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Jacob Lusk
Jacob Lusk
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Key Information

Jacob Lusk (born June 23, 1987) is an American singer from Compton, California, who finished in fifth place on the tenth season of American Idol. He is also a member of Gabriels.

Early life

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Lusk was born in 1987 to Anglia and Gregory Lusk, and is from Compton, California. His father worked as a music producer,[1] but he died when Lusk was twelve. Lusk began singing when he was four years old, and performed at his church from the age of five.[2] He attended United Faith Community School in Long Beach, California,[1] and was the lead singer in the school choir, plays and programs.[2]

He is a minister of music at his church. Prior to American Idol, he worked as a spa concierge.[3] In 2007, he joined a gospel group called InNate Praise formed by the late hip-hop singer Nate Dogg, and he performed with the group at churches around Los Angeles County.[4]

He was arrested in November 2010 for missing a court hearing after being cited for riding on an L.A. metro train without buying a ticket, and spent three days in jail.[5] He was also initially sentenced to two years probation but was reprieved after pleading to the judge that the sentence would jeopardize his chance of appearing on American Idol.

His musical influences include his father Gregory Lusk, Billie Holiday, Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, James Moore, and BeBe and CeCe Winans.

American Idol

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Overview

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Lusk auditioned for the tenth season of American Idol in Los Angeles, California.

Lusk was first shown in the group stage of the competition where he performed with fellow finalist Naima Adedapo, Vegas Contestant Sophia Shorai, and Matthew Nuss, and Da'Quela Payne. all advanced to the top 102

He received high praise from Randy Jackson for his performance of "God Bless the Child" during the Hollywood rounds as the best ever seen on Idol. He was one of the top five males in the semi-final round, and therefore advanced to the Top 13.[6] Lusk was eliminated on May 5, 2011, finishing in fifth place. During the finale, he performed with Kirk Franklin and Gladys Knight.

Performances/Results

[edit]
Episode Theme Song choice Original artist Order # Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" The Undisputed Truth N/A Advanced
"A Change Is Gonna Come"[7] Sam Cooke
Hollywood Round, Part 1 First Solo N/A N/A N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 2 Group Performance "Get Ready" The Temptations N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 3 Second Solo "God Bless the Child" Billie Holiday N/A Advanced
Las Vegas Round Songs of The Beatles
Group Performance
"The Long and Winding Road" The Beatles N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round Final Final Solo "A Song for You" Leon Russell N/A Advanced
Top 24 (12 Men) Personal Choice "A House Is Not a Home" Brook Benton 11 Advanced
Top 13 Your Personal Idol "I Believe I Can Fly" R. Kelly 8 Safe
Top 12 Year You Were Born "Alone" i-TEN 12 Safe
Top 11 Motown "You're All I Need to Get By" Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell 3 Safe
Top 111 Elton John "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" Elton John 10 Safe
Top 9 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame "Man in the Mirror" Michael Jackson 1 Bottom 32
Top 8 Songs from the Movies "Bridge over Troubled Water" — The Pursuit of Happyness Simon & Garfunkel 7 Safe
Top 7 Songs from the 21st Century "Dance with My Father" Luther Vandross 4 Bottom 33
Top 6 Carole King Solo "Oh No Not My Baby" Maxine Brown 1 Safe
Duet "I'm into Something Good" with James Durbin Earl-Jean McCrea 9
Top 5 Songs from Now and Then "No Air" Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown 2 Eliminated
"Love Hurts" The Everly Brothers 7
  • ^Note 1 Due to the judges using their one save to save Casey Abrams, the Top 11 remained intact for another week, when two contestants were eliminated.
  • ^Note 2 Lusk was saved first from elimination, before Stefano Langone as Pia Toscano was eliminated.
  • ^Note 3 When Ryan Seacrest announced the results for this particular night, Lusk was among the Bottom 3 but declared safe second, as Stefano Langone was eliminated.

