Mad Tsai

Mad Tsai (born Jonathan Tsai) is an American singer-songwriter and social media personality. Of Taiwanese and Peruvian descent, Tsai gained recognition through the short-video platform TikTok under the handle @madsteaparty. His music explores themes of queerness, adolescence, and self-identity, often blending elements of pop, bedroom pop, and alternative music. thumb|Like boy biGirl, hiNew guyI'm bi?I cry every timeI try to decide Quotes That boy might be the worst, but damn, he looks fine. "Boys Beware" (2024), written by Andrew Luce, Drew Polovick, Jonathan Tsai Like boy biGirl, hiNew guyI'm bi?I cry every timeI try to decide "Boy Bi" (2020), written by Elie Jay Rizk, Joseph Kelleher, Jonathan Tsai I guess you're right, I'm bi just without the sexualI'm too scared to date so I've just been by myselfLike I'm watching a Disney movie and I slowly start to sweatIs it Jasmine's dancing or Aladdin's open vest?Oh, it sucks sometimes to be right in the in-betweenI'm too gay for girls, too straight to be a drag queenI'm just playing, I'm just saying, I'd like to be clearI don't know what the hell is going on here "Boy Bi" (2020), written by Elie Jay Rizk, Joseph Kelleher, Jonathan Tsai VOA: How does it feel when you release music in general? Personally, I feel like when an artist exposes their work it’s like revealing their soul to the public. I have major respect for that, and I’m curious, how do you feel when you put your music out there for people to judge? Mad Tsai: Being an artist, as a person who is an artist, I think is genuinely terrifying. You never really know what the reception will be until you put the song out and it’s out in the world. And I think that’s a really terrifying aspect of just being an artist or being creative in general. You never know if it’s going to hit well with your audience or not. You have to just keep remembering that, at the end of the day, if you make art for yourself, that’s really all that matters, and you can’t please everybody.I used to be in this state of mind that I had to please everybody and make songs that everyone would like, which is virtually impossible. Not 100 percent of people are going to love what you do, but you have to remember that there’s a niche for everything. As long as you’re doing what you love, people will gravitate toward that. As quoted by View of the Arts, "Queer Voices in Pop: The Rise of Mad Tsai – Exclusive Interview" (23 February 2025) I’ve always been a very introverted person. People make the mistake of assuming that I’m extroverted based on my music and online personality. But I like to keep to myself. I’m pretty reserved and a bit of a hermit. I’ve always operated that way. It has also given me a unique way of operating through life as an observer. “No One’s Son” is a bit more inquisitive about myself and what’s happening in my life. If you think about vampires existing for thousands of years, it gets lonely. You become more hardened and cold. That was an inspiration for it. It’s like a biblical allegory of being no one’s son, talking about your own journey, which is very akin to the queer experience, and figuring things out alone and not knowing how to love or relate to people in some ways. You see people expressing love and affection, but it’s not the same way you do it. [Queer] people who didn’t grow up with other queer friends or a community, it can be very isolating. As quoted by Laura Sirikul, "Mad Tsai Wants You To Sink Your Teeth Into His New EP, ‘CANINES’", Forbes (1 August 2026) Quotes about Tsai The 24-year-old Chinese-Taiwanese-Peruvian artist knows he started as an experimental, alternative indie pop-rock singer, known for his popular songs “stacy’s brother” and “all-american bitch!,” but now is ready for his pop star era. It doesn’t mean he’s not going to try other genres. He is just ready to celebrate his love for dance and hyper-pop. As a fan of pop (and K-pop), he realizes he’s not limited to just being stuck to one genre or sound or concept. He can have fun with a variety of them. Laura Sirikul, "Mad Tsai Wants You To Sink Your Teeth Into His New EP, ‘CANINES’", Forbes (1 August 2026) Mad Tsai has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in modern pop, using his music to explore identity, queerness, and the emotional turbulence of coming-of-age. His songs often subvert the traditional narratives of high school romance and self-discovery, reshaping them from a queer perspective that challenges heteronormative ideals. Through his storytelling, Mad Tsai creates a space where queer experiences bring visibility to those who have long been sidelined. With a keen sense of humour and an ear for catchy melodies, his work connects with listeners who have felt like outsiders in their own stories. His latest single, One of the Boys, challenges the notion that masculinity defines acceptance within the LGBTQIA+ community. Through sharp lyricism and unapologetic pride, the song reclaims the phrase from those who use it to distance themselves from femininity, turning it into a bold celebration of queer identity. View of the Arts, "Queer Voices in Pop: The Rise of Mad Tsai – Exclusive Interview" (23 February 2025) The struggles of queer individuals, including in the United States, remain deeply entrenched in systemic discrimination, cultural stigma, and political hostility. While progress has been made, with LGBTQIA+ artists achieving mainstream success and bringing greater acceptance, challenges persist. The rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, the policing of queer and trans bodies, and the persistent attacks on self-expression shows the fragility of these gains. Globally, the landscape is even more fractured, with many countries still criminalising queerness, silencing voices before they have the chance to be heard. Music, as a universal language, is a lifeline in such an environment – artists like Mad Tsai offer comfort, validation, and strength to those traversing hostile spaces. View of the Arts, "Queer Voices in Pop: The Rise of Mad Tsai – Exclusive Interview" (23 February 2025) External links Category:Singer-songwriters from the United States Category:People from California Category:LGBT people Category:Pop singers Category:YouTubers Category:2001 births Category:Living people