R. J. Helton

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.

R.J. Helton
Birth nameRolando Alberto de Jesus Rivas, Jr.
Also known asRichard Jason Helton
Born (1981-05-17) May 17, 1981
Pasadena, Texas
OriginCumming, Georgia
GenresChristian pop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrumentsvocals, singer-songwriter
Years active2002–present
LabelsGospoCentric

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 school choir. Helton stated singing in his church, when he was young.[1][2]

American Idol

Performances
Week Theme Song Original artist Result
Semi-Final Group 3 Free Choice "I'll Be There" Jackson 5 Wild Card
Wild Card Free Choice "Lately" Stevie Wonder Advanced
Top 10 Motown "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" The Four Tops Safe
Top 8 1960s "Under the Boardwalk" The Drifters Safe
Top 7 1970s "Superstition" Stevie Wonder Safe
Top 6 Big Band "I Won't Dance" Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Bottom 2
Top 5 Burt Bacharach Love Songs "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" Christopher Cross Eliminated

Music career

His music career began with his fifth-place finish on season one of American Idol.[1][2] This exposure got him a record deal with GospoCentric Records, where they released, Real Life, on March 23, 2004.[3][4][5][6] 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.[7]

Personal life

He said on a radio show that he was gay, in 2006.[8][9]

Discography
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[7]
US
Chr		 US
Heat
Real Life
  • Released: March 23, 2004
  • Label: GospoCentric
  • CD, digital download
 14 19

References
  1. Carpenter, Bil (2005). "Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia". Hal Leonard Corporation: 188. Retrieved February 9, 2015. RJ Helton Uncloudy Days. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Mineo, Robert (March 1, 2004). "American Dreams" (PDF). CCM Magazine. 26 (9): 42–3. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  3. Ely, Gordon (April 3, 2004). Paoletta, Michael (ed.). "Album Reviews: Gospel; R.J. Helton – Real Life" (Print). Billboard. 116 (14): 47. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  4. Jenison, David (June 1, 2002). "R.J. Helton: Real Life" (PDF). CCM Magazine. 26 (10): 50. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  5. Breimeier, Russ (March 23, 2004). "Real Life". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on September 7, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  6. Hames, Daniel (September 1, 2004). "Review: Real Life – RJ Helton". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  7. "Real Life – RJ Helton : Awards". Billboard. AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  8. Silverman, Stephen M. (October 20, 2006). "Former Idol Finalist Helton Says He's Gay". People. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  9. Staff (April 14, 2010). "Former R.J. Helton's Emotional "Coming-Out" Performance". The Advocate. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
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