at The O2 in 2023
In October 2017, Shears released his first song as a solo artist, "Creep City".
In January 2018, Shears made his Broadway debut starring as Charlie in Kinky Boots. He reprised the role at the Hollywood Bowl in July 2022. In February 2018, Shears published his autobiography, Boys Keep Swinging. Shears released his debut solo studio album, Jake Shears, on August 10, 2018, and received positive reviews. It peaked at N° 20 in the UK Charts.
In March 2019, Shears toured with Kylie Minogue as part of her Golden Tour.
In October 2019, Shears appeared as a collaborator on The Desert Sessions Vols. 11 & 12, most prominently as lead singer on Something You Can't See and backing vocals for Crucifire.
In January 2020, he appeared as the "Unicorn" on ITV's The Masked Singer, finishing in 6th place. Shears released the single "Meltdown" in February 2020.
On February 1, 2023, Shears released the single "Too Much Music". On June 2, 2023, Shears released his second studio album, Last Man Dancing, which contains collaborations with Kylie Minogue, Amber Martin and cameos from Jane Fonda and Iggy Pop. NME rated the album 4/5 stars.
In September 2023, he starred as the Emcee in his West End debut in the revival of Cabaret. His final performance was on March 9, 2024.
In March 2025, it was announced that Shears is featured on In the Garden, a concept album and musical by the artist Boyfriend set for release on May 9, 2025. The album reimagines the story of Adam and Eve but through Eve's lens. The project features Boyfriend as Eve alongside Billy Porter (narrator), Shears (Adam), Big Freedia (God), and Peaches (Serpent).
In 2025 he made his screen acting debut in Pillion, directed by Harry Lighton. Shears plays a gay biker, Kevin. Casting director Kahleen Crawford invited Shears for the film after she saw him in the musical Cabaret. Shears—who was not familiar with the gay biker and BDSM world that is portrayed in the film—read The Leatherman's Handbook to prepare for his role.
Personal life
Jake Shears
Shears came out as gay to his parents at the age of 15 at the urging of Dan Savage, who later called his advice "the worst I've ever given" due to the abusive reaction of Shears' parents. In 2010, Shears participated in Savage's It Gets Better Project.
In 2012, Shears was interviewed about his experience. He spoke about his friend Anderson Cooper and said he felt gay celebrities "at least have the responsibility to come out".
Shears was in a relationship with Chris Moukarbel from 2004 to 2015.
Awards and nominations
Jake Shears
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Awards</th><th>Work</th><th>Category</th><th>Result</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2007</td><td>Virgin Media Music Awards</td><td>Himself</td><td>Most Fanciable Male</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Best Art Vinyl</td><td>Jake Shears</td><td>Best Art Vinyl</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Classic Pop Readers' Awards</td><td>Boys Keep Swinging</td><td>Book of the Year</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Berlin Music Video Awards</td><td>"All I Want"</td><td>Best Director</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
Discography
Albums
<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Details</th><th>Peak chart positions</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>UK</td><td>UK Ind.</td></tr><tr><td>Jake Shears</td><td></td><td>20</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Last Man Dancing</td><td></td><td>18</td><td>4</td></tr></tbody></table>
Extended plays
<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>B-Sides</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
Singles
<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>"Creep City"</td><td>2018</td><td>Jake Shears</td></tr><tr><td>"Sad Song Backwards"</td></tr><tr><td>"Big Bushy Mustache"</td></tr><tr><td>"Meltdown"</td><td>2020</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Do the Television"</td><td>2021</td><td>Last Man Dancing</td></tr><tr><td>"Amazing" (Apple Music only)</td><td>2022</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Too Much Music"</td><td>2023</td><td>Last Man Dancing</td></tr><tr><td>"Devil Came Down the Dance Floor" (with Amber Martin)</td></tr><tr><td>"I Used to Be In Love"</td></tr><tr><td>"Last Man Dancing"</td></tr></tbody></table>
As featured artist
<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>"Disappearer" (AVEC featuring Jake Shears)</td><td>2013</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"The Other Boys" (NERVO featuring Kylie Minogue, Jake Shears & Nile Rogers)</td><td>2015</td><td>Collateral</td></tr><tr><td>"Sensation" (Bright Light Bright Light featuring Jake Shears)</td><td>2020</td><td>Fun City</td></tr><tr><td>"All I Want" (Boys Noize featuring Jake Shears)</td><td>2021</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Neon Lights" (Annie featuring Jake Shears)</td><td>Neon Lights</td></tr><tr><td>"Free Your Mind" (Arielle Free featuring Jake Shears)</td><td>2023</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Fire & Ice" (Purple Disco Machine featuring Jake Shears)</td><td>2025</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr></tbody></table>
Guest appearances
<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Other artist(s)</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>"Tools Down"</td><td>2018</td><td>The Presets</td><td>Hi Viz</td></tr><tr><td>"Dirty Pleasures"</td><td>2024</td><td>Purple Disco Machine, Lorenz Rhode</td><td>Paradise</td></tr></tbody></table>
Tours
Jake Shears
• Kylie Minogue – Golden Tour (2019) • Duran Duran – Future Present Tour (2023) • Jamiroquai – Lytham Festival 2023 (June 2023)