News, Updates & Casting Info

Press Release

Written May 10, 2026  By Ethan Scott Grey -

Tonight, I’m sharing something deeply personal with all of you.

My brand-new 12-song album, Finding Myself Again, releases May 11 at 12:00 AM EST on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, and over 150 streaming platforms worldwide.

This album was born from one of the darkest and most painful seasons of my life. After walking away from a 16-year relationship, I completely fell apart. For two solid months, I barely left my bed. I cried constantly. I couldn’t function. I honestly didn’t know how to move forward.

But even in the middle of that pain… I never stopped writing. I wrote books. I wrote lyrics. I wrote every emotion I couldn’t say out loud.

Then one day, a close friend of mine who owns a music studio sent me music from an artist named Greg Duffy. He told me to listen because he thought I’d relate to it. He was right. Something about his music reached me in a way I can’t fully explain. Later, I learned Greg was also an actor, and after watching one of his vertical films alongside Evan Gambardella, something inside me finally woke up. It felt like a voice inside me saying: “Get up.”

And I did.

For those who don’t know, I had walked away from my music and acting career two years earlier trying to save my relationship. In the end, I realized I couldn’t save the relationship without losing myself. So I chose to save myself instead.

Coming back wasn’t easy. When I returned to social media after deleting everything, I was met with silence… and honestly, that silence was deafening. Then after writing a song called Straight Until You Kissed Me as a thank-you gift, I found myself under intense online attacks that pushed me to one of the lowest points of my life. 

During that time, I secretly wrote lyrics for a song then went into the studio and recorded the music tracks for a song called My Final Stand. I soon after recorded the vocals alone and uploaded it back to the studio hard drive. So at the time, I believed this would be the last song I would ever record and this song would be released after my death. Then I tried to take my life.

But somehow… I survived.

Months later, I found healing. I found strength. I found myself again. And this album became the soundtrack of that journey.

The songs on this album tell the entire story:
    1.    The Day I Walked Away
    2.    Finding Me Again
    3.    I Just Want To Feel OK
    4.    I Deserve Better Than Your Sorry
    5.    I’m Not OK
    6.    Fucked Up
    7.    My Final Stand
    8.    I’m Never Going Back
    9.    Wait Till You See Me
    10.    I Want You To Stay
    11.    Will We Be OK
    12.    When A Gay Man Loves Again

One lyric from The Day I Walked Away says:
“Sometimes the healing hurts more than the leaving.”

That line became the heartbeat of this entire album.

If you’ve ever gone through heartbreak… betrayal… depression… loneliness… or the painful process of rebuilding yourself after losing everything… this album is for you.

I’m asking you from the bottom of my heart: when the album drops tonight at midnight EST, please go to your favorite streaming platform and listen. Stream it. Download it. Save it to your library. Add it to your playlists. Share it with someone who needs it. Follow me as an artist. Every single stream, save, share, and download truly means the world to independent artists like me.

This album took me nearly a year to complete, and every song carries pieces of my soul.

Thank you to everyone who stayed. Thank you to everyone who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. And thank you to Greg Duffy and Evan Gambardella for unknowingly helping me find the strength to stand back up and resume both my music and acting career full-time.

This is more than an album.

This is survival.
This is healing.
This is me… finding myself again.

Stay updated with Ethan Scott Grey and his films Straight Until You Kissed Me and From The Moment You Kissed Me

Welcome to our News & Updates page! This is where you'll find the latest information about the feature film "Straight Until You Kissed Me," the inspiring song, and all related events including casting. Join us on this journey as we share our progress, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and exciting announcements. We're thrilled to have you here as part of our growing community!

News: Straight Until You Kissed Me official release of the radio version and the theatrical versions are now available on all major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, You Tube Music, iHeart Radio etc. 

Casting Notice: All casting will be through 800Casting.com

STRAIGHT UNTIL YOU KISSED ME THE FEATURE FILM IS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PREPRODUCTION. CASTING IS PROJECTED TO BEGIN IN THE SUMMER OF 2026. CHECK BACK HERE FOR INFORMATION AND CHANGES OR ON 800CASTING FOR FURTHER DETAILS

PROJECT TITLE: Straight Until You Kissed Me

PROJECT TYPE: Feature Film

GENRE: Romantic Drama / LGBTQ+ Political Romance

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Studio East Film Company

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Ethan Scott Grey

DIRECTOR  (TBA) / WRITER: Ethan Scott Grey

UNION STATUS: Non-Union (open to union talent – TBD)

SHOOT DATES: TBD

SHOOT LOCATION: TBD (U.S.)