Post-Idol

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Lusk and the rest of the top 11 took part in the American Idols Live! Tour 2011, which began in West Valley City, Utah, on July 6, 2011, and ended in Manila, Philippines on September 20, 2011.[8] He performed on Live with Regis and Kelly on May 9, 2011, and on the Today show on May 10, 2011. In 2016, he formed Gabriels with Ari Balouzian and Ryan Hope.[9]

On June 25, 2023, he performed "Are You Ready for Love" alongside Elton John at John's headline performance at the Glastonbury Festival.[10] In October 2023, Lusk won The Breakthrough Award in the 2023 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards.[11]

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Lusk performed at the all-star tribute concert for the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song saluting singer and LGBTQ+ advocate Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.[12][13][14]

Personal life

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Lusk identifies as queer. Of his time on American Idol, he says "Even though I wasn't out, I was pretty, pretty flaming."[15]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jacob Lusk (born June 23, 1987) is an American singer and performer renowned for his emotive, powerhouse vocals spanning , , R&B, and pop genres. Born and raised in , he began singing in church choirs at age four, influenced by his father Gregory Lusk, a music who maintained a home studio in the 1990s and died from medical complications when Jacob was 12. Lusk first rose to national prominence as a contestant on the tenth season of in 2011, where he finished in fifth place and drew comparisons to legends like and for his dynamic performances. Prior to the show, he served as a minister of music at his church, worked as a , and co-founded the gospel group InNate Praise with support from rapper . Following , Lusk provided backing vocals for artists including and while building his career in . In 2016, Lusk co-founded the band Gabriels with producer Ryan Hope and multi-instrumentalist Ari Balouzian, blending gospel-infused R&B with electronic elements. The group released their debut EP, Love and Hate in a Different Time, in 2020 (reissued in 2021), followed by the album in 2022–2023, earning critical acclaim for Lusk's commanding presence and the band's innovative sound. Gabriels received nominations for International Group of the Year at the 2023 and 2024 , and Lusk performed with at in 2023, also joining on tour in 2022. In 2023, he won the Breakthrough Award at the Attitude Awards. Lusk parted ways with Gabriels in 2024 to launch his solo career under and , with performances at the Royal Albert Hall in May–June 2025 alongside and the Orchestra. He attended the same high school as rapper and has expressed plans to relocate to the .

Early life

Family and upbringing

Jacob Lusk was born on June 23, 1987, in , son of music producer Gregory Lusk. His father exposed Lusk to a rich musical environment from a young age, including maintaining a home studio in the 1990s. Tragedy struck in 1999 when Gregory Lusk died, leaving Jacob, then 12 years old, without his father during his formative years. Lusk attended United Faith Community School in , where he grew up in a close-knit family dynamic shaped by his mother's support following his father's passing. Lusk later attended Centennial High School in Compton, the same high school as rapper . Prior to gaining public recognition, he held various pre-fame jobs, including working as a spa concierge in the area, which provided financial stability while he pursued his passions. In 2008, Lusk was arrested for on public transportation in Long Beach, leading to a missed court date and an outstanding warrant issued in April 2009. The matter came to a head in November 2010 when he appeared in court amid his commitments; he pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge, received probation, but the sentence was ultimately reprieved by the district attorney in recognition of his professional obligations. This incident highlighted the challenges of his early adulthood in Compton, a environment marked by resilience amid personal and legal hurdles.

Early musical career

Born and raised in , which laid the foundation for his deep gospel roots, Jacob Lusk began singing at the age of four and was performing in church choirs by age five. His early exposure to music came through the church environment, where he developed a passion for and soul genres. Lusk's musical influences included legendary artists such as , , , , , and the Winans family, whose styles shaped his powerful vocal delivery and emotive phrasing. As he grew older, Lusk took on a role in his church community, serving as the minister of music and directing the , including that of his aunt's congregation. In this capacity, he honed his skills in arranging and leading performances, blending traditional elements with his personal flair for dramatic expression. In 2007, Lusk joined the gospel group InNate Praise, formed by hip-hop artist , where he earned a prominent spot as a after auditioning. The group performed at churches around , delivering energetic gospel sets that showcased Lusk's soaring tenor and stage presence, including notable appearances at events like the Smith Family Gospel Showcase in Long Beach. These early experiences with InNate Praise marked his initial foray into group performances beyond the church setting.

