American Idol's Aaron Thomas Changes Identity From Gospel Singer to Bisexual R&B Artist

Aaron Thomas has decided to change his identity from Gospel artist to being a bisexual R&B singer.  Thomas, 27, has appeared on American Idol, Showtime at the Apollo, and BET's Sunday Best.  He is known for his 2012 worship anthem "In His Presence." But despite a successful career as a gospel singer, he never felt entirely at home in Gospel music. Now he has changed his stage name to Terrence Stone. More than just a moniker, Stone told Philadelphia magazine that he wanted to change his sound from gospel to R&B.

The 27-year-old singer-songwriter described his upbringing to the publication as being a sheltered child who was raised in the church. "Grew up singing in the church. All I knew was church," he said. "I love it and I love God. But one thing I could never agree with was the religious aspect."

But the former gospel singer said he felt out of place in the gospel music industry. "As a gospel artist, it was always challenging for me to be me. The expectations of the gospel industry is to present yourself as this perfect person, when I was far from that," Stone admitted. "The gospel industry always made me feel like I wasn't good enough. R&B is another genre of music that I love."

He added, "The more I grew as an artist and as a person, I knew that my gift wasn't only for the church."

Stone said he began to explore homosexuality after a childhood girlfriend broke his heart. "We were dating for about a year, then out of nowhere she called me one day asking me to sing at her wedding. Since then I could never trust another female ever again," he said. "From that point on I wanted to experience what it would be like to be with another male out of my own curiosity."

 

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