Thread: Should other A-listers follow the example of Ricky Martin?

I'm not sure Ricky Martin is the best example, as he's pretty much confirmed the obvious. But it could be concieved as damaging to his career, as I guess there's alot of women who've convinced themselves otherwise.

My point is, should gay and lesbian performers feel it necessary to hide their sexuality in this day and age.

The reason I ask is I watched a TV show the other night, that pointed out the only (fairly) well known male gay actor (in the US anyway), playing a straight part is Neil Patrick Harris in 'How I met your mother'. I'm not a fan of the show, but when I've watched it he's always been convincing; regardless of his sexuality.

Going by the law of averages and statistics, it seems likely that there are gay and lesbian A-listers that are concealing their sexuality.

I guess my question is in three parts:

1. Would a gay or lesbian actor playing an opposite role, affect your enjoyment of a film (romantic role, gay man in an action role etc.)?

2. Which A-listers do you think are not being honest?

3. Do you think it would hurt their careers to admit it?

I realise I've shifted towards actors, over performers in general, but it seems to be the A-list actors that are the most scared to come out.

I'm quite suprised no-one has responded to this.

I'm a straight man asking this question, as I don't understand why it matters.

I have gay friends and funnily enough they're not all obviously gay. Having said that, some are as camp as it gets, but in terms of casting for a movie, why should gay actors hide their sexuality, just to make it in holllywood.

Hi there,

nice topic :)

It all depends on what the person does for a living, and how obvious his sexual orientation is. I will use your examples. Neil Patrick Harris is a GOOD actor, since he can act like a straight man so damn well. Don't get me wrong here. I don't imply anything bad about homosexuals or something. And of course i don't imply that straight MUST mean MACHO (many people think that way for some strange reason). Anyway, since he is a GOOD actor it doesn't really affect his career. When i first learned that he is gay (i was halfway to 2nd or 3rd season) i was taken by surprise. After the initial shock, and the acknowledgement that he is a brilliant actor it didn't change anything in the way i look at him as Barney Stinson (his name in How I Met Your Mother). On the other hand he is not the only homosexual actor (that has expressed himself / herself). There have been quite a few in the past years admitting to the world their sexual orientations. The ones who were good actors didn't see their career taking a downhill.

You also mentioned Ricky Martin who is (supposed to be) a singer. I didn't know he was gay until i read your post. The guy has no voice, and his songs are nothing special. He never had and never will an adult audience. From his first day in music all he was, was a good looking young man, with nice abs, nice smile making thousands and maybe millions of teenage girls worldwide get the hots for him. Now imagine him on the "top" of his career saying he is gay. It would be a free fall without a parachute. Because all he was "selling" was his looks and the sex appeal he had on the teenage girls.
Now someone might ask "what if he admitted from day one"... Well let's be sincere now, is mankind so open minded towards this matter yet? Worldwide? I would say NO, so there would never be a chance in a million for him (and his record label) to earn so much money cause male homosexuals wouldn't be as many as the girls (most of them wouldn't even admit it).

Now lets get another example: Sinnead O'Connor, Freddy Mercury (Queen), Elton John, Nina Persson (The Cardigans), George Michael (Wham! and then he went solo), Morrissey (The Smiths - he never admitted it but it's like a common secret that he is gay-) these are only a few examples from singers we all more or less heard of. They all had HUGE success and HUGE careers and their tastes in bed didn't affect them. Why? Because they had VOICE, they could actually sing, write good music, write interesting lyrics, give good performances and speak to audience's hearts.

It all comes down to if the person is talented and good at what he / she does, and what he / she sells. (talking about performers in general, because things in every day jobs are a bit different)


To answer your questions :

1) It hasn't so far, unless the actor is completely untalented and / or the movie sucks
2)Can't think of anyone right now
3)Well i think i explained it thoroughly in my post already


Thnx for reading all this wall of text

Originally Posted by Ryuzaki

Now lets get another example: Sinnead O'Connor, Freddy Mercury (Queen), Elton John, Nina Persson (The Cardigans), George Michael (Wham! and then he went solo), Morrissey (The Smiths - he never admitted it but it's like a common secret that he is gay-) these are only a few examples from singers we all more or less heard of. They all had HUGE success and HUGE careers and their tastes in bed didn't affect them. Why? Because they had VOICE, they could actually sing, write good music, write interesting lyrics, give good performances and speak to audience's hearts.

I'm probably going to be told off for commenting on this.

Look at the names you're referencing, they're almost entirely from the UK or from the rest of europe.

If you can name similar artists from the US then I'll SHUT UP!

Originally Posted by guy

I'm probably going to be told off for commenting on this.

Look at the names you're referencing, they're almost entirely from the UK or from the rest of europe.

If you can name similar artists from the US then I'll SHUT UP!

well... i got Barry Manilow, and a full band.. the Village People hahahahaha :D
they are Americans after all :p

now lets get serious.

I think Tracy Chapman is, Joan Baez, Billie Joel Armstrong (or something like that.. the Green Day singer anyway), the Twisted Sister singer (have no idea what his name is but he CAN'T be straight :p ), same thing for Manowar lead singer (again not 100% sure), not to mention Andy Warhol (ok not a singer but his lifetime work is HUGE)

i can't think of more at the moment, if i squeeze my brain a bit i could find 2 or 3 more i guess

but why does it matter that i mentioned mostly Europeans? Does A-listers mean something only about americans?

Originally Posted by Ryuzaki

but why does it matter that i mentioned mostly Europeans? Does A-listers mean something only about americans?

Why do you want the case persasive.

Originally Posted by guy

Why do you want the case persasive.

i lost you here :S

Originally Posted by Ryuzaki

i lost you here :S

I'm not gay for If you want to try it[/quote]

Originally Posted by guy

I'm not gay for If you want to try it

[/QUOTE]

try what?
i didnt imply anywhere that you where :S
you last 3 posts don't make any sense at all to me