James Durbin Shares His Anti-Bullying Message in Miami (PHOTOS)

By On 03/31/2012 · 25 Comments · In American Idol, James Durbin

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American Idol’s James Durbin, WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio, The Miz, David Otunga, Alicia Fox and Lilian Garcia spoke to hundreds of Miami-Dade sixth grade students at Hialeah Gardens Middle School and John F. Kennedy Middle School on Thursday about taking positive steps to eliminate bullying in our society as part of the “be a STAR” anti-bullying alliance, co-founded by WWE and The Creative Coalition.

James  shared his emotional personal story of being bullied while in school — and how, after he took action and reported the bullying to school officials, the bully would come back months later… to apologize.

The mission of “be a STAR” (Show Tolerance And Respect) is to ensure a positive and equitable social environment for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation through education and awareness. The initiative promotes positive methods of social interaction provides students, teachers and parents with various tools and resources to help put an end to bullying in their community. For more information, visit www.beaSTARalliance.org.

The other Idol connection here is Jennifer Hudson’s baby daddy, David Ortunga.

Last night James took part in a video game tournament at the WrestleMania Axxess at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

“It’s awesome,” said James,  “I’m one of the WWE Universe. I’ve just been hanging out with all the guys and taking it all in. I have found they are just as big a fans of me as I am of them. So it’s really cool that I really got to be Justin Gabriel’s wingman in the videogame tournament. I had a blast. I was shaking the whole time, but I think it was because my hands were on the ropes and Mark Henry’s son kept bouncing on them.”
Check out some photos of James at Thursday’s anti-bullying rallies below.

 
  • Anonymous

    Thank you so much for posting this AND these photos, mj. So proud of James for his commitment to this worthy cause. He really IS an inspiration to kids who have been bullied. And all along we get to enjoy his wonderful talent.

    He still looks SO YOUNG with that blonde hair. Partly because, I imagine, he can’t have any black facial hair now! LOL

  • GS61_A

    What a great campaign to be a part of. I saw video of James talking about his personal experience with bullying and it was very emotional. Hope his experience can help one of those kids in a similar postion.

    On a brighter note, here is James with his video game partner from last night.

    Justin Gabriel?@Justin__Gabriel
    my trainer for the video game challenge @DurbinRock http://twitter.com/Justin__Gabriel/status/185910070045978624/photo/1

  • Anonymous

    For some reason I couldn’t post with Discus so if this comes out as a duplicate post, my apologies …

    Here is the news clip from the local TV station about the 3 schools that were visited in Miami-Dade:

    http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21007075569799/ 

    I love that James is doing this.  Bullying has been a problem that has been swept under the carpet for far too long.  Let’s hope that the message starts to have an impact on those that bully and gives hope to those that are bullied.

  • shamrock

    I am so proud of James for taking time in his schedule for a worthy cause that is dear to his heart.

    I think he is a great embassador for the cause, of course, because of his personal firsthand experience, but also because whatever social limitations he may or may not have around adults, with kids he always comes across as personal, genuine and sincere (not just here but also on Durbin Day with the little girl, in the Tourette’s doku, the story with Cole from the “Make a wish” Foundation etc.).

  • Anonymous

    Thanks so much for posting this mj. Whether anyone likes James’ music or not, his commitment to ambassador this cause is to be admired. It is a time commitment above and beyond his career, which keeps him plenty busy as it is. And, as someone said above, it highlights his connection with kids. Since I follow James pretty closely I see it all the time, but others might not be aware of how devoted he is to kids, and to helping them get through the difficulties he endured as a child. He can be socially awkward in the adult world, but to see him get down on his knees to connect with a child is a beautiful thing.

    And yes, I do think the hair makes him look like Billy Idol. Now that it is more platinum than yellow-blonde, I think it looks really good on him. I especially like the fact that he doesn’t seem to feel compelled to cover his forehead since he has gone blonde. 

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/DJ4FPAE2BM4XDCNVQITJSS3S2Q Sue

    James is lookin’ hawt!!!!!!!

