TL;DR
- Joey Graceffa reveals his traumatic experience on The Amazing Race.
- Producers pressured him to come out during filming.
- He came out later in a viral YouTube video.
- Graceffa’s new book features witches and zodiac signs.
- He inspires young fans to live authentically.
Reality TV can be a wild ride, and no one knows this better than the fabulous Joey Graceffa. The YouTube sensation and bestselling author recently opened up about his time on CBS’s The Amazing Race, and honey, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. Buckle up because this is one juicy story!
Joey, who competed on two seasons alongside fellow influencer Meghan Camarena, spilled the tea on the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the competition. Coming in fifth place in season 22 back in 2013, Graceffa faced not only the grueling challenges of the race but also intense pressure from producers. “The Amazing Race was a lot of fun, but it was truly traumatizing,” he confessed. “It’s crazy. They wanted me to come out on the show!”
Yes, you heard that right! A gay producer even suggested he should come out while racing around the globe. But Graceffa was not having it. “I was like, ‘I’ll come out if you write me that $1 million check at the finish line!'” he joked. “That didn’t happen. I would not have been ready back then.” Talk about a high-stakes ultimatum!
Fast forward to today, and Joey has since embraced his identity, coming out in a viral YouTube music video that has racked up over 40 million views. He credits his supportive fanbase for giving him the courage to live authentically. “I was the weirdo nerd kid in high school. That mentality still lives inside me. I feel like such a loser sometimes,” he shared, adding that having a YouTube audience helped him feel special.
https://www.youtu.be/Kcwo_mhyqTw?si=9lLz8ewy7fle-8Pq
But wait, there’s more! Graceffa isn’t just a reality TV star; he’s also a talented author. His latest literary endeavor, The Twelve, dives into the world of witches and zodiac signs. “It’s about witches having powers off of their specific zodiac signs. My story follows twin sisters who are recruited to join a coven where they’re trying to collect all 12 girls of the zodiac to fight off dark witches. American Horror Story: Coven was a big inspiration!” he gushed. Sounds like a must-read for fans of fantasy!
With a slew of successful projects under his belt, Joey has become a beacon of hope for many young fans navigating their own journeys. “The kids come up to me in the line of the meet-and-greet and whisper in my ear that they’re gay. I was the first one that they feel comfortable enough to tell that to. It’s so heartwarming to see them, see their journey, and see them all grown up. They are my children, literally,” he said, proving that his influence goes far beyond the screen.
So there you have it, folks! Joey Graceffa’s experience on The Amazing Race was anything but ordinary. From the pressure to come out to his flourishing career as an author, he’s living proof that embracing your true self can lead to incredible things. For the full interview with Joey, check out the video above. And remember, always live your truth!