Greyson Chance went to the Justin Bieber school of becoming famous, going viral on YouTube and then building a music career off that. Ellen DeGeneres helped discover the musician back in 2010, and Greyson has been releasing music and increasing his stardom ever since. Whether you've been following his career since day one, or you're a recent fan, you have to check out these 6 facts about the singer-songwriter.
1. He took a two year break from music. Eight years after Ellen brought Greyson on her show, he returned to catch up with the talk show host. They discussed his decision to take a break from music at the age of 18 after working for 6 years. 'I was creatively exhausted, and a bit beat down too,' he told Ellen. So, Greyson decided to head to college in his home state of Oklahoma.
Everything you need Let me be the one to love you more And some way all the love that we had can be saved Whatever it takes we'll find a way I'll be waiting for you Here inside my heart I'm the.
'I left LA really feeling like I was never going to come back and I had really closed a chapter,' he said. 'And I was pretty content with that.' After a year off from music, Greyson felt the pressure lifted and decided to return to the craft. 'I said, 'Let's go back and let's do it, but let's do it on my terms this time and let's write how I feel.'
2. A fan inspired him to come out publicly. While on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Greyson told the story of the fan who inspired him to come out to his fans publicly. While Greyson came out to his family when he was 16, but he didn't do it publicly until he was 19.
'I really wanted to make sure that it didn't seem like I was trying to profit or sort of promote my sexuality as a means of getting more fame and popularity,' he explained. 'So I waited. I waited until I felt confident and yeah, I posted up on Instagram message and felt like that was the right thing to do.'
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![Love Love](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125527049/774412243.jpg)
He explained that a fan was the one who actually motivated him to post about himself on Instagram. 'There was this guy from Arkansas…and he told me his story and how he was going to have a much more difficult time than I ever did coming out to his family,' he said. 'And at the end of the message, he put 'I know you’re not gay, but I just want to let you know that your music really inspires me.'
'I looked at myself, and I was like, 'Come on, kid. Find that courage to do it, find the confidence.'
3. He got famous after he went viral on YouTube. He performed Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi' in the sixth grade and the video now has almost 54 million views!
4. Ellen DeGeneres invited him on her show. After he went viral, Greyson went on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to talk with the host and perform.
![To Love You More Youtube To Love You More Youtube](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125527049/599560140.png)
5. Ellen loved Greyson so much, she signed him onto his record label! In fact, he was the first person to sign on to her label eleveneleven.
6. He has dabbled in acting as well. Greyson guest starred in the series Raising Hope, playing a young version of the show's lead character.
7. He was once bitten by a fan! It happened when he was performing in the Philippines in 2011. He later told Rappler, 'It was fine, it was an accident. At least, I hope so. I hope she enjoyed the way my skin tasted.'
8. He second album, 'portraits' is out now!
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