UPDATE: Barry’s secret gay nuptial has been anonymously verified in People Magazine. Congrats to the happy grooms.
It’s been long rumored that Barry Manilow’s manager Garry Kief is a bit more than an employee (ahem) — it was even mentioned in Variety as far back as 2009 when the two maybe-or-maybe-not sold their Malibu beach house.
But the ever-diligent folks over at the National Enquirer have upped the ante by reporting the two recently got married in a hush-hush ceremony at their multi-million dollar Palm Springs love nest.
According to NE, fifty of the duo’s closest friends and family members were invited to their estate under the guise of a luncheon, and only found out it was a wedding once they arrived (hope they dressed properly).
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“It was a total surprise. When they arrived they were told it was a wedding!” a source close to Manilow reportedly told NE.
“Barry has lived a very secretive life and the wedding was no different! Barry and Garry did not tell friends or family that the occasion was their wedding,” the guest continued. “It was a beautiful wedding and consummated their lifelong love affair!”
Notably, friend and Palm Springs neighbor Suzanne Somers acted as ‘Best man,’ and Marc Hulett — Barry’s assistant since the ’80s — performed the commitment ceremony.
The Enquirer notes that the couple didn’t actually file the paperwork, though, fearing the news would find its way out.
“Barry is paranoid that his fans would not approve of him being gay, when in reality, many have suspected it for years — and most wouldn’t care,” the same source reportedly said. “They would be happy for him!”
We sure would, Barry. We sure would.
David Sutton
Bless her heart.
Lisa Moore
Do they really need to say “gay wedding”?
Milk
“Barry is paranoid that his fans would not approve of him being gay, when in reality, many have suspected it for years — and most wouldn’t care,”
Barry should be paranoid that he would have any fans left.
John Kuehnle
And National Enquirer is to be believed?
Atrius
@Milk: Barry is the bomb for his genre.
Christopher Hayward
Sweet of her, she is a dear.
Alan down in Florida
Amazing how durable those glass closets can be.
Curty
I’m a young man who happens to think Manilow Can sing and is a good showman. That being said at his age still trying to be this secretive not so much about this allege wedding but the fact he is gay is laughable. Who in the hell believes he is straight??? Lol
1898
He is an exceptionally talented musician. I would say that his greatest talent is not his voice, but rather his skill as a lyricist, arranger, and composer.
I wonder if Bette Midler was at the alleged gathering. It would’ve been sort of fitting for her to sing, considering Barry was her accompanist when she was starting out.
NoCagada
How sad…to be that rich and that old and still live in the closet…Same Liberace…different generation.
NoCagada
Because so many straight male performers start their career in a gay bath house…
Realitycheck
@NoCagada:
True, he must be 72 and he still he cares about what people thinks?
Curty
@1898: Barry can sing…. listen to greatest songs of the 50s and 60s… he sung very well, good arranger too.
Wehotex
I saw Barry Manilow and his “employee” at a Westside LA furniture store where my boyfriend worked back in the mid-90s. They were together for such a long time. I don’t know why Barry feels the need to do everything in the closet. He’s always been kinda gay even back in his heydays of the 70s.
excusemydust
Congratulations to Mr. Manilow and his new husband. 🙂
Doughosier
He’s a very underrated musician and I’m a fan. I’ve always assumed he’s gay.
Michael Kreps
Did not know about this…
Mickey Warnock
I guess Mandy didn’t do it for him…
polarisfashion
I wonder what kind of pizza they served in the reception?
Curty
@Doughosier: Me too and his sexuality is one of the worse kept secrets in the music industry. Manilow is like Luther Vandross, Liberace. Only the most naive would they they were straight. Manilow gay? Duh! Either that or asexual lol
MarionPaige
I’m confused … was it a wedding or a commitment ceremony?
Alex Teoh
he is gay ?!
wowowoowwo
never knew it!!!!
jimontp
@NoCagada: It is so sad and pathetic, that even at his wedding/commitment ceremony, Manilow feels he has to keep it a secret. What kind of message does that send to young gays, or even older gays who have struggled to come out of the closet for decades. Everyone knows Manilow is gay, just like everyone knew Liberace was gay. As an old gay guy in SF, I’d like to quote Harvey Milk, “COME OUT, COME OUT.” It is the only way gays can feel proud of ourselves and demand equality.
