Also known as Richard Jason Helton Genres Christian pop Record label GospoCentric Records | Origin Cumming, Georgia Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter Albums Real Life | |
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Birth name Rolando Alberto de Jesus Rivas, Jr. Born May 17, 1981 (age 35)
Pasadena, Texas ( 1981-05-17 ) Instruments vocals, singer-songwriter Genre Contemporary Christian music Movies and TV shows American Idol, The Best of American Idol: Seasons 1-4 Similar EJay Day, Nikki McKibbin, Tamyra Gray, Jim Verraros, Ryan Starr | ||
Richard Jason "R.J." Helton (born May 17, 1981; as Rolando Alberto de Jesus Rivas, Jr.) is an American Christian musician, who sings Christian pop music. He has released a studio album, Real Life, with GospoCentric Records. This album was his breakthrough release upon the Billboard magazine charts.
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Early life and background
Helton was born in Pasadena, Texas, on May 17, 1981, as Rolando Alberto de Jesus Rivas, Jr., to a Nicaraguan father, while he was adopted shortly after his birth by a couple from Cumming, Georgia, naming him Richard Jason Helton, where he was raised until moving while in high school. He graduated from Tuscola High School, in Waynesville, North Carolina, where he was in the choir. Helton stated singing in his church, when he was young.
Music career
His music career began with his fifth-place finish on season one of American Idol. This exposure got him a record deal with GospoCentric Records, where they released, Real Life, on March 23, 2004. This album was his breakthrough release upon the Billboard magazine charts, while it placed on the Christian Albums and Heatseekers Albums charts, where it peaked at Nos. 14 and 19, correspondingly.
Personal life
He said on a radio show that he was gay, in 2006.
Songs
Missing Me
Delicate Child
Canto de Amor