Jakub Chmelar Finds His Voice in “Speechless”

Jakub Chmelar’s debut single, “Speechless,” is not just a song. It is a revelation. Born from a moment of quiet heartbreak and a long history of self-silencing, the track unfolds like a personal uprising. It is haunting, honest, and deeply necessary. Chmelar, an actor and artist originally from the Czech Republic, delivers this musical theater-influenced pop ballad with aching vulnerability.

What makes “Speechless” so compelling is its shift from reflection to resistance. The track begins softly, a gentle unraveling of years spent conforming, but grows into a powerful anthem of reclamation. It captures the emotional toll of invisibility, then flips it into something unshakably proud. Released during Pride Month 2025, “Speechless” arrives with a sense of urgency. The music video amplifies the message, featuring powerful imagery like anti-LGBTQ+ legislation scrawled across Chmelar’s body. Every frame is deliberate.

Every detail is layered with meaning. From soft lighting that mirrors vulnerability to fierce choreography that embodies defiance, the visual makes the personal political. Vocally, Chmelar delivers with clarity and emotional weight. There is no need for theatrics. His voice is the protest.

The line “I didn’t know how quiet I had become” hits especially hard, speaking to the silent compromises many queer people make to survive. What elevates “Speechless” beyond a debut is its scope. It is a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community, a warning to those who still seek to erase queer voices, and a reminder that authenticity is not a weakness. It is strength.

Jakub Chmelar does not require permission for this release. He reclaims space with grace and fire. “Speechless” is a song that will resonate long after Pride. It is a mirror for those still finding their voice and a megaphone for those ready to use it.

“Speechless” is such a personal debut. Was there a specific moment that pushed you to write this song finally?

It was during a trip to London. As I walked through the streets, a sentence kept repeating in my head: I was left speechless, but I was ready to speak. That phrase stayed with me. I realized how much the place I lived in was shaping me, shaping my personality, and forcing me to suppress the core of who I truly am. It became a turning point. I became aware of how censored I had become in terms of self-expression, and I knew something had to change.

When I got back home from that trip, I wrote the lyrics. At first, I did not intend to release them as a song. It was more of a personal release as I put my thoughts on paper. But that sentence kept echoing in my head. I kept going back and forth on whether to share it or not.

Then came the moment that decided for me. I read an article about Donald Trump taking over a museum space, which led to an LGBTQ+ artist’s exhibition being canceled. It felt like a direct attack. Not just on that artist but on all of us in the LGBTQ+ community. On me, as an artist. That was it. I knew I had to release Speechless. As the lyrics say, “I won’t be speechless anymore.” I refused to stay silent. I refused to be censored or erased.

Can you walk us through the symbolism in the music video, especially the legislative references?

Although the song and video can resonate with many people, Speechless was created specifically for my LGBTQ+ community, and that is reflected in every visual choice. It is a journey from censorship to liberation, from silence to expression.

The entire video uses the colors of the rainbow. If you look closely, each sequence includes a different shade from the Pride flag. One strong image is me inside a black-and-white television. That represents the way media filters us, restricts our stories, and tries to define how we are seen. Even in that space, I begin to break out and transition into full color.

The most powerful moment is when bill numbers are written across my chest. These are real anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been proposed or passed in the United States. They are direct attacks on our rights and our existence. Including them was my way of saying, “You can try to erase us, but I am still here.” I will not be erased. I will not be silenced. I will not be speechless. That moment ties directly to why I wrote the song in the first place.

How has your background in musical theater influenced your approach to songwriting?

It shaped everything, especially my vocal style. For a long time, I was trying to fit into a mainstream pop sound. I was creating music that I thought would work better on the radio, but it never felt authentic to me. I was creating for the sake of creating, not from a place of truth.

Musical theater taught me the importance of storytelling through song. It helped me find what suits my voice, not just technically but emotionally. Once I leaned into that, everything changed. I found my sound and my voice. The music became more meaningful, and it started connecting with people on a deeper level.

What has been the most meaningful reaction you’ve received since the release?

There have been so many beautiful responses, and I carry each of them in my heart. But the one I will never forget was the very first message I received. It was from a transgender woman in Australia, someone I had never met. She told me that Speechless was exactly what she needed to hear that day. And I cried.

That moment meant everything to me. From the beginning, my goal was simple. If this song could help just one person, then I would feel like I did my job. That message confirmed it. It reminded me that real change happens step by step. Helping one person at a time can truly make a difference in the world. At that moment, I felt like I had not only found my voice but had also helped give someone else theirs.

What do you hope queer listeners feel when they hear “Speechless” for the first time?

I hope it gives them the voice they need. It gives us the visibility we deserve and the courage to keep pushing for a better future. Most of all, it reminds them that they are not alone. Being seen, being heard, and being unapologetically yourself is a kind of power no one can take away.