Appearing on author Bret Easton Ellis’ podcast Monday, Passion Pit frontman Michael Angelakos spoke candidly about a number of difficult topics, from being diagnosed bipolar to struggling with authentic identity in the music industry. He also discussed his marriage and subsequent divorce last year, telling Ellis that he is, in fact, gay.
“It’s always been about putting it off in my head — not consciously,” the 28-year-old told Ellis. “I just wanted so badly to be straight, because I love her so much. I think that was one of the most painful things when we decided to separate.”
“Specifically with my sexuality, it was just, unlike bipolar, ‘Don’t get help. Don’t talk to anyone,’” he also said. “I lived in such a straight group of people. Not like anyone wasn’t going to be understanding, it was not the time…This was dudes in bands talking about girls. It was just so easy at the time to talk about girls. I just kept writing about them. It was like the music was then again informing … I was going through so many difficult issues with girls in general that when I started dating my wife she just quieted them so much so. She was such a good friend. It became kind of a non-issue.”
His discussion of sexuality begins around the 49-minute mark:
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Grant Mealey
Cool, welcome
Matthew David Thompson
Justin Murphy
Drew Harry Nazarian
BREAKING NEWS: WATER IS CONFIRMED AS WET
Shanghaikid43
Wow. This actually surprised me. I’m a huge fan of his music, and for some reason never really suspected. I’ve always found him insanely attractive. Happy for him.
Michael Golojuch Jr
Who? Congrats
Jamie Blue
Shit Kyle Frederick, I was just going to post this to Robert Avalos page!
Marky
Sweet, a non-athletic, non-model, talented musician comes out. A real person to boot. Isn’t it great when they have the looks AND the /brain/ as opposed to being some IQ-90 lawnmower-man in a speedo… or some vapid brat like that bug-eyed Sam Smith thing. Finally, someone I can read about–and actually give more then three tenths of a shit about it while doing so.
Stache99
Cool except I wish he didn’t do it with that assholes Bret Easton Ellis.
Tony Capaldi
Jonathan Plum
Ives Meagher
OH NO!…..who is he?
Andres Ruiz
That’s awesome, great musician
Brian Seymour
Check him out on you tube good voice! Welcome!
Rayce Callard O'Connell
wait, this is new?
Noel Hoklin
Another great friend to have!
Milton Appleby
Luff Passion Pti. This is great news. Like many men he’s had to struggle and come to terms with his sexuality. Welcome and continue to share your music with us!
Glenn Silva
Who?
Blackceo
No clue who he is but glad it sounds like he has found some peace.
Avery Alvarez
I just heard of Passion Pit this year when their new album was suggested to me on Itunes. I really like it. Catchy songs.
Congrats to him!
Masc Pride
Seems like he could’ve just been out along since no one seems to know who he is. lol
lauraspencer
Sometimes I say “who???” just to be bitchy. But in this case I honestly mean it. Who? What does he sing? I have never heard of him or seen him? Does he have a top 40 hit?
William Pech Dominguez
One more for our all-star team! Hooray!
Brandon Humphries
Wait what?! Yes!
alphacentauri
Nobody should be surprised by this.
mcdfishfilla
Awesome. Saw these guys a few times live and enjoy there music. Hope he finds his path.
stranded
“I lived in such a straight group of people. Not like anyone wasn’t going to be understanding, it was not the time…”
I think a lot of us can relate to that. That was basically high school and the first couple of years in college. You really have to branch out and be around gay people to truly understand who you are and how you self identify.
Also i have no idea who he is, but damn he’s cute. Now if only Brandon Flowers can come to the same conclusion…
Stupid
@lauraspencer: @lauraspencer: Saying “who?” to be bitchy? How terribly charming and clever! So you don’t know who he is? Well, my dear, he doesn’t know who you are either, so you have that in common already!… You know, in cases like this, you could just decide that this subject doesn’t apply to you and move on to the next thing. Or you could use Google and discover some of the band’s music videos (with 20 million views — you could’ve saved yourself from looking terribly out of touch with modern music). Maybe you would’ve found some music you liked, or maybe not, but saying nothing is recommendable in cases like this. I say this to be helpful.
Stupid
@Glenn Silva: Passion Pit frontman Michael Angelakos, honey. It says that right in the title. Is it time for your medicine?
Pistolo
I’m worried about him. That is some deep, deep, intense self-rejection. Can you imagine? Why would you want so desperately to run from yourself? Sounds very painful.
