He's sang and danced alongside Cyndi Lauper, Martha Walsh and Chaka Khan. He's been named one of OUT magazines most influential icons, and is the first independent artist to debut at #1 on MTV Network's LOGO. Needless to say, Ari Gold has come along way since he landed on the Pop music scene in 2000. We recently caught up with Gold to see what he's working on, where he stands on gay marriage and what he'd tell his fifteen-year-old-self today.

HS: You've come a long way since your self-titled debut album in 2000. What's been the biggest surprise of your career over the last nine years?

AG:  The biggest surprise is how scared people still are of art that really speaks the truth. The mainstream music industry still doesn’t want to take chances on gay artists unless they are American Idols.  But the mainstream music industry doesn’t want to take chances on anything these days cause they are freaking out about how things have changed.  That’s why its such a breath of fresh air to see an artist like Lady Gaga pushing the envelope when we’ve only had very safe artists for the last 10 years.  But I find it more surprising when gay people are not ready to see themselves reflected back at them in a real way and they would rather see themselves through someone who is really not like them at all.  It’s been surprising to me at how scared gay people can be when you would think that once we’ve gone through the challenge of coming out we’d be ready to face anything.  I’ve been trying to help move us forward and hopefully I’ve succeeding in allowing a space for even an American Idol like Adam Lambert to be as out there as he is.

HS: Over the last nine years you've collected quite a few awards, which one(s) mean the most to you?

AG: Because I have chosen so strongly to make music that speaks directly to gay people it means a lot when the community shows their appreciation like when I won my Outmusic Awards or was chosen as an OUT100.  At the same token winning the USA Songwriting Competition or an Independent Music Award is validating cause it’s only about my musicianship which can be overshadowed sometimes by how political I tend to be.  I guess both feel great in different ways...although nothing feels as good as actually doing the work, being creative and performing for the fans.

HS: We have so few gay male icons and role models, how do you feel about shouldering that responsibility?

AG: It was a decision I made very early on because there were so few and even less in the world of pop music.  When I came out there was nobody who was making pop music and singing about guys.  But I’m just one person and I’m telling my story of what it means to me to be gay and hopefully it has inspired others to tell their version because really there are as many ways of being gay as there are gay people.  But we can all see ourselves in each other...and even straight people can see themselves in us.  Its called being human! (laughs).  I’ve had to take some hits, but that’s what happens when you are blazing a trail that hasn’t been blazed before.

HS: After the Maine's decision to deny gays the right to marry, some prominent gays have come forward and said we should step back from marriage and go for civil unions? Which side of the fence are you on?

AG: I have a song on my album called “Love Wasn’t Built In a Day” and it speaks to how things do take time and we have to keep working toward our goal and not give up.  But at the end of the day I do think its important to have full rights which means marriage equality.  I don’t believe heterosexuals have the right to language and the definition of marriage.  It spreads the wrong message.

HS: What's your favorite part of living in New York? Any favorite restaurants, shops or hideaways you could share with HeSaid readers?

AG: I have so many!  New York in the fall is such a great time.  There’s a bar in my hood I’m obsessed with right now called Sunita and that’s the name of this beautiful woman who owns it.  She makes this Jalapeno Passion martini that is an experience for your senses! I also like Jin, which is a great Japanese restaurant on Broome Street.  G is a fun chelsea gay bar.  And if you want some dirty fun there’s the 2nd Ave strip between 2nd and 3rd with Urge, Dtox and The Cock—its the dirty trifecta!

HS: Your last album was in Feb 2009, when can we all expect a new release?

AG: I have new remixes of “Mr. Mistress,” my third single, along with a new video for “I Can Forgive You” that Christopher Ciccone directed.  I may actually release one more off Transport Systems.  But I am working on my next album.  It probably won’t be out till late 2010 or early 2011.

HS: Where did you get the idea to launch a skincare line?

AG: I was approached by iLine to represent their skin-care line and then we deiced I could choose my favorite products and develop my own signature line called “Au” like the element gold.  There’s a body butter, an Action C face moisturizer, a face scrub and muscle rub.  These are products that I really use and love.  They smell and feel great. There’s a link on the store page to buy the products...and of course there’s my fan store with my 2010 calendar! 

HS: What artists do you look to for inspiration?

AG: I just saw This Is It and it was so inspiring! Michael has always been a huge inspiration.  But I get inspired by all kinds of art...painting, photography, film, books, theater.  For pure vocal production you can’t come for Brandy.  She’s underrated. 

HS: We hear you're getting ready to launch a "autobiographical homotheatrical multi-media musical" Give us the scoop in this?

AG: I’m developing it with Colman Domingo who was in the Spike Lee film Passing Strange based on the Broadway musical and he also just finished a hugely successful run of his one autobiographical solo show in NYC called “A Boy And His Soul.” that got insane reviews.  Mine is about my life growing up orthodox, and in show biz and becoming a gay pop star.  It’s in its early development stages.  Its a pop musical.

HS: If you could look back now, what would you tell your 15yr old self?

AG: Just own everything you are and don’t worry so much.

To learn more about Ari Gold visit, www.arigold.com

You can also become an official fan of Ari Gold on facebook and MySpace. You can also follow him on Twitter/arigoldfans.