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Ricky Rebel
Ricky Rebel
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Ricky Godinez, known by his stage name Ricky Rebel (born December 2, 1980), is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, and recording artist.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Rebel was born in Upland, California. He began training as a gymnast at the age of seven, and ranked 15th in the state of California at the age of 11. Rebel began training in classical ballet and jazz dance styles around the age of 11. Rebel immediately entered dance competitions at the regional and national level. After some years of competitive dancing, Rebel then began acting, and performed in musicals like Annie (1991), Oliver! (1992) and Phantom (1994).

In Los Angeles, he began training with vocal coaches Eric Vetro, Seth Riggs, and Mara Buyugalova and choreographers like Marguerite Derricks.[1] Debbie Allen then cast Rebel in the lead role of Pepito's Story, which debuted at the Kennedy Center.[2]

Career

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1995–2002

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In 1995, Rebel lent his voice to the Tom Hanks film Apollo 13.[3] In 1996, Rebel started working with the band No Authority as their lead vocalist.[4] No Authority was discovered by an A&R representative from Sony Records, and subsequently was signed to Michael Jackson's label MJJ Music, a custom label at Sony.[5]

In 1997, Rebel worked on multiple films, once as an actor in the film Anywhere but Here, once as a musical performer on the soundtrack for the animated film Anastasia, and once as a dancer in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.[6][7]

In 1997, No Authority released their first album Keep On, produced by Rodney Jerkins. The single "Girlfriend" appeared on the Trippin' original soundtrack.[8] No Authority toured Europe twice during this time and opened for Aaron Carter on the Kids Go Music Festival. The group also traveled to Canada to perform on the YTV Psyko Blast concert. In 1999, Rebel was featured in the Pepsi "Joy of Cola" commercial starring Aretha Franklin.[4]

After A&R representatives obtained a copy of No Authority's second album the group was later signed to Madonna's label Maverick Records.[9] While signed to Maverick Records the group released their first single "What I Wanna Do" produced by Herbie Crichlow from their self-titled album No Authority. The next single "Can I Get Your Number (A Girl Like You)," charted at number 18 on the Billboard Charts[10] and their third single "I'm Telling You This" was used in the movie Rugrats in Paris, which became a gold certified record.[11] The group toured and performed with Britney Spears (whom he opened for in her "Oops! I Did It Again" tour), Destiny's Child,[12] 98 Degrees, Jessica Simpson,[13] and the All That! Music and More Festival,[14] after appearing in an episode of the Nickelodeon show All That!.[14]

2003–2010

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During the period between leaving No Authority and the beginning of his new identity as Ricky Rebel, Rebel continued to perform on stage in shows like and Aida. Rebel became known as "Ricky Harlow" in 2004 when he assumed the role of lead vocalist for the band Harlow.[15][16] In 2004, he appeared in episodes of American Dreams and Boston Public, and later appeared at a children's charity event alongside Lindsay Lohan.[7] While working with Harlow, Rebel produced an album with Jay Baumgardner called Unstoppable.[citation needed] After performing around Southern California with Harlow the group disbanded in 2009 when Rebel encountered strong censorship from his manager/producer, and from the recording industry in general, about Rebel's desire to be an openly gay musician, and yearning to produce his own brand of dance pop music even since his days in No Authority.[17]

In 2010, Rebel was cast in two of My Chemical Romance's official music videos "Na Na Na"[4] and "Sing" where he played an androgynous rollerskating character named "Show Pony". He opened for My Chemical Romance for their CD release party at the House of Blues in Hollywood.[4]

2010–present

[edit]

Since 2010 Rebel has been performing as a solo artist. Rebel made a guest appearance on VH1's Audrina in 2011.[18]

In 2012 Rebel won the RAWards Musician of Year Award,[19] where he debuted his first big single "Geisha Dance."[20] Also in 2012 Rebel released his first album Manipulator; music from the album was featured on MTV's Good Vibes.[21] "Geisha Dance" was on the Mediabase Chart for 10 weeks (the chart featured on On Air with Ryan Seacrest).[22]