American Idol

Audition and selection

Jacob Lusk auditioned for the tenth season of in , , in September 2010, performing "" by . His initial audition was not televised in detail, but he advanced to the Hollywood Week rounds after impressing the s with his soulful delivery. Prior to auditioning, Lusk resolved a lingering legal issue stemming from a 2009 arrest for on a Los Angeles Metro train, which had resulted in a warrant; a dismissed his in November 2010, enabling his participation. During Hollywood Week, Lusk joined the group "Ebony, Ivory and Every," consisting of Adedapo, Matthew Nuss, and Da'Quela Payne, for a performance of "Get Ready" by . In the Las Vegas round, he performed "The Long and Winding Road" by with Adedapo and , which earned positive feedback for their harmony despite the high-pressure setting. In the solo round, he delivered a powerful rendition of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child," showcasing intricate melismas and soaring high notes that left the judges visibly moved; declared himself "blown away," hailed him as a "true ," and deemed it the best performance ever on the show. Lusk followed with a final solo of "A Song for You" by during the closing Hollywood session, further demonstrating his and emotional depth. Lusk advanced from the Top 24 males' performances as one of the top five by public vote. On February 25, 2011, Lusk was announced as one of the 12 male semifinalists in the Top 24, securing his spot in the live shows through the judges' deliberations. The panel praised his exceptional vocal power and artistic potential throughout the pre-live stages, positioning him as a standout contestant early on.

Performances and elimination

Lusk advanced to the Top 24 following a successful audition where his rendition of "God Bless the Child" earned high praise from the judges, propelling him into the competitive phase of season 10. During the Top 24 performances on March 1, 2011, Lusk delivered a soulful interpretation of and Hal David's "A House Is Not a Home," which judge described as one of the best performances of the season, highlighting his emotional depth and vocal control. praised the song choice as fitting Lusk's gospel-rooted style, while called it "beautiful." This performance helped secure his advancement to the Top 12. As the competition progressed, Lusk's performances showcased his versatility in R&B and genres, though he occasionally faced criticism for song selections that did not fully highlight his strengths. In the Top 11 on March 23, 2011, he sang and Tammi Terrell's "You're All I Need to Get By," receiving mixed feedback; Jackson commended the passion but suggested Lusk needed to vary his emotional delivery to avoid predictability. His Top 9 rendition of Michael Jackson's "" on April 6, 2011, was a standout, with Lopez noting its inspirational power and Jackson declaring it one of the strongest vocal moments of the season, though he advised Lusk to refine his phrasing for greater impact. These efforts kept him safe from elimination through the early rounds, but voter results placed him in the bottom three multiple times, including after the Top 7 on April 21, 2011. In the Top 5 on May 4, 2011, Lusk performed "" as a duet with , interpreting the and hit with a focus on its romantic tension, which drew applause for their chemistry but criticism from Jackson for being an unconventional choice that risked overshadowing his individual voice. His solo choice that night, Nazareth's "," was seen by the judges as a partial redemption, with Jackson acknowledging improved control despite pitch issues earlier in the set. On May 5, 2011, during the results show, Lusk was revealed to have received the lowest number of votes among the Top 5, finishing in fifth place after a season that saw over 60 million votes cast overall; he shared the bottom two with Lauren Alaina, who was saved, leading to his elimination. In his farewell performance, Lusk reprised "A House Is Not a Home," delivering a more confident and powerful version that earned standing ovations from the audience and judges. Following his elimination, Lusk joined the top 11 finalists for the American Idols Live! Tour, which ran from to , , across 49 cities, where he performed selections from his Idol repertoire alongside like Luther Vandross's "Never Too Much," contributing to the tour's gross of over $22 million.