David Andrew Roubideaux
Congratulations to Barry & his long time love! :)’s
Milk
You mean none of you suspected when he begin his career with Bette Midler at The Continental Bathhouse? He would take his break walking around with a towel around his waist cruising. 😛
Bob LaBlah
“Barry is paranoid that his fans would not approve of him being gay, when in reality, many have suspected it for years — and most wouldn’t care,” the same source reportedly said. “They would be happy for him!”
Back in the early 1990’s all of ten fans showed up to meet him at the airport. He was no longer performing to sellout crowds by then either. That said I absolutely LOVE the man and his music. I still remember my disco days every time I hear Copacabana (along with the friends I lost to AIDS).
I’m happy for you Barry. I understand and respect your privacy. At least you never went around pretending to be what everyone knew you weren’t.
Bob LaBlah
@NoCagada: Because so many straight male performers start their career in a gay bath house…”
Well Tiny Tim didn’t.
myloginname
Congratulations guys!!! Mazel Tov!
northwest
Manilow and Somers, a right wing/Libertarian nightmare pair. It figures.
Milk
@Atrius: That’s because he is the only one in his genre 🙂
Transiteer
1. I’m glad for him and ‘them’. Long and Happy Life together!
2. It’s NOT a gay wedding. It’s a wedding. Get with it.
Will L
He’s only 71?!? He looks at least 80 in that Enquirer article. He has been an open secret for as long as I can remember and he’s STILL paranoid?
Giancarlo85
I respect him and if he wants to be private about his own life. That really isn’t anyones business.
Barry Manilow should come out and be more open, but that isn’t my call to make.
As far as his music, it’s too bad he hasn’t had the staying power of Mick Jagger. I guess he didn’t want to continue a robust singing career for that long.
Uppity
Different generation and different mindset, compounded by the fame thing. I remember Clive Davis in his autobiography describing a relationship he had for many years with a doctor who lived in his same apartment building. They were deeply closeted, and only out to a handful of friends who they’d occasionally invite to dinner parties at home. Then one day the doctor got a job offer in a new town, left, and that was the end of it. Davis refers to it as if it was nothing. Low expectations I guess. A different time. He also recounts a catfight he had with Barry Manilow, seemingly unaware that it was a classically gay exchange, closeted though they both were at the time.
TerrenM
I love Barry. And am completely happy for him, his husband and families. But Harvey Milk’s quote will always ring true to me. And he said this in the SEVENTIES. Wish he was still alive. “Every gay person must come out. As difficult as it is, you must tell your immediate family. You must tell your relatives. You must tell your friends if indeed they are your friends. You must tell the people you work with. You must tell the people in the stores you shop in. Once they realize that we are indeed their children, that we are indeed everywhere, every myth, every lie, every innuendo will be destroyed once and all. And once you do, you will feel so much better”
TerrenM
Guarantee ya, Barry feels that peace now.
Chris McLaughlin
Steve Grippo
Sweet Boy
Barry Manilow is gay….shocking!!
Low Country Boy
@John Kuehnle: Yes, they called out John Edwards on his affair and bastard child!
1EqualityUSA
polarisfashion asked, “What kind of pizza did they serve at the wedding.” good one. You’ve been on a roll lately!
offbeatoh86
His name was Lenny – He was a gogo boy..
Cobalt Blue
What a beautiful ” photoshoped-till-the-bone ” picture !
Lilli590
Glad the wedding went well what a shame they felt it could not be public. The more people who marry in public the more accepted it will be. Still it was their day and what matters most is they enjoyed it. Congratulations guys.
winemaker
I’ve known Barry Manilow was gay for years! I came out in June 1977. At that time, he had a couple of songs on the charts, “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Looks Like We Made It”. I recall driving on Santa Monica Blvd with a guy I was seeing and Can’t Smile Without You came on the radio. I looked at him and suddenly started singing along and he smiled back at me and started both of us laughing for some reason. It was a great time in my life: newly out, no more lies or hiding, the freedom to live your truth is so powerful! I also recall some of his songs being played in the gay bars in West Hollywood in the late ’70s. A friend of mine who had knowledge told me Barry was gay, so the reason for his songs being played in places like Studio One, The Blue Parrot and The Rusty Nail, all gone out of business or closed and replaced by new gay venues! PS:Congratulations Barry and Garry! Here’s to a lifetime of happiness!
Bob Hunter
And the world gets stranger and stranger and more perverted.
Mickie McLaughlin
suzanne somers was “best man”? not surprised…she looks like they had the same plastic surgeon…seriously…
jwtraveler
@Lisa Moore: Right. Like when they say Channing Tatum was a male stripper or Tyson Beckford is a male model. Is the gender in doubt?