COMPENSATION: Paid (rate TBD based on role and experience)

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please submit headshot, resume, and demo reel (if available). Include availability and location.

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PROJECT SYNOPSIS:

A chance encounter between a timid, openly gay political intern and a charismatic, progressive Senate candidate sparks an unexpected romance that challenges identity, faith, ambition, and the cost of living authentically in the public eye.

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🎭 CASTING BREAKDOWN

LEAD ROLE (2nd)

CHRISTIAN “CHRIS” HAYES
    •    Male, 27–32, Caucasian
    •    Height: 5’5”–5’8” preferred
    •    Build: Slim / toned
    •    Role Type: Lead
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
A bright, compassionate political science student and LGBTQ+ advocate. Chris is openly gay, emotionally intuitive, and carries the weight of past trauma while still holding onto hope. His journey is one of self-worth, courage, and falling deeply in love for the first time.

Performance Notes:
Must have strong emotional range (vulnerability, humor, romantic intimacy, anxiety). This role requires comfort with same-sex romantic scenes including kissing, physical closeness and brief nudity.

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SUPPORTING ROLES

AMANDA
    •    Female, 35–50, Caucasian
    •    Role Type: Supporting
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Sharp, efficient campaign manager. Quick-witted, observant, and fiercely protective of the candidate and campaign. Has a grounded, slightly maternal energy with strong comedic timing.

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SLOANE
    •    Female, 30–40, Caucasian
    •    Role Type: Supporting
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Polished but bitter antagonist with a personal history tied to the candidate. Intelligent, calculated, and emotionally manipulative. Drives major conflict in the story.

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REVEREND BAKER
    •    Male, 50–70, African American preferred
    •    Role Type: Supporting
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Respected community leader with a commanding presence. Warm, powerful speaker who introduces the candidate at a major campaign event.

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DAY PLAYER / FEATURED ROLES

CAFÉ OWNER
    •    Any gender, 40–60, Caucasian
    •    Role Type: Day Player
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Protective and assertive café owner who intervenes during a tense confrontation.

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BARISTA
    •    Any gender, 18–30, any ethnicity
    •    Role Type: Day Player
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Background café worker; adds tone and realism to opening scenes.

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BIGOT #1
    •    Male, 35–60, Caucasian
    •    Role Type: Day Player
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Primary aggressor. Intimidating, hostile, and verbally abusive.

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BIGOT #2
    •    Male, 30–55, Caucasian
    •    Role Type: Day Player
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Loud, confrontational, escalates tension physically.

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BIGOT #3
    •    Male, 30–55, Caucasian
    •    Role Type: Day Player
    •    Rate: Paid (TBD)

Description:
Follows the lead of others; volatile and aggressive.

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BACKGROUND / EXTRAS

CAFÉ PATRONS
    •    All genders, 18–65, diverse ethnicities
    •    Students, activists, LGBTQ+ couples

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CAMPAIGN STAFFERS
    •    All genders, 20–50, diverse
    •    Energetic political volunteers and staff

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EVENT ATTENDEES (BALLROOM / RALLY)
    •    All genders, 25–70, diverse
    •    Donors, supporters, press

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RESTAURANT PATRONS
    •    All genders, 25–65
    •    Upscale, professional types

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BAR / NIGHTLIFE CROWD
    •    All genders, 21–50
    •    Urban nightlife atmosphere

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GENERAL CITY EXTRAS
    •    Pedestrians, drivers, background realism

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ADDITIONAL NOTES
    •    Strong on-screen chemistry is essential for lead roles.
    •    Must be comfortable with LGBTQ+ themes and romantic content.
    •    Naturalistic acting style preferred (grounded, cinematic, emotionally real).
    •    Improvisation ability is a plus.
    •    Diversity is strongly encouraged in all roles.

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