Curtis Braly

Today feels like a full circle moment I’ve been waiting almost a decade for ❤️

When The Greatest Showman first came into my life, I didn’t just watch that movie… I needed it. I was out on my first major tour with Tanya Tucker, stepping into rooms every night as an out and proud gay man, carrying both excitement and a little bit of fear. I had been warned by my team about what could potentially happen in regard to hate, violence judgment & needing to be careful.

But this movie, this story, it reminded me who I was.

It gave me the confidence & strength to walk on those stages night after night as my full, authentic self. No shrinking. No hiding. Just showing up proud.

And what I found on that road?
It wasn’t hate.
It was love. It was hugs. It was verbal affirmation & acceptance from thousands of people, including Tanya and her incredible fan base.

I’ll never forget sitting there during my first viewing of the movie, the credits rolling, and saying out loud, “I guarantee you this will be adapted to musical theatre.”

And now, here we are.

Almost 10 years later.
Day 1. Travel day.
On my way to London to watch the premiere of the live stage adaptation.

I already know this is going to be one of those moments, the kind that hits you right in the chest, makes the hair on your arms stand up and brings tears you don’t even try to hold back. The good kind.

Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Now excuse me while I warm up my vocals on the flight, because if there’s an audience sing along moment, you know I will absolutely be ready 😂🎶

Last night at a friends & family Christmas Eve party, one of my longtime friends asked me to sing.

Since I don’t get many chances to do that these days, I said yes. Of course… she picked one of the hardest songs to pull out last-minute 😂

Love you, Lisa Martin. Thanks for always encouraging me to get up there and do what I love. Grateful for friends who push you just enough. ❤️🎶