Jake Shears
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1978-10-03
    • Born Place: Mesa, Arizona, USA
  • Also Known As:

    Jason Sellards

Jake Shears

Jake Shears (born Jason Sellards on October 3, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor, most famous as the charismatic lead vocalist of the glam-rock band Scissor Sisters. Born in Arizona and raised in the Seattle area, Shears moved to New York City in the late 1990s to study fiction writing at The New School. During this time, he became a fixture in the city's queer nightlife and electroclash scene, working as a music reviewer for Paper magazine and occasionally as a go-go dancer. In 2001, he formed Scissor Sisters with Scott "Babydaddy" Hoffman. The band became a global phenomenon, particularly in the UK, where their 2004 self-titled debut was the best-selling album of the year. Known for high-energy hits like "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" and "Filthy/Gorgeous," Shears became an icon of flamboyant, queer-positive pop. Following the band's hiatus in 2012, Shears relocated to New Orleans, a move that heavily influenced his soulful and brass-heavy self-titled solo debut album in 2018. He expanded his creative reach into theater and literature, publishing his acclaimed memoir Boys Keep Swinging (2018) and making his Broadway debut as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. He also co-wrote the music for the musicals Tales of the City and the Elton John-collaborated Tammy Faye, which won two Olivier Awards during its West End run. In 2023, he released his second solo album, Last Man Dancing, and starred as the Emcee in the West End revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Recently, Shears has been active with his 2024–2025 House music project Lovequest and a highly anticipated Scissor Sisters reunion tour scheduled for 2025.

Person History