In 2014, Rebel collaborated with Claudio Cueni and released his second EP The Blue Album, which was preceded by the Blue EP.[5][23] Since 2014 Rebel has been a regular contributor to US Weekly's "Fashion Police" spread.[24]

In 2015, he appeared on the Fox 5 San Diego to perform his new single "Star" from his album The Blue Album.[25][26] He appeared as a celebrity model during the Los Angeles Fashion Week.[citation needed] Over 2015, he performed with multiple artists on tours, including Colbie Caillat and Blood On The Dance Floor.[27] In late 2015 Rebel secured a sponsorship agreement with the cosmetics company Mustaev USA,[28] and subsequently produced the music video for his single "Boys and Sometimes Girls" directed by Rock Jacobs.[29][30]

As part of his commitment to advancing gay rights in the United States Rebel performed at the 2014, 2015, and 2016 "Out at the Fair" festivals at The San Diego County Fair.[31] Rebel also performed at Gay Pride festivals in major cities like Phoenix, Long Beach, Orange County,[5] Palm Springs, San Diego,[31] and Las Vegas. Also, in 2015 Rebel performed at Matinee festivals in Las Vegas[26] and San Diego. He was signed to Revry TV, an LGBTQ streaming platform.

He performed at the 2016 "Get Out! Awards" in New York City.[32] Later in 2016 Rebel toured with boy-band O-Town.[33] Since 2015 Rebel has been working with DJ's Hector Fonseca, Casey Alva, and Tommy Love[26] to remix his songs "Star" and "Boys and Sometimes Girls."[34]

In 2017, "Boys & Sometimes Girls" spent 9 weeks on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and peaked at No. 28.[35] Rebel performed at the 2017 SXSW (South by Southwest) Festival in Austin, Texas.[28] Rebel also performed at a charity event at the Cannes Film Festival.[6] Rebel released The New Alpha in 2017 on Audio4Play Records.[36] This album features the single "If You Were My Baby".[6] In 2019, "The New Alpha" music video was selected for best music video at the New Renaissance Film Festival. It was considered in 2017 by the Grammy Foundation for a Grammy nomination and was ranked 67 on Louder Than War's top 75 albums of 2017 list.[37] He headlined "The Artist One Tour" along with other singers, and also appeared at the American Influencer Awards.[38] He received support from MAC Cosmetics, and his documentary on Revry was nominated for Best Music Documentary at the Out Web Fest Awards.[39]

In 2018, he performed in the New York Pride parade, representing Univision TV Network. This performance was of "Life is a Runway", which was turned into a music video. He later started working on a custom jewelry line called the "Ricky Rebel Renaissance" collection.[40]

In 2019, Rebel toured Japan as part of the "Champion" concert series. A tea ceremony was held in Rebel's honor with Master Watanabe Tsutomu, a top tea master. Ricky also appears on the red carpet at the GRAMMY Awards followed by an appearance the next morning on FOX & Friends. ELLE [41] magazine also named Ricky, as well as David Bowie and Madonna, to their Most Outrageous GRAMMYs Outfits in History list.

In 2023, One of the songs from his album 'Wild Reality', titled "Time Will Tell", was featured in the movie 'Apocalypse Love'.[citation needed] The film won Best Animated Feature award at the Golden State Film Festival.[citation needed]

Political views

[edit]

At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards Rebel wore a pro-Donald Trump jacket. He stated, "I'm reflecting millions of Americans out there who voted for Trump. Keep America great. That's right, baby. We are here. We're here all around the world, 50 million of us. My name is Ricky Rebel and I'm a reflection of America."[42] He appeared on Fox & Friends following this event.[43] Elle regarded his appearance at the 2019 Grammy Awards as one of the most "outrageous" in its history.[44][45][46] Rebel did not dress up for the Grammy Awards in protest of the impeachment of Donald Trump.[47]

