Jason Mraz Talks Emotional Journey and Coming to Terms with Bisexual Identity on Dancing with the Stars

In recent weeks, out singer-songwriter Jason Mraz and his dance partner Daniella Karagach have been in the spotlight after making a splash on the hit show Dancing with the Stars.Not only has Mraz, 46, showcased his talent on the dancefloor, but this year he was honored on the Out100 list, an annual recognition for the an annual recognition of the most influential people in the LGBTQ+ community.

A Grammy Award-winning artist, Maraz recently sat down with GLAAD for an in-depth conversation to share his journey to accept his bisexual identity. Marazzi admits that before he was able to self-accept, he experienced many challenges and difficulties, including the pain of divorce. "It was very difficult. You carry a lot of stigma and guilt." Maraz said.

Maraz came out publicly in 2018 when he had been married to Christina Carano for years. He revealed that it was Carano who helped him begin to come to terms with who he really is. Unfortunately, the two announced their divorce this summer, a decision that prompted Maraz to delve deeper into himself.

"You want to heal as many past relationships as possible, and at the same time, get into this new acceptance and this new identity or whatever I'm claiming, and that's hard too." Marazzi says it's a huge recognition and joy for him to be on the Out 100 list. "It's as hot as the Billboard 100!" He joked.

Maraz also mentioned that being on Dancing with the Stars was an emotional journey for him, something he didn't anticipate beforehand. "You're looking in the mirror all day, and that's hard for anyone to accept that they're looking in the mirror." He shares that through dance, he learned to accept himself, a process that ultimately made him feel more confident.

Musically, Maraz has also engaged in a profound self-discovery. He admits that for the first 20 years of his career, he wrote almost exclusively as a heterosexual. "Growing up with homophobia, I felt like I needed to protect some secrets." But over time, his curiosity and experiences began to influence his music-making, pushing him to become a more honest, loving, and accepting person.

Mraz's latest album, Mystic Magic Rhythms Radical Ride, out now, is another milestone in his musical journey. From the dance floor to music, from personal exploration to coming out publicly, Jason Mraz's story has inspired many to be brave enough to be themselves and find true happiness in every step of their lives.