  • GS61_A

    This weekend, in addition to a great cause, could end up getting him some nice exposure to new fans.
    At least another interview:

    Hit The Ropes Radio?@HitTheRopes
    @DurbinRock We’d like to set up an interview for our april issue of The Color Commentator to talk your Wrestlemania experience & your music.

  • Anonymous

    I’m really happy to see James new hair style. He’s looking younger and happier. I wish more folks would give his album a listen as I was impressed and really like it when I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. He’s cute with kids. He likes them and they like him and it shows. Good job.

  • Anonymous

     Great post, roarpen,

    I just HAVE to share this, too, where the kids talked him into singing at one of the rallies:

    http://fitperez.com/2012-03-30-james-durbin-gets-talking-into-singing-for-wwe-anti-bullying-event#.T3b5dv44oKQ

    He really does have an amazingly beautiful and powerful acapella voice. He’s really, really grown into this song after that first rough week of promotional rounds following the debut.

  • GS61_A

    There’s a clip on youtube of that snippet too that I saw. He really has grown into that song. Good thing too, because I saw a video of him saying he probably will be singing it on Idol, although he hasn’t completely ruled out another song, possibly the next single.

    I guess we’ll have to wait for April 12th.

  • Anonymous

    I am not digging Jame’s hair but I’m glad he is publically supporting something he so strongly believes in. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/casslg87 Cassie Gildert

    I love it that there are celebrities that recognize that bullying is a serious issue and are willing to take time to address it. They have so much influence and doing this really shows what kind of person James is.

  • Anonymous

    It’s more difficult to control pitch with a big voice, and James has had his problems.  But they seem to be over.  Let’s hope he gives pitch the attention it deserves when he sings whatever on Idol.

  • Anonymous

    I am so proud of you James you are such an inspiration to all those kids that have been bullied-You came through it and made something of yourself and now you can give back and be the voice to those who are looking for someone to tell their story and not be afriad anymore.  I just love you.  God Bless you and your beautiful family! 

  • Anonymous

     I have to ‘like’ your post a ga-zillion times because I just love James, too.

  • callmecrazy

    o/LOVE JAMESo/

  • David I-Chen Lin

    hm I didn’t even realize that’s him! I thought I clicked the wrong thread

  • Anonymous

    I’m so glad he has this opportunity. My husband has narcolepsy which is another misunderstood affliction. But my husband doesn’t sing so amazingly like James. :-)

  • Anonymous

    I applaud him for doing this, but James get rid of that ugly colored hair!

  • Anonymous

    He looks like billy idol. he’s finding himself. :-)

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/XDQP2Y46M5B3OHOKALDDGDHQCM Leandro

    James looks like a kid at Disneyworld when he is in these WWE events.

  • shamrock

    He really does, doesn’t he? :D And he is so contagious in his unbridled enthusiasm and joy. I mean, I don’t care a fig for Wrestling, and you’d have to tie me up and gag me to make me watch even 5 minutes. But when I see James, I might almost consider it. ;)

  • DragonFly

    Love it how James makes audiences laugh & a “Wow” to impromtu belting out a few lines of a song so well (referring to school link).  Lots of appreciation to the efforts re. a serious message.  Any celebs trying to make a difference on this subject is noteworthy.  Like the Be A Star Not a Bully approach.   
    Enjoying the Wrestlemania pics/posts:  “dream vacation for him” an understatement I’d say.  Giving a “like” to the lighter hair also–great that he’s having FUN with it!  

  • Anonymous

    We can never have enough of this message and it needs to start when they are young! I get my granddaughter every Thursday as part of the babysitting rotation. This past, she had on an anti-bullying T. I asked her why and she went on about how they have these assemblies and you have to put on the T that day. It is cute how serious at 7 she takes this. So we talked about it on our afternoon walk. She is basically just fascinated that I teach high school but it’s  great way to keep the dialogue open. As teachers, we can only do so much. A lot starts at home. I’m glad “celebrity” is stepping in to help with the message. If we build character at a young age, kids will learn tolerance.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Frances-Hamilton/100000713861178 Frances Hamilton

    Thanks so much for posting this article supporting James Durbin and his message re anti-bullying!  He is such a beautiful human being and I just love him and his amazing voice!