Matt Zarley is an American singer-songwriter, musical theatre performer, and LGBTQ+ advocate. He began his professional career on Broadway before gaining recognition in the pop and dance music scenes. Zarley is known for his expressive tenor voice, LGBTQ-centered storytelling, and award-winning musical works such as Change Begins With Me and the short film hopefulROMANTIC. He was the first openly gay man featured in People magazine’s “Top 50 Bachelor” issue, and continues to use his platform to support queer youth and promote positive representation in media.[1]
Zarley was born in Peoria, Illinois, and raised in the Midwest ofNew Jersey, before settling in Southern California at 11 years old. His early interest in dance and musical performance began at the age of 12, leading him to pursue a career in the performing arts. He started working professionally as a teenager and eventually transitioned to Broadway in his early 20s.
Stage and television career
Zarley made his television debut at 17 years old on the TV series, Fame,[2] and his theatrical debut later that same year in the national tour of Cats.[3] At the time, he was the youngest performer ever cast in the musical.[4] He later appeared in the Broadway productions of A Chorus Line, Josephand the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat[5], The Who’s Tommy[6], and Chicago. His stage work includes roles on Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, and regional theatre.[7]
Zarley made his Broadway debut at 19 years old in A Chorus Line, cast in the role of Mark Anthony.[8] Later, Zarley went on to play the role of Mike Costa for both the European tour and Paris premiere of the same show.[9]
In 2015, Zarley wrote, produced, and starred in hopefulROMANTIC, an award-winning musical short film that chronicles the life of a romantic relationship. The nearly dialogue-free narrative is told almost entirely through music, and co-starred Chuck Saculla, Jolie Jenkins, and George Takei. The short film appeared in several film festivals around the globe, including the Cannes Short Film Festival, and won several festival awards.[38][39]
In 2023, he launched 11 o’Clock Number, a 12-episode web series and visual album. The series, created during the COVID-19 pandemic, features Zarley’s reinterpretations of iconic musical theatre songs, which were all originally sung by women.[40] The narrative-driven series was inspired by his mother’s death years prior–featuring appearances from Billy Porter, Jason Graae, Kathy Deitch, Marty Thomas, Jolie Jenkins, and Barbara Deutsch.[35][34] Zarley described the project as a “cathartic quarantine project” that turned into a full-scale production highlighting "personal and collective resilience".[41][42]
Recognition and awards
Zarley has received multiple awards and recognitions for his music and films:
2002 – "You Always Want (who u ain’t got)” named the #5 Top Club Play, under Billboard's Hot Dance Breakouts.[43]
2008 – Zarley's single, “Had I Known”, made the Billboard Critics' Top 10 of the Year.
2008 – The single “Here I Am” was chosen by the producers of American Idol as a Top 10 finalist in the second ever American Idol Songwriter Contest.
April 2012 – Zarley was the first openly gay man featured in People magazine’s annual "Bachelor" issue in 2012;[45] speaking frequently about the need for increased LGBTQ representation and visibility in media.
December 2012– "Change Begins With Me" received the OutMusic Awards Album and Single of the Year.[47]
December 2012 – Zarley was named in Billboard Readers’ Favorites Of 2012, #7–"Trust Me (Moto Blonco Radio Edit)" and #39–"W T F”.[48]
2014 – "Somebody 4 Everybody" named Best Electronic or Dance Song in the RightOutTV Music And Video Awards.[49]
Charity and advocacy
Zarley has been a committed advocate for LGBTQ+ youth support, anti-bullying and broader social causes through community-centered fundraising, performance and collaboration:
Date
Event
Ref.
2002 (Oct)
Zarley took part with fellow LGBTQ+ artists in creating to the benefit compilation “Being Out Rocks.” Contributing “Say Goodbye” to the 21-track album, produced by and benefiting the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and Centaur Entertainment.
Zarley released a cover of Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” as a charity single to benefit The Trevor Project, with all proceeds directed to the organization’s LGBTQ youth support and crisis intervention services.
Paint the Town for Trevor (Washington, D.C.): Zarley performed at the third annual Pride fundraiser in Washington, D.C., hosted at Town, raising funds for The Trevor Project.
Broadway Bares Beach Burlesque (Fire Island, NY): Zarley headlined at Fire Island with his single “We Belong” as part of fundraising performances tied to Broadway Bares, whose proceeds typically support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and allied LGBTQ+ causes.
Broadway Bares Winter Burlesque (NYC, NY): As part of the 24th season of the Broadway Bares series, Zarley performed his song “Somebody 4 Everybody” at XL Nightclub, benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
S.T.A.G.E. Benefit Concert at Saban Theatre (Beverly Hills, CA): Zarley appeared alongside other stars at a fundraising concert to support the Anaheim Performing Arts Center.
Desert’s Got Talent Charity Event (Palm Springs, CA): Performed at this special show benefiting Boo2Bullying.org, an anti-bullying organization.
Hooray For Anaheim Gala 2017 (Anaheim, CA): Benefit concert where Zarley performed alongside other stars, funds raised went towards the Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation.
LA LA LAND In Concert Premiere (Hollywood Bowl): Zarley took part in the world-premiere concert event of LA LA LAND at the iconic Hollywood Bowl—a high-profile community and arts event.
Zarley and Jeb Havens record the holiday single "I'm Your Angel," with all proceeds benefiting the Backpacks For The Street; an organization which offers aid and support for homeless LGBT youth.
Stars in the House - Labor Day Special: Zarley joined fellow Cats alumni JoAnn Hunter and Randy Slovacek on ‘‘Stars in the House’’, a live-streamed fundraising series supporting The Actors Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zarley Family Foundation – As vice president of the family-founded private foundation, Zarley has helped direct charitable grants to numerous organizations, including The Trevor Project, Starkey Hearing Foundation, Casa Pacifica, Boys Town, Boys & Girls Club, and Broadway Cares.[64]
Personal life
Zarley is openly gay and lives in Los Angeles. His creative projects often reflect his personal experiences, particularly themes of heartbreak, authenticity, and personal growth. He has stated that living openly and truthfully is essential to his artistry.[65]
He has also expressed a desire to write a Broadway musical and develop a television series centered on LGBTQ narratives.[66]
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