Career with Gabriels

Formation and early releases

Gabriels was formed in 2016 in Los Angeles by vocalist Jacob Lusk, multi-instrumentalist and producer Ryan Hope, and violinist and producer Ari Balouzian. The trio came together when Hope and Balouzian, who were collaborating on music for a Prada commercial, sought out gospel talent and invited Lusk to contribute his vocals after discovering his work in local choirs. Following his appearance on American Idol in 2011, Lusk had spent years working as a choir director for artists including Diana Ross. The band's debut EP, Love and Hate in a Different Time, was released on December 4, 2020 (with a vinyl reissue in December 2021) and featured five tracks that explored themes of division and expression amid societal tensions. This was followed by their first full-length release, Angels & Queens Part I, on September 30, 2022, through Parlophone and Atlas Artists, a concise seven-track album clocking in at just over 27 minutes. The project continued with Angels & Queens Part II in July 2023, expanding the narrative with additional songs that built on the initial installment. Early critical reception highlighted the band's innovative fusion of Lusk's commanding gospel-soul vocals with orchestral strings, brass, and subtle electronic production, creating a cinematic and retro-futuristic sound. Reviewers praised the EP's atmospheric tracks, such as "Blame," for their moody yet euphoric blend of smooth basslines and sweeping strings that evoked both classic and modern introspection. The Angels & Queens albums were lauded for Lusk's powerhouse delivery, which anchored the trio's genre-defying approach drawing from , , and .

Major achievements and tours

In 2023, Gabriels gained significant visibility through a high-profile performance at the , where frontman Jacob Lusk joined onstage on June 25 to perform "," backed by the . This collaboration marked a pivotal moment for the band, highlighting their soulful sound alongside one of music's icons during John's farewell UK performance. Earlier support slots on ' Love on Tour in 2022, including a residency in , helped introduce Gabriels to a broader audience, with Lusk even joining Styles for a rendition of "Cinema" during one show. These live outings underscored the band's rising momentum following their album , blending gospel influences with electronic elements to captivate diverse crowds. In October 2023, Lusk received the Breakthrough Award at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, recognizing his innovative contributions to music and impact on LGBTQ+ representation. The honor, presented at The Roundhouse in London on October 11, celebrated his swift ascent from independent releases to mainstream acclaim. Gabriels received nominations for International Group of the Year at the 2023 and 2024 , announced in January and held on March 2 for the latter, placing them alongside acts like and . This recognition affirmed their growing international profile, building on the critical success of their debut album. In March 2024, Lusk performed "" at the for Popular Song concert honoring and , held on March 20 at in The event, broadcast on , featured Lusk's powerful rendition as part of a star-studded , further cementing Gabriels' ties to John's legacy.

Solo career

Transition from Gabriels

In 2024, Jacob Lusk announced his departure from the band Gabriels to pursue a solo career, marking the end of a significant chapter following the group's rising success in the music industry. This transition allowed Lusk to focus on individual artistic endeavors after years of collaborative work, with the band's 2023-2024 achievements, including high-profile performances and nominations, serving as a foundation for his next steps. Lusk's motivations for the split centered on seeking greater personal artistic expression, aiming to break new creative ground beyond the band's collective sound. Prior to this transition, Lusk's solo output had been limited, with no major independent releases following his early post-American Idol period, though he occasionally contributed backing vocals to other artists. Following the announcement, Lusk signed with Parlophone under Warner Music Group to develop and record his debut solo album, a project that remains in progress as of 2025. This deal represents a pivotal step in establishing his independent path, emphasizing his gospel-rooted soul style in a fresh context.