He has done performances reflecting his politics, such as a performance during the #DemandFreeSpeech Rally in front of the White House and a performance at the American Priority Festival at the Trump Doral.[48] In November 2020, Rebel attended the Stop the Steal protest over the 2020 Presidential election results.[49] He later flew to Washington D.C. to attend the similar protest on January 6, 2021. He was slated to speak at this protest outside of the United States Capitol, but cancelled these plans after attendees began rioting and storming the Capitol.[50]

Discography

[edit]
Album name Release date Singles
Manipulator 2012 Manipulator, Geisha Dance
The Blue Album 2014 Star, Boys & Sometimes Girls
Star (Remixes) 2015 Star (Remixes)
Boys & Sometimes Girls (Remixes) 2016 Boys & Sometimes Girls (Remixes)
The New Alpha 2017 Time, If You Were My Baby
Magic Carpet (Remixes) 2019 Magic Carpet (Remixes)
The Royal Collection 2021
Wild Reality 2022 Time Will Tell
Veronica 2024 Veronica

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Ricky Rebel (born Ricky Felix Godinez; December 2, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, and recording artist recognized for his pop and glam rock styles.
He initially achieved prominence as the lead vocalist of the boy band No Authority in the late 1990s, releasing music on Michael Jackson's MJJ Productions label via Sony and charting at number 33 on the Billboard Top 40 with "Can I Get Your Number," followed by additional releases on Madonna's Maverick Records.
After fronting the band Harlow from 2004 to 2009 and rebranding from Ricky G. to Ricky Rebel, he launched a solo career highlighted by winning Artist of the Year at the 2012 RAWards, multiple album releases including the Grammy-considered Veronica in 2025, and Billboard Dance Club Songs chart success with singles like "Boys & Sometimes Girls" at number 28.
As a Recording Academy Grammy voter, Rebel has built a reputation for bold performances and fashion, while his public endorsement of Donald Trump—including wearing "Keep America Great" and "Trump 2020" attire at the 2019 Grammy Awards—has positioned him as a vocal conservative voice in Hollywood, emphasizing alpha male energy and representation of pro-Trump sentiments amid industry backlash.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Ricky Rebel was born Ricardo Felix Godinez on December 2, 1980, in , a city in the region of San Bernardino County. His family represented a working-class household, with his father employed as a carpenter and his mother working as a ; he has one brother, Hondo. From an early age, Rebel displayed a rebellious that contrasted with his suburban upbringing, fostering interests in physical expression amid a conventional family environment. At seven years old, he began training as a gymnast, achieving a state ranking of 15th in within his age group, which honed his discipline and athleticism. This period also marked his initial fascination with , as he reportedly told his parents, "I want to fly," prompting pursuits in movement that built foundational coordination and performance instincts.

Initial entry into music and mentorships

Rebel developed foundational performance skills through rigorous training in , , and during his formative years in California's region. These disciplines honed his physical agility and stage discipline, attributes that positioned him to demonstrate talent in competitive auditions rather than relying on external connections. Transitioning to music, Rebel auditioned in 1996 for background vocalist roles with a production company seeking support for an established artist, but his vocal prowess elevated him to lead singer status within the emerging ensemble. This opportunity arose from direct talent evaluation in the audition process, underscoring how demonstrated ability—rather than or chance—propelled his initial industry involvement. At age 16, a music producer submitted the group's demo tape to , who facilitated their signing to his MJJ Productions imprint under Records in 1997. Jackson's endorsement stemmed from the tape's evident musical quality, providing Rebel with direct that emphasized professional development and performance standards. This relationship marked his formal entry into recorded music, grounded in empirical assessment of his and the group's capabilities.

