'Voice' Singer Celebrates Health, Album Release

He made it to the semifinals in season two of NBC's "The Voice" and is preparing for the release of his first album in July — and now New Yorker Jamar Rogers also is serving as an advocate for diagnostic testing through Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a company with its headquarters on Route 202 in Raritan.

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is one of seven franchises as part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Device and Diagnostic Companies that provides products to health-care providers to help them make treatment decisions quickly. It provides donor screening and blood testing products and helps to improve patient care.

Rogers, 31, is one of the faces of the new "Results Matter" campaign through the diagnostics company, which is putting a focus on the people taking the tests, rather than the machines that do the tests.

"These people are saving lives on a daily basis," he said.

Rogers was on hand for the global kick-off of the campaign Thursday — though it will officially begin in May — and he premiered a song called "Where Would I Be Without You" from his upcoming album.

"I wrote the song for my fans after 'The Voice' to thank them for supporting me," he said. "But it makes sense now because these people devote their lives to making sure people live."

For Rogers, that statement rings true — without the type of blood testing equipment that the company provides, he might not have survived either.

"I didn't understand the significance of machines that test blood," he said. "But that's how I found out I had HIV."

Rogers said he was a reckless teenager, was homeless for a while, and did drugs, particularly crystal meth, for years. One day, he was really sick and he went to the hospital, thinking it was related to the drugs.

In the emergency room, Rogers said, the doctors tested his blood and made the HIV diagnosis.

"I could have died if I had waited a week," he said.

And now, Rogers is an advocate for getting those blood tests done.

"If you are unaware you are facing a life-threatening disease, you need to know," he said. "I encourage people who are afraid to find out something negative [to take the tests]. It is so simple, about taking care of your health."

After his stint on "The Voice," Rogers was contacted by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics to be an advocate for the work they do, and he was quick to jump in to help.

In addition, Rogers said, the company has a "Know Your Numbers" program, which is all about the information people get from the blood tests, and how they can change their lives to live healthier based on their numbers.

"It empowers you to ask your doctor and make an action plan for what changes to make for a healthier and longer life," he said. "I see a doctor and keep with my plan. I am careful about what I eat, get enough rest, exercise."

And now, with his HIV undetected for six years so far, Rogers can work on his burgeoning music career and advocacy.

Though he sang his first solo in a school function when he was 6 years old — when he discovered he liked to hear people clap for him—and grew up singing in church, it wasn't until about six years ago that Rogers finally decided to give singing a try.

"After high school, I got wild," he said. "But after I stopped using meth when I was 25, I decided I love singing."

"And I decided three years ago to jump into it," he added. "I stopped my last 9-to-5 job and said I want to sing."

Rogers did the cattle call for the second season of "The Voice," standing in line outside the Izod Center in East Rutherford, and soon found himself on Cee-Lo Green's team for the competition.

"I love Cee-Lo," he said. "I bought his music 10 years ago. I never thought I would have his phone number in my phone."

While on "The Voice," Rogers said, he learned from his coach about internalizing lyrics and making them his own no matter who wrote them, as well as how to control his own nerves on stage.

"He taught me the importance of being myself," he said. "I have my own unique gift and the ability to show it."

And now, Rogers is preparing for the July 30 release of his album "Phoenix" with all songs he wrote. He said he considers his music to be old spirituals with a modern theme, kind of a "Mumford and Sons meets Sam Cooke."

"It's soul music at its heart," he said.

Although he said he understands not everyone can relate to his particular story, Rogers said there is an overall theme in his songs, which he cites as being very autobiographical.

"Who can't relate to making bad choices?" he said. "You can make better decisions to change your life."

With his album number one on his list of what's ahead, Rogers said he also is looking forward to an upcoming trip this month to South Africa, where he will be talking to young people with HIV.

"Because I was on American TV, I'm considered a celebrity there," he said. "But a lot of celebrities don't go to Africa. [Going there] encourages them. I say they may not have the resources, but they can learn to care for themselves."

Rogers said he wants to send a message that more medications need to be sent to Africa, and that an HIV diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence.

"Because I feel great, I want to let people know this is not a death sentence anymore," he said. "It's not 1983."

Through all this, Rogers said he hopes to continue working with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, and serving as an advocate.

"Everyone likes to hear thank you," he said. "These are everyday people doing extraordinary things. They are saving lives, and it means a lot to show my gratitude."

And Rogers will continue to focus on his music and push forward on his passion.

"Music is the great connector," he said. "It doesn't matter what background, language, religion."

"Music is the healthiest form of expression and a good creative outlet for me," he added. "Music has saved my life."