KNOCK, KNOCK. WHO'S THERE? THE CLOSET. YOU'RE STILL AROUND? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!
There's been a great deal of discussion on the site [After Elton] over the past couple of weeks about gay celebrities, the closet and what constitutes being "out." And even though we've discussed the issue numerous times before, it seems like it is once again time to revisit the topic. And it's a subject that is as tricky as ever and that can have real consequences for the celebrities involved.
Perez kicked the latest round of debate off when he posted an item about White Collar's Matthew Bomer. Without citing a source or saying how he knew, Perez simply claimed Matt was an out gay man. If true, we were certainly interested in writing about Matt and his show, but as we aren't a gossip site, I wasn't going to simply repeat Perez's claims — for lots of reasons.
But I did call up Matthew's publicist and request an interview if, in fact, Perez's information was correct. Through his publicist, Matthew passed on doing the interview and the publicist told me they don't comment on their client's personal lives. And that post set off a heated discussion about outing, the closet and all the other related issues.
The issue of the closet is something we deal with at AfterElton.com a lot and we are constantly evaluating how we cover celebrities that may or may not be gay. First and foremost, we do not out people. It's our firm belief that despite the undeniably greater gay acceptance in society today, coming out still has serious ramifications for many people and is a decision to be made only by the individual in question (excluding closeted politician's, but that's another conversation for another site).
That being said, we also don't believe there is anything wrong with treating everyone the same and the questions asked of a straight celebrity are perfectly fine to ask of a gay celebrity when appropriate. Are you married? Single? What was your childhood like? How does being straight influence the way you play a gay character? Does your husband get jealous when you kiss another man? And so forth.
Here are some general observations and thoughts about where we stand today.
1) For our readers: Just because "everyone" in West Hollywood or New York "knows" Celebrity X is gay because you've seen him around town with another guy does not make it true or mean that the person is out publicly. First of all, New York and Los Angeles are not the entire world and secondly, being seen out in public with another man is not being out in any practical way.
2) For gay celebrities: Just because your family and friends know you are gay does not make you publicly out.
3) For representatives of gay celebrities: If your client is gay and your response is "no comment" because "we don't ever comment on our client's personal lives" all I have to say is "Poppycock." I may understand why you are hiding the info, but I'm not an idiot and neither are our readers. If your client discusses raising funds for Alzheimer's because their dad had it or working to fight testicular cancer because they have it or anything else not specifically about a particular role, then they do discuss their private lives.
4) There are legal issues involved. Like it or not, claiming a person is gay still has legal ramifications and you can be sued for defamation in almost half of the states in the U.S. Yes, the celebrity has to prove you are wrong, but the fact of the matter is not every celebrity rumored to be gay is gay, and I'm not about to risk my job on Perez Hilton's say so.
BTW, publicists? Please don't tell me information "off the record" and then hint you don't care what I say as long as it's without any attribution at all. Again, that could end with your client suing me and I don't traffic in gossip. Thanks, but no thanks.
5) Dear fellow journalists, please don't treat gay celebrities differently than straight ones. If you regularly ask straight actors about their spouses, children and how they personally relate to playing an ad executive from the 1950s, a starship captain or a serial killer, but avoid similar questions with those you suspect to be gay, you aren't doing your job. And given how quick you usually are to ask officially out actors about the same things you do straight ones, you know I'm right.
I can honestly say that after the success of Neil Patrick Harris has had after coming out publicly (apparently everyone in New York knew he was gay all along) I really thought things would be different and more actors would follow the Luke Macfarlane model and simply acknowledge the fact of their sexuality and move on. But I can tell you from personal experience that we still aren't there no matter how much I'd like us to be.
Which isn't to say I don't understand and appreciate the issues gay celebrities face. But the only reason things ever get better is because some people have the courage to care enough to make things better for all of us.
Source: Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (November 06, 2009), After Elton
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1,504 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1401 – 1504 of 1504"Delivering career-best work sounds like bullshit"
maybe not
All three need much better performance reviews for "career-best work".
Delivering career-best work sounds like bullshit
It does when the same reviewer
writes a SINGLE sentence about all three performances.
Jake Gyllenhaal Calls Paparazzi 'Part of the Job'
Jake Gyllenhaal says he doesn't mind the paparazzi too much when out with girlfriend Reese Witherspoon. [Jake doesn't mention the beard]
"Well, that's just a little part of this job," the actor, 28, told "Extra" at a junket for his new drama, "Brothers" (out Dec. 4).
"It's a part of the job, and there are days that are easier than other days," continued Gyllenhaal. "In terms of a funny guy jumping out of the corner somewhere and catching a photo of you, it just goes along with it."
"I can't say anything bad about it," he added.
For more of "Extra's" interviews with Gyllenhaal, Portman and Maguire, tune in tonight!
extratv video
Anne looked better in those photos of her with Jake/Heath at Venice-she was very slim but slightly curvy and sexy. Now--she looks like she's suffering from starvation--no curves and looks asexual as a result.
I have to agree. She needs to put on some weight again.