Career

Formation and boy band era (1995–2002)

No Authority was an American signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Productions label in the mid-1990s. Originally formed as a quartet in , the group consisted of lead vocalist Ricky Godinez (later known as Ricky Rebel), Josh, Eric "Stretchy," and Danny. Godinez joined as the frontman in 1997, bringing a dynamic vocal presence that defined the band's sound influenced by R&B and dance elements. The band's debut album, Keep On, was released on November 4, 1997, via MJJ Music and Sony Work, with production contributions from Rodney Jerkins. Featuring singles like "Don't Stop" and "One More Time," the record received moderate airplay and sales within the burgeoning late-1990s boy band market but did not achieve major chart breakthroughs. In 2000, No Authority issued a self-titled sophomore album on Maverick Records, which climbed to number 18 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, signaling niche appeal amid intensifying competition from established acts like *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. No Authority gained early visibility through extensive touring, including a 26-city U.S. opening stint for ' shows, as well as shared bills with , , , and Ashlee and . These performances exposed the group to large audiences during the height of frenzy. However, by 2002, the band disbanded as consumer habits shifted toward digital formats like , physical album sales plummeted, and market saturation led to a broader decline in popularity, prompting labels to pivot away from the genre.

Label transitions and collaborations (2003–2010)

Following the dissolution of around 2002, Ricky Godinez, performing under the stage name Ricky G, transitioned to fronting the rock band starting in 2004. This shift marked his move away from pop toward a harder-edged sound, amid the broader contraction of the early music industry, where major labels consolidated resources and prioritized established acts over emerging groups following the post-millennium decline in sales. Harlow's formation reflected Godinez's personal initiative to sustain a performance career, though without the backing of a major label like the MJJ Productions or Maverick Records affiliations of his prior group. In 2005, Harlow released the album Unstoppable, produced by Randy Cantor, known for work with . The record, mixed and mastered by , featured tracks emphasizing resilience and energy, such as the title song proclaiming "we're unbeatable... we're unstoppable." The band performed regionally in , building a local following through live shows but achieving no significant national chart presence or commercial breakthrough. This outcome underscored the challenges of transitioning from a signed to an independent-leaning act, as digital distribution was nascent and physical sales dominated a market increasingly favoring hip-hop and adult contemporary over rock-infused pop ensembles. Harlow disbanded in 2010, prompting Godinez to rebrand as Ricky Rebel to pursue a solo trajectory. During this era, verifiable collaborations remained limited, with Godinez contributing backing vocals to select projects but none rising to high-profile status comparable to his earlier group tours. The period's label ambiguity—lacking major deals—highlighted causal factors like Godinez's agency in self-reinvention against industry headwinds, including reduced A&R scouting for non-superstar talent post-Napster disruptions. Empirical metrics, such as the absence of charting for Unstoppable, indicate modest visibility confined to grassroots efforts rather than widespread success.

Independent solo career and recent achievements (2010–present)

Ricky Rebel transitioned to an independent solo career in the early , self-releasing music after departing major labels and focusing on personal artistic control. In 2012, he won at the RAWards and issued his debut solo album Manipulator, marking a shift toward self-produced pop-dance tracks emphasizing provocative themes and visual spectacle. Subsequent efforts included The Blue Album in 2017, which featured the single "Boys & Sometimes Girls" and received a 10th anniversary edition in 2025, alongside remix collections like The Royal Collection and deluxe versions of Wild Reality. Key singles from this period highlighted his autonomous style, such as "Booty Eater" in June 2023, a bold track with an accompanying that garnered attention for its explicit content and choreography, later included on the 2024 Veronica. In 2023, Rebel undertook the "Wild Reality Tour" in , performing in venues across , , and from June 6 to 20, blending music with elements in a self-curated production emphasizing live energy over label-backed promotion. The 2024 release Veronica, a 10-track pop album, was submitted for Grammy consideration in Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album categories, reflecting self-directed production amid the streaming era's challenges. In 2025, the single "Right Again" (with SDVM remix) entered Grammy submission for , Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Pop/Dance Electronic categories, while Rebel launched new performance residencies and received inductions into the Music Hall of Fame (January 26, 2025) and American Entertainment Hall of Fame. These milestones underscore innovations in independent distribution and thematic risk-taking, yet metrics reveal niche appeal: reports around 800 monthly listeners and 2,600 followers, with videos often under 100 views, contrasting broader streaming successes and indicating limited mass penetration despite targeted tours and submissions. Live attendance data remains sparse, but tour venues like Ruby Room and Socore suggest intimate crowds under 300 capacity, aligning with self-sustained operations over arena-scale events.