Drew Doval
Tony Cubillas
lykeitiz
@stranded: Don’t hold your breath waiting for Brandon Flowers. He’s a devout LDS member (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints), the same cult that’s in the news right now for refusing to baptize the children of same-sex couples.
Flowers, his wife, & their 3 kids are used in promo vidoes for their “church”.
Not that I think you’re wrong, but being in that environment can kind of slow down the coming out process.
Rimmington
No such thing as bisexual and no such thing as bipolar. There is gay and moody however. But he’s cute whoever he is.
tdh1980
It’s commonly the case that I either don’t know or never have heard of any of these people before Queerty reports their coming out, but greater visibility is the aim. Therefore, if revealing and living the personal truths of who they are helps others to do the same, then it’s a win all around.
CWM85
Knew you were gay but got married to a woman? Not so cool. But at least he accepts himself now…
lauraspencer
@Stupid:
You do realize that blogs are built for commenting? Comments aren’t always positive.
Glad he came out, but I have never heard of him. I just asked people in my office who are 23 and 28 and they don’t know him either.
I cold have googled him to learn more, but honestly I didn’t want to. So on your advice I looked him up. If you are a fan of Yoko Ono (which I’m not) I’m sure people will like him. Just because he came out doesn’t mean I want to buy his music. I will stick with with Mariah, Toni, Madonna, Taylor, etc.
Stupid
@lauraspencer: You do realize that “Who?” isn’t a comment? Comments say something. “Who?” is, rather, an admission that you have nothing to say, and that you might have better spent your time doing something else. Now that you have listened to his music, you can make a comment about it. You’ve even added a “congratulations” to the man for coming out. This greatly improves the discussion. I say bravo.
stranded
@lykeitiz: Wow, had no idea. thanks for the info.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
I enjoyed the entire BEE podcast, certainly food for thought, his position much more nuanced than his twitter antics and the gay hysteric’s reactions would have you believe. Not that I agree with him 100%.
As much as the SJW narcissistic cultural moment is annoying as hell and counterproductive, much more disturbing and dangerous are the forces of reaction who practically trademarked “SJW” as insult. Particularly depressing is the increasing popularity of the Alt Right and its culturally diffused emanations serving as hip countercurrent to progressivism… and the bad guys are winning the argument …to the point were the very words…very notion.. of “social justice” is beginning to set to grate otherwise decent teeth. Now THAT is “problematic” …for anyone interested in a more just society — as any decent human should be. We need to start shutting down the clowns on both extremes.
As much as the SJW Narcissistic Cultural Moment is annoying as hell and counterproductive, much more disturbing and dangerous are the forces of reaction who practically trademarked “SJW” as insult. Particularly so considering the increasing popularity of the Alternative Right and its culturally diffused hip emanations as a countercurrent to progressive …to the point were the very concept of “social justice” is beginning to set to grate otherwise decent teeth grateI fear the bad guys will win in the end by underhanded means As someone interested in a more just society — as any decent human should be — I’m in a bind
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
@PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID:
sorry. edit fuck up
SteveDenver
Only idiots post “Who?” as if it’s somehow cute to flaunt their ignorance and inability to remedy it.
So glad Michael is at a place of self-acceptance, and wish him the best. I hope he and his ex can become friends, it sounds like he really cares for her.
Avery Alvarez
@stranded: I know. I wish Flowers would come out, too.
@lykeitiz: and unfortunately I also know this is the reason he never will.
@PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID: any ideology carried to an extreme is dangerous, no matter what “good intentions” they have. SJW is definitely an extremist ideology that seeks to silence free speech and dissent, and control what people are allowed to say, even think. It’s as divisive as anything on the right wing side.
lykeitiz
@stranded: Yeah, I was surprised when I saw this:
https://www.mormon.org/me/5233
sangsue
@stranded:
Unfortunately Flowers is Mormon so the chances of that are next to nil.
sangsue
@Rimmington: Wrong. I’m bisexual and bipolar. Don’t act like an expert when you know nothing about it.
wade.l
Just went on to you tube to check out this group. Am going to download their albums right now.
mgkbus
I am amazed at the tone of some people here who get worked up over a minor article. Opinions can be epressed without such wanton vitriol, can’t they?
On the other hand, I do love a good fight…
carry on
Joe
Never heard of Passion Pit and don’t care to but you’ll get your gay welcome package in the mail in a few weeks. Welcome!