X-Factor Winner Joe McElderry: I'm Gay
Joe McElderry, who won Britain's X-Factor last year, has come out of the closet.
"The 19-year-old X Factor winner made the brave decision to come out in an emotional interview with the Mirror, just a week after telling his mum. Joe has always denied rumours he was gay, but insisted the reason was he didn’t know himself until recently. He added: 'I’ve had time to think about things. I wasn’t attracted to anyone anyway, male or female. It never really entered my head I was gay. But I just know. It’s how I feel.' ... But the 19-year-old has now bravely decided to tell the world he is gay – and the denials were down to the fact he never knew himself, until three weeks ago. And he said he is comfortable with his decision to come out publicly, declaring: 'I’m happy. I now know who I am.'"
McElderry says he is not in a relationship:
"I’m single, I’ve not had a relationship with a boy, but I just know. It’s how I feel. The Twitter thing actually helped because I realised I wasn’t that bothered, and the penny dropped...I’m not worried about how fans will react. They have always said they’ll back me no matter what. Everyone’s been really kind so I would like to thank them and your readers for all the support."
Watch McElderry duet with George Michael on last year's final, AFTER THE JUMP...
this is a nice sweet story.
Posted by: rjp3 | Jul 31, 2010 9:10:07 AM
When you grow up in a small town, sometimes Gay seems so Other that you just can't assent to it, and it doesn't even cross your mind that what you're feeling towards some "best friends" is something in addition to friendly love. It usually takes something like this to remove you from your situation and give you other perspectives on homosexuality, along with a first and second time sexual experience, to really understand what's going on. You may not realize why all those girl-dates weren't disasters but weren't fireworks either, or what all the big deal is about sex and romance, etc. But, sorry to be crude, you get that first dick in your mouth, and that man-touch on your starved body, and upon further introspection it begins to dawn upon you what's going on, and that Gay doesn't have to be Other, but is in fact You as well. Maybe you go through some stages of grief, but hopefully you make it through them all, and then begin to tell others.
Many blessings to this super-cutie, I didn't know I was gay until I was 19 either, and may his catch-up "slut phase" be fun and safe!
Posted by: Clint | Jul 31, 2010 10:57:23 AM
this guy is HOT as hell, hmmmm
Posted by: Michael | Jul 31, 2010 10:58:41 AM
You go Joe! Mama always knew....
Posted by: Dave | Jul 31, 2010 11:39:27 AM
This is funny. I had never heard of the kid until seeing him mentioned here, and my first reaction was, "Looks like Donny Osmond." Lo and behold, he's a Mormon! What, do they all come out of the same injection molding factory that produces their temples?
Posted by: Commenter | Jul 31, 2010 11:43:09 AM
Commenter - he's not a Mormon.
Posted by: Chris | Jul 31, 2010 12:15:39 PM
David Archuleta was by all accounts not a natural when it came to interviews and the press during his Idol days, and sometimes came off as slightly dim-witted. But that has changed rather drastically in the past two years.
David is not, in fact, retarded-level anything. He is actually an incredibly bright guy who, at age 19, has already taken over much of the business management of his own career (he released his father from his management team about six months ago).
As for his sexuality, well, it's pure speculation at this point. He is deeply religious, and having an LDS upbringing is likely to create massive issues for anyone with anything other than the most heterosexual, marriage-minded orientation.
Posted by: rascal | Jul 31, 2010 12:59:31 PM
I'm glad Joe came out now and is finding some peace, but I feel for him, too. He's doing this in the full glare of the spotlight. I almost wish he would have given himself some time to settle with it privately before rushing to the press.
As for Archuleta, I don't follow his career. But during the whole "Idol" thing he just struck me as a typical showbiz kid, like a child beauty queen, groomed from birth to be in the spotlight. Sure he's comfortable onstage, so was a young Michael Jackson. He knows how to deal with the press and he's got his shtick down because he doesn't do anything else that "normal" kids do. That's his programming. I'm curious to see what happens after he ages out of the teen-idol phase.
Posted by: FilmTurtle | Jul 31, 2010 1:27:26 PM
@CLINT - BINGO!
Could NOT have said it better myself!
Your explanation describes my coming out experience to a "T".
When you grow up in rural Mississippi, especially when I did, the ONLY representations of gay people you get all negative and very frightening. You realize that you are attracted to males but you don't associate it with all of the horrific things that you were taught "gay" is.
Posted by: TampaZeke | Jul 31, 2010 1:38:43 PM
I was also 19 before I realized I was gay. It would have been longer if my stepbrother and a friend hadn't come out to me first. After that, it started me thinking who was I attracted to. But of course years later I can look back & see I was different my entire life. Kids today at least have more role models and exposure than I did waaaay back then.
Posted by: Dee Jay | Jul 31, 2010 2:35:02 PM
Boy he's short.
Posted by: wonderer | Jul 31, 2010 2:41:36 PM
I'm not a fan of X Factor, and the reason is that I haven't forgiven the producers for effectively killing Pop Idol without exploring options of sustaining it beyond two seasons, while letting other Idol shows run rampant. That's why I haven't been a fan of the likes of Leona Lewis or Alexandra Burke. Nor will I likely be a fan of the American version due to air next year. Part of me feels bad for the original Pop Idol, Will Young, because to an extent, he made it possible for them and countless others to have their moments in the sun, but he doesn't get any credit or respect.
Off my soapbox now. Good for Joe McElderry.
Posted by: Alex Sarmiento | Jul 31, 2010 8:53:55 PM
well done Joe congratulations lovely guy and talent too, every success man
Posted by: David Carpenter | Aug 1, 2010 5:44:53 PM
There goes your career in a trash can. Kids try to identify who they are when puberty starts. He is one confused kid, still. X-factor was a joke in his season, and there is not a high chance he will be a successful artist with the weak vocal. It will be interesting to see how much Simon Cowell spends money on him. Prob. not as much as Simon Fuller has wasted money on Lambert b/c Joe is not scandalous and just a kid. Lambert is a fame whore who is good at keeping his name in gossips.
Posted by: jackie | Aug 1, 2010 6:36:12 PM
I think Joe is really brave coming out that early in his musiclife, and may I say, I'm sure David Archuleta is gay too, but he can't get out of the closet, because of the mormonthing, what a shame :((((( Now I know a lot of American people will be mad at me, but I think David is amazing, I saw and meet him in Oxford last year :)))))) And Joe is amazing too, I will love to hear him live :))))) super coming out....
Posted by: TinaDK | Aug 2, 2010 5:36:03 AM
Sorry Ravewulf! Year-and-a-half? He won't even look at you! Better get used to age discrimination in the gay community, kid.
Posted by: anon | Aug 2, 2010 1:10:57 PM
Joe, welcome to the club! I wish you much success and happiness. I can't wait to hear more of your wonderful music.
Posted by: Fred | Aug 3, 2010 11:22:54 PM