Who is Fancy Hagood? The queer country singer was rejected by Nashville and turned to LA’s pop scene, working with Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor – now he’s back in Tennessee on his own terms

Feb 13 , 2025

Changing attitudes mean Fancy Hagood is finally back in Nashville. Photo: @jmac8908/Instagram

Hagood felt under pressure to hide his true self after being rejected in Nashville, going to work behind the scenes of LA’s pop world instead; now he’s out and proud and doing country music his way

In October, musician Fancy Hagood released his latest album, American Spirit, marking a firm return to his country roots. It’s been an unconventional journey for Hagood, who began his musical immersion in church, where he sang and taught himself to play the piano.

When the Arkansas-born singer first moved to Nashville, he was told that he’d never build a career as a queer country musician. To keep his aspirations alive, he chose to move to Los Angeles and switch to pop music, working with stars including Meghan Trainor and Ariana Grande.

But with LGBTQ representation on the rise, Hagood decided to try his luck again and returned to Nashville in 2016. Despite a “humbling experience” that made him feel that “the industry in place was not set up for someone like me to be successful”, he persevered and landed a publishing deal in 2018, releasing his album Southern Curiosity in 2021. By blending boldness and authenticity in his music and carving his own path, Hagood has become the stand-out queer voice on Nashville’s often insular country music scene.

With the release of American Spirit, a 90s-country-inspired album centred on the idea of community, Hagood has brought to life the project he dreamed of when he first moved to Nashville.

Curious about Fancy Hagood? Here’s what you need to know about the country-pop star.

Fancy Hagood had a strict, religious upbringing

Fancy Hagood grew up in a strict home in Arkansas. Photo: @fancyhagood/Instagram

Born in Bentonville, Arkansas, Hagood, 33 – real name Jake – grew up in a deeply religious household where expressions of sexuality were not encouraged. But everything changed when, at 17, he made the life-changing decision to move to Nashville.

Where did the name Fancy come from?

In 2010, freshly out of the closet and working at fashion store Forever 21, Jake was given his nickname by colleagues inspired by Drake’s hit song of the same name and its unforgettable line, “You fancy, huh?” Variety reports. With support from songwriter Sara Haze, Hagood fully embraced the persona. Attending Nashville’s top industry events in full make-up, he confidently introduced himself as Fancy, cementing the name as part of his identity.