Political views and activism

Endorsements and public support for conservatism

Ricky Rebel endorsed during the 2016 and reaffirmed his support in subsequent cycles, including public statements praising Trump's resilience amid assassination attempts in 2024. On July 16, 2024, following the first attempt on Trump's life, Rebel posted on : "President Trump is a ... Still not sorry for supporting this brave man from the beginning," emphasizing Trump's as a model of strength. Rebel has articulated policy-aligned preferences rooted in Trump's "America First" approach, including aversion to foreign entanglements, as indicated by his use of hashtags like #nonewwars in pro-Trump content. In a 2019 interview, he described Trump as embodying "alpha energy," which he said inspires personal ambition and contrasts with perceived cultural weaknesses in entertainment. These views align with conservative critiques of expansive government and cultural overreach, positioning Trump as an alternative to divisive progressive narratives. Rebel engaged conservative media outlets to amplify his endorsements, appearing on in February 2019 alongside to defend visible Trump support at the Grammys as representation for "closeted" backers in Hollywood. He also featured on Bill Mitchell's YOURVOICE™ program that year, where he stated, " as a conservative is harder than as gay," challenging mainstream depictions of conservative views as marginal within liberal-dominated industries. His 2020 parody single "MAGA YMCA" garnered verifiable traction, exceeding 5.6 million views on Facebook by September and over 500,000 on YouTube, reflecting broadened appeal among conservative audiences. Rebel performed the track at events like the Cubans for Trump rally in Miami on October 21, 2020, before tens of thousands, and the Walkaway Defend Democracy Rally in Washington, D.C., on November 15, 2020, fostering alliances with figures such as Brandon Straka and Mindy Robinson. This activity underscored tangible growth in his conservative following, countering elite media narratives that isolate such support as outlier behavior.

Challenges to industry norms and free speech advocacy

Ricky Rebel has positioned himself as a critic of ideological conformity in the entertainment industry, particularly by openly identifying as bisexual while endorsing , which defies expectations that LGBTQ+ artists must align with left-leaning politics. In interviews, he has argued that such support stems from principled disagreement with compelled uniformity, stating that " as a conservative is harder than as " due to professional ostracism risks in Hollywood. His public declarations, including repeated affirmations of Trump as a "hero" as recently as July 2024, underscore a deliberate rejection of industry pressures to suppress dissenting political expression. Rebel advocates for unrestricted artistic freedom, asserting that the industry often attempts to enforce ideological alignment through subtle coercion rather than overt censorship. He has cited personal experiences of being "pushed and pulled" toward conformity, framing independent artistry as a bulwark against such influences, which allows creators to prioritize authenticity over market-driven narratives. This stance aligns with his broader defense of free speech, where he emphasizes that true expression requires resistance to norms that penalize non-progressive viewpoints, even amid potential backlash from peers and gatekeepers. Critics have occasionally dismissed Rebel's positions as opportunistic bids for attention, yet his decade-long consistency—from early Trump support in to ongoing advocacy—suggests otherwise, as evidenced by sustained social media posts and interviews predating major visibility events. Empirical patterns in his career, including a shift to independent releases post-2010, reflect calculated risks favoring long-term creative autonomy over short-term industry favor, prioritizing causal outcomes like audience resonance over elite approval.

