Wonderland Burlesque's Down The Rabbit Hole: John Duff

Wonderland Burlesque's

Down The Rabbit Hole:

John Duff

Down The Rabbit Hole merely places a spotlight on something slightly unusual that's caught my interest. With the help of Wikipedia, YouTube, and other sites, I gather information and learn something new.

Today, we take a look at John Duff.

--- --

Sometimes I happen on an artist and, well, quite frankly... I just don't get it. And, keep in mind, my tastes run heavily eclectic and I have a great appreciation for trash culture. Still, some things escape me. 

Such was my initial reaction to John Duff. However, his Wikipedia page sure helped clear up a few things for me. A few...

I must confess, for me, his music, personal presentation, and videos send off shock waves in all sorts of directions. They confuse me - which isn't necessarily a bad thing - it's just that he's a lot to decipher. Is it tasteless? Is it shocking for the sake of shocking? Or is it, in the light of YouTube overkill and the world's ever decreasing sensitivities, merely mundane? Is he merely the product of the wasteland modern musical theatre has become, decades of ridiculously painful reality television, and the lightening rod power of the internet?

I don't find it witty, nor is it clever (and those of you who know me via this blog, know I am a huge fan of both.) So... what is it? 

Be Your Girl - John Duff

Well, here's a bit about the man himself... 

John Duff is an American singer and songwriter who came to prominence on social media and rose to greater prominence following the release of several viral hit singles. 

 Born and raised in Howard County, Maryland, Duff is the youngest of four, with two sisters and a brother. During his childhood, Duff recalls being musically influenced by his older sisters' music choices, including artists such as Mariah Carey. He was also a fan of Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson. 

Duff states that he was bullied as early as age eight for being perceived as gay. The bullying continued through middle school, to the point that he contemplated suicide. Duff recalled not having friends until his junior year of high school. After graduating from high school, he attended Syracuse University, graduating with a BFA in musical theater.

In 2011, Duff auditioned for the first season of the reality television contest X-Factor, but was negatively received by the judges, with judge Simon Cowell allegedly implying Duff was transgender for his feminine mannerisms, while judge Paula Abdul described him as "strange", which Duff interpreted as a commentary on his sexual orientation. Feeling that the judges were commenting on his persona rather than his abilities, he described the experience as "the most degrading and humiliating experience of his life."  Landing a job in a stage musical helped rebuild his confidence afterward, and he continued to work in musical theater in New York for six years. In 2016, he directed the off-Broadway production of Katdashians! Break the Musical!, an unauthorized parody of both Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Cats. The musical extended its initial run, but was later forced to close due to litigation brought by Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

High Heels - John Duff feat. Lillias White

Duff, with the encouragement of Paris Hilton, eventually moved to West Hollywood to pursue his music career, before moving to Los Angeles in 2017. Before releasing his first single, Duff cultivated a significant online presence posting videos addressing: LGBTQ political issues, messages of positivity to the LGBTQ community, showcasing his life, and his ability to sing. Instinct Magazine described him as "the most important gay pop star today, and he is yet to release his first single!"

In August 2018, he did just that. And Girly, with an accompanying video on Youtube featuring drag queens Bianca Del Rio, Willam Belli, and Mariah Paris Balenciaga, made a huge splash, leading OUT Magazine to describe Duff as "poised to become the next big gay pop star." Another single, Rich, followed that September.

In 2019, Duff made his film debut in the gay coming-of-age movie Cubby. 

He released several more singles through the following year, including Hokie Pokie in September of 2020. Numerous other singles, songs, and videos followed.

In 2020, Duff described his sexuality as a complex journey of rediscovery. "I’m on a journey... I’ve been really curious about my sexuality lately. Really confused, but not any sort of crisis. I’m at peace with it. So, I’m not gay. I’m not bi. I’m not straight. I’m not asexual. I don’t even know anymore. I’m just living. Boxes are stupid." As of 2023, Duff was romantically linked with actor Rafael de la Fuente.

Duff has also been open about his journey to sobriety. He describes his twenties as a period of struggle with his mental health and addiction, which he worked through.  As of 2023, has been over three years sober.

House On Fire - John Duff 

I applaud his intent. And I'm glad he's living his best life, serving as a role model, and touching the lives of those in need of... touching. 

But he's not my thing. And that's okay. Does that make me a hater? Not at all. I don't care enough to be termed such.

Hey, we can't march in every parade, we simply can't. If we did, when would we live our own lives? When we would define who we are?

For me, there's a lack authenticity present which galls me. It feels void of artistic ingenuity and comes off more than a tad mercenary. It's the same lack of integrity I find to be true in 99.99% of all modern Broadway musicals and 79% of what passes as popular music these days. In the end? It's product. It fills a void. It fills a slot. It moves money in and out. It creates a viral stir. It apes something familiar. It is of its time.

Oddly, his art/music strikes me the same way Only Fans sites and modern gay porn hits me: it feels cold, vapid and disingenuous.

John Duff manages to paint a vast blank canvas for others to divine their sexuality, heal their wounds, boost their self-esteem, and stretch sheltered minds beyond mere definitions, labels or fads.

But, for me, personally, that doesn't make it worthy of my time, attention, support, or money.

Does it represent his journey? His development? His life? Of course. He's expressing his unique experience and all that he's been through. Good for him! Is he talented? Undeniably so.

So, while I applaud John Duff for keeping his parade moving forward? (Keep on marching, Babycakes!)

I am more than happy to let this one pass me by.

I Hate LA - John Duff