by Shaun Knittel - SGN Associate Editor

There's no denying it: this year's Pride Idol was the best one ever. All the contestants gave so much of themselves and elevated this competition to a level that can only be described as a showcase of pure talent. But as with any contest, there can be only one winner. And Seattle Gay News is proud to announce that the 2012 Pride Idol is Chase Silva.

In an interview with SGN, Chase opened up about what winning this contest means to him, why he enjoys singing so much, and the community advocacy work he is about to embark on.

'Singing is in my blood,' said Chase. 'It's what I think about when I wake up in the morning, and when I go to sleep at night.'

The new Idol says music gives him a feeling of euphoria. He also views it as a way to bring people together. 'Music is universal, it has the power to connect people from different backgrounds or beliefs.'

Chase ultimately won 2012 Pride Idol because, aside from his amazing vocal talent, he can really sell the audience on a song.

When 2012 Pride Idol host Gaysha Starr announced he had won, Chase said, he was 'shocked and overwhelmed.'

'It was anyone's game that night,' he told us. 'For me to win this exceeded my expectations. For weeks I had joked with friends that I just wanted to be on a float in the Pride parade.'

Chase said that if he could give future contestants any advice it would be to 'pick songs that reflect you as a performer' and, above all, 'Sang, baby, sang!'

Community talent events like Pride Idol are important, he said, because they help bring the diverse communities within our movement together.

'You could really feel the love in the room on Sunday,' said Chase. 'It was such a good feeling to be a part of Pride Idol and I hope to be a part of many other events that bring our community together.'

Chase told SGN that Pride Idol gave him a chance to meet a lot of different people who share his passion for music. 'All of the contestants were so talented and deserved to be there. I felt fortunate to share the stage with them.

'The support I got from complete strangers humbled me,' he said, realizing that through his four performances at Pride Idol, he'd begun to develop a fan base.

Aside from performing at PrideFest at Seattle Center and singing on the Seattle Out & Proud float in the Pride Parade, Chase won a $1,000 cash prize.

Asked what he planned to do with the money, he said, 'I will be flying back home to Hawaii to visit my family that I haven't seen in four years. Also, I will donate some of the winnings to the Approve Referendum 74 campaign for marriage equality.'

As 2012 Pride Idol, Chase says he is all-in when it comes to spreading the word about the Approve R-74 campaign. From fundraisers to voter registration and ballot awareness, he's willing to lend his talents and work.

'I also would like to work with our youth,' said Chase. 'It is my goal to put together a karaoke and potluck party for the kids at Lambert House.'

Pride Sunday is right around the corner, and Chase tells SGN that there's never been a more important time to celebrate who we are as a community than this year. 'Pride is so important because we get to have fun and honor how far we've come as a movement. This year we will be celebrating while fighting for a brighter future for our community. 'I just love being a Gay man and all that comes along with that,' he said.

Community is a word that Chase believes in wholeheartedly, but he is also proud to represent the U.T.O.P.I.A. members of the LGBT family as 2012 Pride Idol.

'I'm Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, Portuguese from the Islands of Hawaii, and I am proud of where I come from,' he said. 'This past March I became a member of the local organization United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance, which I want to represent in a positive light as Pride Idol.'

While Chase believes it is important to be proud of your culture and heritage, he thinks it is also essential to remember that 'no matter what race of people you were born into, you are LGBT, and at the end of the day we are all fighting the same fight for equality, so it is important we continue to stand together.'

Chase Silva will be a name that many people will come to know. Singing professionally is a dream Chase says he's going to make come true.

'I'll sing at the opening of an envelope if I have to,' he said with a laugh. 'But seriously, my goal in life is to record an album and perform for thousands, if not millions, of people. I know I'm on the right track.'

Chase said he would like to thank Gaysha Starr, Sister Domine Trix, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, Neighbours Seattle, and 'everyone who believed in me.'

'I moved to Seattle to become more involved in the community and I couldn't be more happy with the way it's going,' he concluded. 'If you see me out and about, please say 'Hi.' Have a great Pride. And thank you for the support.'

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