Controversies

2019 Grammys appearance and backlash

On February 10, 2019, during the red carpet arrivals for the at the Staples Center in , Ricky Rebel wore a custom pro-Trump ensemble designed to provoke discussion on political conformity in Hollywood. The outfit included a red, white, and blue jacket emblazoned with "Keep America Great" on the front and "Trump 2020" on the back, paired with white pants, bedazzled white boots, mirrored glasses, a silver spiky headpiece, and a red "MAGA" handbag. Rebel explained the choice as a deliberate statement to represent "closeted" Trump supporters within the entertainment industry, claiming that numerous professionals privately back President but remain silent due to anticipated career damage from public expression. He positioned the appearance as an act of for those fearing , drawing parallels to his own experiences as a bisexual navigating industry expectations. The display elicited swift condemnation from and celebrity commentators, who described it as inflammatory and disruptive to the event's apolitical tone, with some outlets framing it as endorsement of perceived to foster division. Coverage in left-leaning publications emphasized the outfit's jarring contrast against the Grammys' progressive cultural backdrop, attributing backlash to its association with Trump's polarizing presidency rather than mere . Rebel rebutted such critiques by invoking free speech principles, insisting in post-event interviews that he harbored "no apologies" and aimed to expose the prevalence of suppressed conservative viewpoints in a sector dominated by uniform ideological signaling. While no disciplinary actions followed from or event organizers, the incident boosted Rebel's profile among conservative media audiences, generating interviews that amplified his narrative of industry intolerance toward nonconformity. This event underscored tensions at the nexus of , artistic expression, and political affiliation, with Rebel citing it as emblematic of broader causal pressures silencing in Hollywood's professional ecosystem.

Provocative artistic expressions and censorship debates

Ricky Rebel released the single "Booty Eater" on June 1, 2023, as part of his independent solo output, featuring with explicit that directly confront taboos around bodily and desire. The track, which accompanied his Wild Reality Tour in , adopts a sex-positive stance, celebrating unfiltered personal expression amid what Rebel describes as overly sanitized industry expectations. This release prompted discussions on the boundaries of artistic liberty versus calls for , with Rebel framing the song as a deliberate challenge to societal norms that prioritize offense avoidance over creative risk-taking. Proponents of such work, including Rebel, contend that explicit themes in music should be governed by audience reception and market dynamics rather than preemptive restrictions, arguing that imposed standards stifle innovation and individual agency. Critics of provocative content, drawing from broader cultural debates, have historically labeled similar explicit material as promoting without redeeming value, though no platform bans or widespread suppression of "Booty Eater" were reported, suggesting empirical tolerance in distribution channels. Rebel's approach extends to resisting homogenized trends in the music sector, where artists blending politically conservative endorsements with sexually liberated themes—like comparisons to or —disrupt expectations of ideological conformity. This fusion underscores arguments for uncurtailed expression, positing that true artistic merit emerges from defying both moralistic overreach and commercial self-censorship, allowing to determine viability over institutional gatekeeping.

Discography

Studio albums

Ricky Rebel's solo studio albums include Manipulator, released on October 8, 2012. The Blue Album followed as his second full-length release on July 1, 2014. The New Alpha, comprising 12 tracks, was issued in 2017. Wild Reality, co-produced by Gary Miller and Wayne Fowks, appeared on September 2, 2022. Veronica, featuring 10 tracks, was released on June 7, 2024, and has been submitted for consideration in the Grammy categories of Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year.

Notable singles and collaborations

Ricky Rebel released "Boys & Sometimes Girls" in 2014 as part of his album The Blue Album, with the single peaking at number 28 on the chart after nine weeks on the chart. The track, which explores fluid attractions, received multiple versions in 2016 and was later included in his 2021 compilation The Royal Collection. Another key single, "Life Is a Runway" featuring Vivacious, appeared on his 2017 album The New Alpha and was issued as a EP in 2018, emphasizing self-confidence and personal style through its video and . "If You Were My Baby," released in March 2017 with remix editions, achieved Top 40 status and highlighted Rebel's pop sensibilities in The New Alpha. Earlier solo efforts like "Geisha Dance" from the 2012 Manipulator charted for 10 weeks on the chart and received airplay, while "Get It On" from the same underscored his direction. In 2025, Rebel issued "Veronica" as a single tied to his GRAMMY-nominated of the same name, earning nods for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year. Rebel's collaborations span producers and featured artists, including remixes by DJs such as Hector Fonseca and Casey Alva for tracks like "Star." A 2025 EP paired him with Jeremy Syres, incorporating verses from , , and The Game, with a bonus track featuring , marking a shift toward hip-hop influences in his pop framework. Additional 2025 projects expanded these partnerships, as announced in conjunction with his residencies and GRAMMY pushes.

References

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