The Associated Press continues to revel in gay Idol fever.
Today, the news agency asks whether or not the public can handle having an openly homo American Idol contestant. Former participant and current queer Jim Verranos insists the show’s moving closer toward a closet-free environment, “It feels like we’re closer now than ever to having an openly gay contestant on the show…I feel like there are some definite possibilities for this to happen this year.” Well, yeah. It’s not as if former stripper Daniel Hernandez can deny his homosexuality now, right? (And don’t front like he could be gay-for-pay. We’re not buying it.)
Homo-journo Michael Jensen of AfterElton flame isn’t so much concerned with Americans’ reactions, but with the show’s internal attitudes:
The show hasn’t seemed very conducive or gay friendly to contestants coming out. Simon and Randy have not hesitated to mock effeminate contestants and crack the occasional gay joke. It has not communicated to contestants that it would be a good place to come out.
That’s definitely a valid point, although some of those queens make for such easy punchlines!
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Idol producers told the AP that they don’t comment on contestant’s personal lives, but the news agency reminds readers that Idol thrives on weekly back stories. Why none of those have been pink-tinged remains a matter of contention.
Bob R
Simon Cowell mock effeminate behavior? Now that’s rich! As effeminate as Simon is, if he isn’t a screaming queen he certainly does play one on TV. This kid is talented and handsome and not some sort of sociopath or criminal. He “may” be gay. He was a stripper in a gay bar. So what? None of the judges on Idol have any business throwing personal stones, least of all Simon and that gluttonous, talentless Randy.
Chris
I’m only nitpicking because he’s so hot: David Hernandez, not Daniel. Danny is that whacked-out teen with the weird hair.
Rowen
Does American Idol really matter anymore? I haven’t heard anyone actually discuss this show since Taylor Hicks. And what are the winners/celebs doing? Producing shitty albums, stunt cast in failing Broadway shows (ok, I’ll give Fantasia her due, but she DID miss a lot of performances and basically closed the show), or nothing worth noting. Ruben’s doing well, but only in a very select market. (How do I even KNOW all this?) So, really, who cares what talentless pretty people are doing on reality T.V.? I thought we all got burned out from the Simple Life.
keiren63
A couple of seasons back when Anwar Robinson was on, they went on and on about how much the girls liked him…apparently, he was completely out in his life (he was a school music teacher), and had a long-term boyfriend but the producers wouldn’t let him mention his gayness in any way, shape or form. And, this season, any time Danny Noriega is on stage, let’s face it, it’s the big ol’ elephant in the room everyone tries to avoid.
jackscribe
I wish Danny would go all the way and come out with some eye makeup to make the stereotype complete. He’s this year’s Sanjaya on votefortheworst.com. Stud muffin David H. is good looking, personable and talented. I suspect that FOX is promoting his stripper background for ratings. However, David A. is primo. Yes, A.I. is relevant this year.
todd
This show is going to exploit the gays and criminals to stay viable!
Chad
Just to point out that Simon was the judge on the original UK Pop Idol which produced a very gay pop singer, Will Young. While American Idol might be scared of a Gay Idol, Simon isn’t.
Alexa
You couldn’t be more wrong, Chad. Simon didn’t like Will Young and was campaigning for Gareth Gates, who came second, to win. Like Jim Verraros and other gay American Idol contestants, Will came out AFTER he competed on Pop Idol (he actually came out to the public because a former boyfriend was going to out him in the tabloids). There are a lot of people who have been following Idol for a long time who think one of the reasons Simon was so desperate for Ruben Studdard to win season two of American Idol was because he thought the same might happen with Clay, and he knew the US public would never accept a young gay singer the way British audiences will.
Alan down in Florida
Just to repeat an important point here – shaking your naked moneymaker in front of gay men does not necessarily mean you are gay. Half the “actors” in gay male porn are straight “gay for pay.” I’m sure it pays better than McDonald’s or a telemarketing job. So unless you have proof that Davey boy is sticking it in somewhere without getting paid for it do not assume he is gay.
fredo777
* Verraros
fredo777
I voted for David H., C., and A.
As well as Danny N. (he’s flamboyant, which seems to make him the butt of jokes a lot). However, the kid’s vocal talent is definitely there. Sooo not the worst of the males.
DirtyFaggot
Alright, I do agree he most likely is gay, but I wouldn’t necessarily discredit him if he said he was straight. I personally know two completely heterosexual guys who used to work at Dick’s. They’re both very hot and very nice to the gays (obviously since they’re willing to whip their dicks out for us on stage) but I’ve only ever seen them come on to women.