Jake Shears

October 3, 1978 — Mesa, Arizona, United States

Jake Shears is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor best known as the co-lead vocalist of the pop-rock band Scissor Sisters, which found major success in the 2000s. Born Jason F. Sellards, he built a career defined by flamboyant showmanship, dance-infused pop songwriting, and genre-crossing collaborations. Since Scissor Sisters' hiatus, he has pursued a solo recording career and expanded into theater, including a Broadway debut in Kinky Boots.

Early Life

Jake Shears was born Jason F. Sellards on October 3, 1978. He spent part of his childhood in Arizona before his family relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where he grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington. From an early age, Shears gravitated toward music, theater, and performance, absorbing influences from disco, glam rock, and classic pop songwriting. After finishing high school, he moved to New York City, immersing himself in the city's vibrant nightlife and underground club scene during the late 1990s. That environment—full of drag performers, DJs, and downtown artists—proved formative, shaping the theatrical, unabashedly queer aesthetic that would later define his music. It was in New York that he adopted the stage name Jake Shears and began collaborating with musicians who shared his enthusiasm for blending dance music with rock sensibilities. These early experiences in New York's club culture laid the groundwork for the band that would soon bring him international fame: Scissor Sisters.

Scissor Sisters and Rise to Fame

Jake Shears co-founded Scissor Sisters in New York City in 2001, serving as co-lead vocalist alongside Ana Matronic. The band quickly became known for its glammy, disco-inflected pop-rock sound and flamboyant live performances. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2004, became a massive hit in the United Kingdom, spawning singles like 'Take Your Mama' and a widely acclaimed cover of Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb.' The album's success made Scissor Sisters one of the best-selling acts in the UK that year, even though they achieved more modest recognition in their native United States. The group followed with further albums, including Ta-Dah (2006) and Magic Hour (2012), continuing to chart hits and tour extensively throughout the 2000s. Shears' charismatic stage presence, campy humor, and songwriting versatility became central to the band's identity. Scissor Sisters went on indefinite hiatus in 2012, allowing Shears to pursue other creative avenues, including songwriting for other artists, theatrical work, and eventually a solo recording career that would showcase his talents outside the band format.

Solo Career and Later Work

Beginning in 2017, Jake Shears embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut solo studio album, Jake Shears, in August 2018. The record reflected a more organic, rock-and-soul-influenced sound compared to his work with Scissor Sisters. That same year, he made his Broadway debut starring in Kinky Boots, further cementing his presence in musical theater. He continued expanding his artistic output with a memoir, Boys Keep Swinging, published in 2018, offering a candid account of his upbringing and rise to fame. In June 2023, Shears released his second solo album, Last Man Dancing, continuing to explore dance-pop and glam influences while collaborating with a range of artists across the music industry. Throughout his career, he has remained an influential and visible queer artist in mainstream pop culture, using his platform to champion LGBTQ+ visibility long before it became more widely embraced in the industry. His work bridges nightlife culture, Broadway, and pop stardom, and his ongoing releases and collaborations demonstrate a versatile career that continues to evolve well beyond the peak years of Scissor Sisters.