jesse solomon Well aware of stereotypes.
Reality star launches music career, eyes moist. The 33-year-old Chicago native, who studied music at the University of Miami, had the same expectations when he began releasing music while starring on Bravo’s hit reality series. summer house.
But as he solidified his place as a series regular over the last three seasons, something changed. “Going on tour definitely helped things,” explains Solomon. men’s journal In an exclusive interview. “I was expecting a lot of negativity after every show and TikTok making fun of me. But I really feel like everyone who came and saw me perform live said, ‘Oh, this isn’t just a reality TV guy trying to be a musician. This is a real artist.'”
Recognition means a lot to a person who has spent years honing his skills. “I studied vocal jazz performance, I’ve sung my whole life,” Solomon says of his style, which he describes as pop with jazz, soul and funk influences. “I grew up listening to ’70s Motown, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and John Mayer, which is some of my all-time favorite music. I’m trying to bring that old-time pop music into modern pop music.”
For Solomon, making music offers something that reality TV cannot. “I think reality TV is more disturbing because I don’t control it,” he explains. “Sure, everything that happens is something I did or said, but what is presented in these 43-minute episodes is not up to me. Whereas with my music, it’s an incredible medium to talk about the things that matter most to me.”
Their first single, “Guess I’ll Start”, began to gain popularity online and eventually gained public attention. ringWho partnered with him in the music video. “It was actually a super organic idea we had,” he says. “It was a good way to make fun of myself, like, ‘Oh, Jesse Solomon is singing his song while walking down the street.’ But it also seemed like a great way to capture a really high quality music video.”
Now, his focus is on his latest single, “Wildfire”, a track he promises has “big summer energy”, adding, “I’m really excited about it. There’s a lot of things I can do. I’m thinking about a remix. I’m thinking about doing an acoustic version. I’m thinking about a music video.”
Still, he’s trying not to get ahead of himself. “You can’t impose a trend,” he says. “You have to be receptive and see what people like.”
It’s not always fun to navigate the court of public opinion, but he approaches it with a unique perspective. Testicular cancer survivor Solomon celebrates five years of being officially cancer-free in 2024. “When I find myself upset about anything, I just try to think about all the things I’m grateful for because I’m so blessed, and my life is so good,” he explains. MJ. “If you really zoom out and think about the complaint, it’s very small in the grand scheme of things.”
He applies the same philosophy to internet haters. “People I don’t know are mad at me, and they don’t even know me, but they think they know me. You have to remind yourself that I get to do what I love every day, which is music.”
To stay grounded, he relies on a routine of avoiding his phone first thing in the morning, prioritizing workouts, journaling, and checking in with a therapist every few weeks. “You definitely have to find things to keep yourself grounded,” he says.
Shawn Zaini/Bravo
As another summer approaches in the Hamptons, it will be important to maintain that headspace — and things will look a little different this time. The recent season 10 reunion was emotional for Solomon, leading to the loss of several friendships within the group – including her roommate, west wilson.
“For better or worse, these are our real lives,” says Solomon. “They’re some of my best friends. Believe me, I didn’t want to cry on national television. When you spend your summers with the same people and I literally share a bedroom with West, you get to know people very well.”
Amid reports that Wilson will not be returning to the show this season, Solomon is looking forward. “I’m so excited to be back there,” he says. “I love summer, and despite the chaos, it’s a unique experience.”
Whether he’s retreating in front of the Bravo cameras or on stage at a concert, Solomon has no worries about proving the doubters wrong. He would rather just let the music do the talking.
RELATED: From Reality TV to Retail: How Southern Charm’s Craig Conover Built Sewing in the South—and What He Learned Along the Way (Exclusive)
