Biografia
Born on December 19, 1985, in Kalispell, Montana, Shane Bitney Crone grew up with the nickname "Motor Mouth," a fitting title given his recent viral YouTube video that has garnered nearly three million views. The video is a heartfelt documentary honoring his late partner and great love, Tom Bridegroom, and highlights the many injustices Shane faced after Tom's passing. This powerful mini-documentary has inspired millions worldwide to support Shane's fight for marriage equality.
From an early age, Shane used his strong voice to champion meaningful causes, motivating others through his talents and actions. In Montana, he frequently performed at the Missoula Children's Theater International Performing Arts Camp. During high school, his community involvement earned him the Student of the Year award for leadership.
To fund his dream of moving to Los Angeles after graduation, Shane worked part-time jobs. With his savings and possessions packed in his car, he set off for California, unemployed but driven by ambition and a strong work ethic.
In 2005, Shane met Tom Bridegroom. Committed to each other and their shared success, they launched a social media and public relations company called Bridegroom and Bitney in 2008. Focusing on emerging music artists, they helped clients secure record deals, perform at national sporting events, and gain international exposure through their social media expertise.
Shane later secured a role at Entertainment Tonight as a production assistant and was promoted to talent coordinator.
Tragedy struck in 2011 when Tom died in a devastating accident, turning Shane's life upside down. As a form of healing, Shane created the viral video to honor Tom's memory. This project helped him rediscover his voice and purpose. He has since dedicated himself to advocating for marriage equality, appearing on CNN, ABC, E! News, and various radio shows. Shane has contributed guest posts to GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, The Advocate, and The Huffington Post. His speaking engagements have expanded globally, including an invitation to Amsterdam Pride as an international guest of honor. Shane partnered with Linda Bloodworth Thomason, creator of Designing Women and director/producer of the acclaimed Man from Hope, to produce a documentary about his and Tom's life together and the aftermath of Tom's death. After raising over $300,000 through Kickstarter, the film, titled Bridegroom: A Love Story Unequaled, is currently in production.
