Michael Maimone’s album is a love letter to his late husband…
By Shane Gallagher
Photos by Scott E Schwimmer
This summer, singer-songwriter Michael Maimone will release Guess What? I Love You, a deeply personal album honouring his late husband, PR guru Howard Bragman. Known for his work with celebrities like Anna Kendrick, Cameron Diaz, Stevie Wonder and Joe Manganiello, Bragman was also a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He played a crucial role in helping stars such as Meredith Baxter, Sheryl Swoopes and Chely Wright navigate their public coming-out journeys, using his influence to make the world a more inclusive place before he died as a result of leukemia in 2023.
The story behind Guess What? I Love You is one of profound love, loss and healing. Just one day after their wedding, Maimone held his husband as Bragman took his final breath. Grief-stricken but determined to honour their love, Maimone turned to music as his refuge, channelling his sorrow, memories and devotion into an album that captures the depths of their connection. Each song is a reflection of their journey together, a raw and heartfelt exploration of what it means to love someone so deeply and then to lose them.
The album unfolds like a two-act play. The first half celebrates the magic of their relationship – the excitement of their long-distance courtship, their spontaneous adventures, and the joy of finding each other later in life. One of the standout tracks, “Big Kiss,” was inspired by a road trip the couple took through the southwestern United States. The song, releasing this month, captures the beauty of their love while also touching on the hesitation that still exists for same-sex couples who are showing affection in public. “We always held hands wherever we went, but we joked about how kissing in public sometimes still felt like making a political statement,” Maimone recalls.
More than just a love song, “Big Kiss” serves as a powerful tribute to Bragman’s legacy as a champion for LGBTQ+ rights. Through his work with organizations like APLA and GLAAD, Bragman helped countless people live openly and proudly. Says Maimone, “Releasing the track during Pride season felt like the perfect way to carry on Howard’s message and remind the world that love should always be celebrated without fear.”
The album’s second half shifts into the painful reality of Bragman’s illness, his rapid decline, and Maimone’s grief. Some of the hardest songs to write were “Helpless” and “So Hard to Let Go,” with Maimone admitting that he often broke down in tears during the process. “Without that catharsis, I’m not sure how I would’ve survived,” he says.
The album weaves Bragman’s presence into its fabric in hauntingly beautiful ways – through actual voicemails, direct quotes from their text messages, and recordings that make it feel as if he’s still speaking to Maimone. The final track, “Waiting in the Light,” fades out rather than ending definitively, reinforcing the idea that their love story – though altered – continues beyond this life.
Maimone has found solace in the support of the LGBTQ+ community, receiving messages from people who knew Bragman or were touched by his work. The shared memories, stories and outpouring of love have become a source of strength, reminding Maimone that while Bragman is gone, his impact remains. But Bragman’s influence goes beyond grief: it gave Maimone the courage to fully embrace his artistic identity. Before meeting Bragman, Maimone had been in a restrictive relationship that stifled his creativity, but Bragman encouraged him to live authentically, both personally and professionally.
One defining moment came when Bragman filmed a playful video of Maimone stepping out of the shower and suggested he post it on social media. To Maimone’s surprise, the post went viral, leading to a surge in Patreon subscribers and ultimately providing Maimone with the financial stability to focus on his music career.
At its core, Guess What? I Love You is a testament to the power of love – the kind that transforms, heals and endures even in the face of loss. “Losing Howard was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced,” Maimone reflects. “But every second we had together was worth it. We lived with no barriers, no secrets, no limitations. And as much as it still hurts, I would do it all over again just to have more time with him.”
He takes comfort in knowing exactly how Bragman would react to the album. “He would sing along in his perfectly imperfect way and tell everyone, ‘My man didn’t just write a song for me – he wrote me a whole album!’”
Maimone’s journey of love and loss doesn’t end with this album. He has also written a memoir, set for release this fall, offering a deeper look at his and Bragman’s love story, the pain of losing him, and the ongoing journey towards healing.
For more information, visit mikemaimone.com.
SHANE GALLAGHER is a long-time Manhattan resident who now resides in Tampa, Florida. He shares his home and life with his two cats, Milo and Snickers, and he recently joined a gay soccer league.
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