Jason Mraz recently opened up about the challenges he faced growing up as a queer kid and the reasons behind his decision to come out later in life. During an appearance on the Dinner’s on Me podcast with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the 48-year-old singer shared candid insights into his personal journey and the societal pressures that influenced his choices.

Reflecting on his youth in the 1990s, Jason Mraz explained why he felt compelled to keep his sexuality private. “In the ’90s, being gay was like [the] punchline of a joke, and I didn’t want to be the punchline of a joke,” Mraz said. As a teenager, he decided to keep a low profile and focus on ways to eventually explore the world beyond his conservative upbringing.

During the podcast, Mraz, known for his hit song “I’m Yours” and his recent stint on Dancing with the Stars, detailed his experiences growing up on a “very conservative street” in Virginia. The singer described himself as a shy student with limited sexual experiences in high school, who later moved to New York City as a “skinny, scrawny, 18-year-old kid” unsure of how to navigate romantic relationships.

“The romance in my songs was just copying other romance in songs,” Mraz admitted. It wasn’t until he moved to California and encountered a more accepting community that he began to understand his own sexuality. Despite this newfound acceptance, Mraz still struggled with fears about how his family and hometown would react.

“I was very shy and scared of what my family would say, or what my hometown would think or just whatever,” he revealed. Nonetheless, Mraz emphasized that his parents have been supportive throughout his journey. “I don’t want to throw anybody under the bus because my parents are very supportive. I love them very much.”

Jason Mraz first publicly discussed his sexuality in a 2018 interview with Billboard, where he revealed he had had experiences with men even while dating his then-wife, Christina Carano. He appreciated his wife’s perspective, who referred to him as “two spirit,” a term used by Native Americans to describe someone who can love both men and women. “I really like that,” Mraz said.

In the recent podcast, Mraz elaborated on the reasons he didn’t come out earlier, citing the stigmatization of being gay in the ’90s. “In the ’90s, being gay was like (the) punchline of a joke, and I didn’t want to be the punchline of the joke,” he reiterated. This fear led him to focus on other goals and avoid drawing attention to his sexuality.

Despite considering himself a “late bloomer,” Mraz has enjoyed his life experiences and remains optimistic about his future. He has been married twice, first to Sheridan Edley from 2001 to 2002, and later to Christina Carano from 2015 to 2023. However, he mentioned that he hasn’t found lasting love yet, despite having been in “amazing relationships.”

Jason Mraz concluded by expressing contentment with his current state of self-love. “I love where I am right now and feel love for myself, which I believe will enhance my next relationship,” he said. His journey to self-acceptance serves as an inspiring story for many who face similar challenges in embracing their true selves amidst societal pressures.

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