In the three years since “America’s Got Talent” catapulted him into the limelight, Brian Justin Crum has found creative ways to showcase his authentic self through music.
The Los Angeles-based singer’s latest video track, by contrast, shifts the focus onto his fans. Released Oct. 23 and directed by Brad Hammer, “Bright” features Crum at the center of a fierce dance ensemble. His routine is punctuated by spoken testimonials from diverse individuals, each offering an anecdote about how they found the courage to live their respective truths.
Advertisement
Watch the “Bright” video above.
“It’s about me being a fairy nymph, dancing around, trying to be bright from the inside out,” Crum quipped to HuffPost. “I’ve shared my own experience many times and I wanted this video to be about other people sharing theirs. LGBTQ folks, immigrants, people of color ... everyone shared from their hearts.”
Crum said he hopes “Bright” ― which features another “America’s Got Talent” alum, Brian King Joseph, on the violin ― will encourage others to “rediscover their inner light.” As a gay man, however, he faced his share of obstacles on his own journey toward a truthful life.
But that didn’t stop Crum from delving into personal territory on two earlier singles this year, “Circles” and “I & U,” the latter of which was released during LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
Advertisement
That no-holds-barred approach, he said, extends to the visual component of his work, too. The videos for both “I & U” and “Bright” see Crum performing in gender fluid fashion, which he’s been known to embrace in his offstage life, too.
“I’m finding my style as I move, by being brave and going for it,” he said. “I don’t believe that clothing has gender. If I feel it, I wear it.”
“Bright” is the latest project in a prolific year for Crum, who has been carving out a career as a solo artist since coming in fourth place on the 11th season of “America’s Got Talent” in 2016. He revived interest in his music in January, when he appeared on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” with other winners and notable participants from the competition franchise.
Calling 2019 “incredibly eye-opening,” Crum believes his most profound ― and provocative ― work as an artist lies ahead.
Advertisement
“My life, the way I live my life, is going to make a lot of people uncomfortable,” he said. “I’m fine with that. I’m ready for people to see me.”
“I like where I’ve come from, but I love where I’m going,” he added.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.