Recent projects and performances

In 2025, Jacob Lusk contributed vocals to the track "Dark Will Fall" by , featured on the soundtrack for the anime series Lazarus, directed by ; the full album was released on April 11, 2025, via . Lusk made his debut as part of a four-night residency for Pete Tong's Ibiza Classics from May 29 to June 1, 2025, performing alongside the Essential Orchestra conducted by , with each evening showcasing orchestral reinterpretations of electronic anthems. On August 3, 2025, he performed Aretha Franklin's "Think" alongside the Lawrence Johnson Singers at the ' Soul Revolution event, co-curated by and accompanied by the under Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. Lusk hosted "The Jacob Lusk Experience," a live discussion and performance segment, as part of the He Said, He Said, He Said - Live series on August 8, 2025, streamed at 7 p.m. EST. In October 2025, Lusk performed a special tribute at V Magazine's event during at de Paris, celebrating American designers and featuring collaborations with . Following his 2024 signing with under , Lusk continued work on his debut solo album throughout 2025, focusing on soul-infused material reflective of his roots, though no singles or specific themes have been publicly teased as of November 2025.

Personal life

Religious and family background

Jacob Lusk maintains deep roots in the Compton church community, where his family's longstanding involvement has shaped his spiritual life well into adulthood. Raised in a religious household in , Lusk has continued to engage with the local church scene, serving as minister of music at his family's church as recently as the mid-2010s when he first met collaborators for the band Gabriels during a session there. This role underscores his ongoing commitment to traditions amid his broader musical pursuits. Lusk's family musical traditions trace back to his late father, Gregory Lusk, a respected who operated a home studio in the , producing tracks for local artists and exposing young Jacob to the intricacies of creation. Gregory's legacy fostered a household immersed in and sounds, influencing not only Lusk's early exposure to artists like and but also the family's collective appreciation for vocal performance and production. Following Gregory's death when Lusk was twelve, his mother, Anglia, provided steadfast support, as evidenced by Lusk's public tributes to her role in his life during family milestones. Despite this gospel heritage, Lusk has navigated a balance between his church foundations and a secular career, infusing his work with Gabriels and solo projects with soulful, emotive depth drawn from religious without confining himself to traditional genres. His early experiences in Compton church choirs laid a foundational vocal style that persists, allowing him to bridge spiritual expression with contemporary soul and pop. This duality is evident in how Lusk describes his music as a natural extension of his upbringing, where church rhythms inform but do not limit his artistic evolution.

Sexuality and advocacy

Jacob Lusk identifies as , reflecting on his time on in 2011 as a period when he was not fully out but presented in a way he describes as "pretty, pretty flaming." He has noted that this visibility, despite the lack of explicit disclosure, inspired LGBTQ+ individuals, including a trans background singer who credited him as one of the first figures they saw on television. In public interviews, Lusk has discussed navigating his queer identity within gospel music and the broader entertainment industry, often rejecting rigid labels like "gay" in favor of describing himself as a "chubby Black boy who likes boys" and a "non-traditional romantic person." He has expressed discomfort with traditional categorizations, stating, "I don’t really like none of the words," while integrating his church-influenced background with authentic expression in his work with Gabriels. Lusk has also critiqued aspects of in music, such as the "glorification of the straight guy," which informed lyrics in Gabriels' song "Great Wind," inspired by a former partner. Lusk's advocacy for LGBTQ+ representation is evident in his receipt of the 2023 Attitude Breakthrough Award, which recognized his contributions to queer visibility in music. In his acceptance speech, he emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and inclusion, declaring, "Who you are is necessary" and affirming that his presence provides representation for those who have not felt seen. He has advocated for "healthy examples" of thriving queer lives, particularly for young people, drawing from his own experiences of scrutiny during American Idol, where he felt pressured to conform to expectations around being "gay enough" or "straight enough." Regarding survival and stardom, Lusk has shared that achieving success as a queer artist required resilience, noting, "It’s very rare that people get the first chance I got. It’s even more rare that you get another chance," after facing post-Idol hardships including homelessness. He views authentic queer expression in music as essential to personal and artistic fulfillment, stating, "When you get to show up as who you authentically are, at all times, the music is going to be personal."

References

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