Meet Delonte Pearson of Grand Rapids, MI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Delonte Pearson

Delonte, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been grateful for my distinction; I never knew just how far it would take me.

At the young age of four years, I gave my parents and family a glimpse into my future. Both my parents grew up with a background in musicianship and vocal artistry. They met in their high school gospel choir, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Being the first born to young parents, I’ve always been very reserved and independent, attentive to detail, and empathetic to surrounding people and environments. My dad would sing and play this song in the car that I grew to love. There was a monthly talent show that my parents helped run at our church at the time.

During one of the talent shows, I told my mom that I wanted to sing “dad’s song”. She asked if I was sure; my response called for a chair to be set in the front of a group of about 100 people. I stood on the chair with no fear, and sang with an instrumental backing, never missing a beat, a word, or a note. The product called for tears and applause from the entire audience. That’s what pulled my blush. I sheepishly climbed down from the chair I’d stood on, and walked shakily over to my mom’s warm embrace, not realizing I’d just set the tone for the rest of my life’s performances.

As I grew and developed in stature and intelligence, my affinity for creative endeavors such as music and visual arts grew with me. My parents quickly realized and encouraged my distinction in the creative world.

It’s from that young age that I showed interest in fashion through dressing myself, in vocal artistry through singing and live performances, and in visual arts through drawing and painting. When anyone gets close enough, they can still detect that little boy in me who found solace and identity in creativity.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Even the smoothest roads consist of divots and bumps that allow our wheels to hold grip in moving forward.

By no means could my road be considered smooth. There were dark nights where the road was lost; there were unexpected twists and turns that called for redirection; there were many instances where the road had not been paved at all. Still, I’ve pushed myself to continue forward, only looking back to see how far I’ve come.

At age 14, there was the original identity crisis that made me feel alone. Second grade is my first memory of same-sex attraction. There was a set of fraternal twins in my Montessori classroom that struck me as beautiful. Of course, at such a young age, I had never seen, heard of, or been educated in the area of same-sex attraction, so I couldn’t identify, talk about, or pursue these feelings. Naturally, I “dated” the female twin, and kept silent about my feelings for the male counter, hoping that this confusing feeling would subside; it never did.

As grade school continued, and I developed into a teen, I noticed an increasing attraction to both males and females. Fourth grade into sixth is what caused the formation of the self-consciousness that exists within even today. I was bullied a lot by both genders: I was called “gay” by the males because I refused to join in the immature activities and conversations they engaged in. Naturally, by the female counters that I was more attracted to platonically and romantically, I was made fun of for my features, as my eyelashes were long, and my head, teeth, and arms still needed to be grown into. On top of those things, I’ve never been the tallest. It was at this point that my distinction became a threat in my mind.

Switching schools going into the seventh grade gave me the opportunity to reinvent myself in a way that would inspire respect. I was provided the opportunity to be one of the first students to attend the first arts schools to exist in our area. This was the initial rebirth of Delonte, being introduced as the multi-talented and academically-accelerated student who was reserved, yet powerful.

My first conversation of my sexual identity and struggles took place shortly thereafter; it wasn’t pleasant for anyone involved. Whereas I wish I had been given the space and opportunity to have a more peaceful and productive conversation, it started with trouble and chastisement that inspired embarrassment, disappointment, anger and frustration, tears, and forced clarity. But in no way did it inspire closure, peace, courage, comfort, or openness. This was the conversation that made me feel alone; I became very private, even more reserved, and lost the desire to live or perform at or above maximum potential. Outside of my schoolwork, I became a shell, filled by what I felt was expected of me and would keep me just under the radar.

As I moved into my college and adult years, I began to silently explore, still maintaining a sense of self-preservation and survival. I butted heads with my parents, had some less-than-desired, serious conversations, lost trust in others again, and got myself into a 5-year manipulative and toxic relationship. I had met a man who, I felt, completed me and made me feel confident in ways I’d never felt before. I formed a trauma bond that I thought was love, and fell head over heels. I began forming my entire life around the potential of our relationship, not realizing I was building a foundation on something that never existed.

For a long time, I refused to accept the signs as such. I refused to listen to the words of those who begged and pleaded for me to see myself as worth far more than the treatment I was receiving. Before I realized it, I was engaged and making plans for a wedding that was never for me. I didn’t realize I had lost my foundation, I’d lost my passion and zeal, I lost my purpose, I lost my smile, and I lost myself. If I had stayed in that relationship, I might’ve lost my life, as that was the only thing left to lose.

It’s only been six months since the end of that relationship, and I’m still working on healing and rebuilding myself on a stronger, Firm Foundation. But even in this short time, I’ve connected with myself in ways I was never given the opportunity to. I know who I am, and for the first time in my life, I’m able to look in the mirror and say “I am enough”.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am what people would call a multifaceted individual: I’m a visual artist with graphic design as my profession, a vocal artist, a fashion designer and influencer, a dancer, a model, and an actor. There’s not one thing that I can’t do. If I’ve never tried it, and I’m asked to do it, I’ll do my best. That’s how a lot of my areas of speciality began.

I’ve become most known in the creative world for my authentic versatility. My determination to present the best version of myself in whatever I’m asked to do is what causes people to gravitate to me. One of my natural strengths, according the the Strengthsfinder Quiz, is individuation, which heeds the ability to help any individual recognize and maximize their own potential and abilities, especially in adding value to a team, group of people, or project. My purpose is my strength.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Without risk, there can be nothing new.

Risk could be considered the foundational aspect of what made me who I am. Risk is uncomfortable, but comfort is the home for fear and anxiety. Of course, risk comes with the daunting possibility of failure, but failure is the first step to success.

Without risk, there is no failure; without failure, there is no success.

Pricing:

• Graphic Design (starting hourly rate of $30)
• Fashion Design (pricing varies by project)
• Fashion consultation/styling (hourly rate of $30)
• Singing (hourly rate of $110)
• Modeling (pricing varies by project)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_delonte?igsh=MXZ2eTBxOXQxcGExZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr