Gay Country Singer Speaks Out About 'Ex-Gay' Therapy Past

Steve Grand, the handsome openly gay country singer who has become an overnight Internet sensation this week after posting the music video for his single "All-American Boy" on YouTube, spoke to ABC News on Tuesday about his recent success and how he underwent controversial reparative therapy growing up.

Grand's pop-country ballad "All-American Boy" has propelled Grand 22 into the media spotlight and, as of this writing, has been viewed over 646,000 on YouTube and spurred the interest of the national media. In a recent interview with ABC News, Grand revealed how he was forced to undergo conversion therapy as a teen.

After coming out to friends in the eighth grade, Grand's parents enrolled him in "straight therapy," which he attended five years.

"I felt like I was really a shame to my parents, and I felt like there was no way I could ever make them proud," Grand said. "I felt like I was a constant disappointment."

Grand, who has stated that music is an outlet for him, says that he wrote "All-American Boy" from a "pure genuine place of my soul."

"It's not about being gay," Grand added. "It's about longing. It's about that longing for someone."

Watch the music video for "All-American Boy" below:

According to Grand, an underwear model and church musician, the music video cost $7,000 and was self-produced. Apparently, his large purchase has quickly paid off, as he's received hundreds of messages on YouTube and Facebook from fans lauding the video.

Surprisingly, despite his past experiences in reparative therapy, his parents are even proud of him.

"I'm so moved by my mom. She said, 'You're touching so many people, and you're doing a really beautiful thing and I love you so much and am proud of you,'" Grand said.

Taken aback by his overnight success, Grand himself, appears to be surprised by how well the video has been received, stating on his Facebook page,"This whole thing has been so overwhelming for me and has made me very emotional... but mostly I am just grateful for all of you who are reaching out and showing your support. thank you."

Watch ABC News' report on the singer below: