Jamar Rogers of The Voice Talks About His Music and Life Beyond HIV in Positively Aware Magazine Interview

Chicago, Ill. -- Jamar Rogers of NBC's hit reality television show The Voice speaks candidly about his music, his struggles, and life beyond HIV in an in-depth interview in the July+August issue of Positively Aware, now available in print and online.

Earlier this year during auditions for the second season of the popular singing competition, which includes judges CeeLo Green, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton, Rogers disclosed to producers that he was HIV-positive. Throughout the run of the show and up until his elimination during the semi-finals, Rogers spoke very openly about his HIV status as well as his struggles with crystal meth addiction.

Rogers had previously discussed his experiences with addiction and recovery with American Idol producers while auditioning for seasons eight and nine of Idol, but at the time was not yet ready to talk about the fact that he was HIV-positive. His willingness to open up about his HIV status during auditions for The Voice was something that Rogers had decided he was finally ready to do.

"I decided a while ago to live for something greater than myself," says Rogers in the 30-minute interview with PA, "me just being famous for the sake of being famous wasn't enough. I wanted to make an impact on the world, and I wanted to really help people."

While he doesn't like the term celebrity, Rogers says he is embracing it if it means he can use his celebrity for his own good. "What I'm hoping is that my music is so good, that I won't be the HIV guy, but I'll just be this amazing artist who happens to have HIV."

The full interview audio and transcript is now online at www.positivelyaware.com/jamar, including never before seen photos by Los Angeles photographer Matthew Garsteck, shot exclusively for Positively Aware magazine.