THE GAY KID FROM SCHOOL OF ROCK
At age 11, Brian Falduto was Billy “the gay kid from School Of Rock”. Now, he’s a country music/ pop singer and Instagram’s gay life coach. Marc Andrews reports.
At age 11, Brian Falduto found movie fame. Now, he’s a country music/pop singer and Instagram’s gay life coach.
DNA: You’ve been in showbiz since you were a kid. How have you managed to stay normal? Brian Falduto: [Laughs] I don’t love the word normal, but a lot of how I’ve turned out has to do with the people I’ve surrounded myself with. I’ve been crazy-lucky with the people I’ve attracted into my life and they’ve helped shape who I am. I experienced success at an early age, but also rejection early, too, so I grew humble quickly.
Your big break was in the School Of Rock movie. How did that come about?
I was so expressive as a kid my parents felt they had no choice but to put me in show business! They were quite the stage parents for a hot minute there. They got me an agent and School Of Rock was my second professional audition ever. Much like me, though, they quickly realised being a child actor isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Had you acted or done anything in showbiz prior to that?
Yes, I sang all the time in church and performed in musicals. I had been in shows at a couple regional theatres.
Did School Of Rock typecast you as “the gay kid”?
I was typecast, but also quickly became a “bad actor” because I developed a strong misunderstanding of the craft. I was after success and had a desperate desire to do anything that would help me be more than just “the gay kid from School Of Rock”. That mentality put a large dent in my sense of selfworth because I was always trying to be better than I was, rather than knowing I’m good enough. How did the kids at school react to you being in the movie?
They were mean. They made it very clear to me that I stood out because I was different and that was not something to be proud of. If I wanted to be accepted I was meant to blend in.
Have you stayed in touch with the star of School Of Rock, Jack Black?
Jack is an amazing individual. He does keep in contact with several of the actors from the film. I haven’t talked to him in a while but last time I saw him he was as welcoming and enjoyable as always.
You’ve moved into life coaching and also being a singer. Why two careers?
I’m a storyteller who took a long time to even like my own story, never mind share it. I want to help others love theirs and share theirs. It’s so important. Also, songwriting isn’t consistently lucrative [laughs].
Is one a day job and the other a dream job? No, because my day job was waiting tables
and I was thankfully able to quit that a few months ago.
You’re openly gay and proud. How has that informed your career and life choices? That’s a good question because it made me realise how many of my current career and life choices surround the fact I’m gay and that’s crazy because I’m so happy. I used to think I couldn’t be gay and I’d never be happy.
As a life coach what kind of issues are you mainly dealing with? The only thing in the way of the story we want to share is the story we are telling ourselves. I help my clients love themselves with a love that’s inclusive of all aspects of their story. Once we accept ourselves it’s easier to accept all the clichés – we are enough, we are already perfect, and we are not alone.
What do you get the biggest kick out of doing that job?
I love being able to meet people where they’re at and walk with them as they author their story. For most of my life I felt like I was doing everything alone with no one walking beside me. There were just lots of visitors, spectators and criticizers, but it’s 2019 and we don’t have to do it alone anymore.
Tell us more about your love for singing. When did that start?
In church choir, when I was younger, I was always the loudest and my Sunday School teacher would praise me for it. I loved the attention. I still love attention [laughs] but now I sing with the goal of having people hear my lyrics and the associated opportunity to connect through them.
Who were your musical heroes or idols?
I’m just going to be open and honest here – I had a giant Lizzie McGuire poster [Hilary Duff high school drama from 2000s] above my bed! Musically, I was a big American Idol fan and strong follower of the winners and contestants. I loved Britney Spears. My parents introduced me to Counting Crows, Michelle Branch, Barry Manilow and James Taylor. Don’t ask me how I became a country music singer because I’m not entirely sure looking back.
Has music played a role in your coming out? Not in actually coming out, but it’s played a big role in my confidence since coming out. Music was one of the first ways I communicated my feelings and experiences authentically. Watching the impact of doing so sparked my interest to continue discovering who I am, so I would have more to put out there.
When did you officially come out? I didn’t come out until senior year of college. I was actually dragged out of the closet because of bullying. Someone on my college campus discovered I was hooking up with my boyfriend at the time and decided to post about it online. Luckily, I had a good head on my shoulders and my ex and I were already planning on telling people, but it was a very stupid thing to have done as I could have reacted very differently. I was very frustrated how friends of mine were exhibiting such awful behavior. All is healed though and I’m still close with a lot of the people involved.
Away from your work, are you romantically attached?
To myself, yes [laughs].
What do you look for in a partner? Authenticity, first and foremost. I’m an old soul, so I’m looking for someone who is as tired of the game as I am and just wants to chill out and have a good, sexy time lovin’ on each other. What are your best qualities and features? I’m open and honest. I’m good at socializing, planning, cleaning, writing – I love fitness and travel. I can be funny. I love my body – if I had to pick a favorite feature I’d say my chest… or my butt.
Any bad habits we should know about? Cleaning can also be my bad habit. I’m a bit Monica-from-Friends about things. I also can’t resist a French fry and I’m terrible with names. At the beach – speedos, boardshorts or nude? Any of the above.
What’s the one thing that might surprise people about you?
I don’t eat sea food. It’s a lame one because I have very few secrets and I very much like them as such, sorry.
Once we accept ourselves it’s easier to accept that we are enough, we are already perfect, and we are not alone.
MORE: For more go to brianfalduto.com or find him on Instagram either as @brianfalduto or follow him as @thegaylifecoach for what he calls “your daily dose of love”.