Re. 5:36 PM's post - it's funny how Jake's sister went on and on how much Jake is bothered by papz in her last interview.
Also it would be hypocritical of Jake to slam papz too much, cause even if he and Reese are dating for real, there were occasions where they called them. Even Lainey never denied that Reeke use papz when it suits them.
If the paps are part of the job why does Jake spit and kick them!? I don't believe anything he says anymore.
*cough*
I don't believe anything he says anymore.
Jake can't tell the truth about paparazzi and a few other things, lol.
Jake Gyllenhaal Calls Paparazzi 'Part of the Job' video
How to Detect Lies: ... Hands touching their face, throat & mouth. Touching or scratching the nose or behind their ear. Not likely to touch his chest/heart with an open hand.
How to Detect Lies
I think that there are many Oscar worthy directors who willnot work with any man who beards with Witherspoon. The person who said that before was right.
After the bearding started, Jake's name just fell off of the list for the great directors (ie. Directors who mentioned their interest in snagging Jake). I could run off a list of them prior to the start of Brothers' filming date (12/07). And now? Nothing. Nada.
Not if they have to deal with the bearding ball and chain on set. Jake is good but they can find someone else, probably for less money. Can you blame them? I'd have to wear a biological suit to keep her creepiness away from me.
There are a few (rumored) closeted, bearding A-Listers who despite gay and/or bearding rumors have great careers, like say, Hugh Jackman, Will Smith or Tom Cruise (before he hooked up with this air head from Dawson's Creek and made a fool of himself. Kidman was a better wife/beard(?) for sure.) It's the actors ability to act and most importantly their ability to put butts in seats that is important to directors, not if the woman they live with is a rumored beard.
"I can't say anything bad about it," he added.
They left out Jake's last sentence: I can't say anything bad about them, because I feel I've already said it to them when they've taken the picture. (something like that)
Jake, Nat, Tobey interview
Mentions that he, Nat and Tobey are worthy to work with Sheridan. ;)
""There are certain Oscar-worthy directors who *will not* work with Jake while he beards with sociopathic Witherspoon"
This is BS."
Not necessarily, there are some people in hollywood who are all about the work and not the money. As far as Reese's box office and last two films, one was kiddie film. That demograhic could care less who the big lady was. It could have been any actress. Four Christmases was a success because of Vince Vaughn, it would have been hit with any other blonde smurf. Vince Vaughn was the draw. Reese can't carry a movie by herself anymore thats why she picks projects where she is not necessarily the "star". She has her own production company because she has to and she is smart enough to know she can't draw box office on her own.
Everyone gets own Jennifer Anniston for doing romantic comedies thats exactly what Reese does mostly.
^^I can't help it, Natalie goes on my nerves.
I mean it's nice what she said about Jake, but her attitude irritates me. Ugh.
Jake, Nat, Tobey interview
LOL @ silly faces :)
Did you notice Nataie's open mouth at the beginning of the interview. I was thinking "close your mouth already". She probably felt she was too good to be there. LOL.
Poor girl was shocked by previous question! lol
Sitting across from one another in the busy breakfast room a couple of hours later, Jack bit into a muffin and held it there as he peered over at Ennis.
“What?’’ the Texan asked.
“You’re an animal, Mr Twist.’’
“I am, Mr del Mar?’’
“A beast.’’
Ennis feigned a pussycat roar.
Jack lowered his voice. “And a dirty dog.’’
“And you are…’’
“Yeah?’’
Ennis leaned forward as Jack’s muffin crumbled in his hand and fell to the table. “Adorable… exciting… beautiful… so, so sexy…’’
“What’s your point?’’
They laughed.
And so did the not so young lady on the table next to them, having heard practically every word of their exchange. She held her coffee cup more firmly as it began to tremble in her hand.
“I’ve got to be back at the hotel for a four pm pick-up, Ennis. What do you intend doing with me for the next eight hours?’’ Jack asked suggestively, brushing the crumbs off the edge of the table on to a side-plate.
“I figured we might head on back upstairs for an hour or so and then get us some fresh air… long as it’s not too cold.’’
“Ok… we could play Scrabble.’’
The lady coughed.
“We could.’’
“Or we could…’’
“… write some postcards?’’
“Or we could just fuck.’’
A knife fell to a plate with a clatter.
“Ok, let’s do that then,’’ Jack said as they both got up. While Ennis signed the bill, Jack hovered just behind him. Then as they made to leave, he looked over at the lady who had been watching their every move. He smiled then winked. She looked quickly away before sneaking another glimpse at them as they stood there. She’d turned a delightful shade of pink.
Leaving the dining room, Jack said, “She heard every word, En.’’
“And loved it, I bet.’’
“You knew?’’
Ennis grinned. “Not much gets passed me, darlin. Ever heard of slash?’’
Up in the Air
Jake, Nat, Tobey interview
LOL @ silly faces :)
Good, old Jake is alive and kicking :)
Would You Do...Natalie Portman and Her Blossoms?
Any excuse to put up a picture of Natalie Portman is OK by us!
Nat celebrated the premiere of her new flick Brothers and looked absolutely yumma-do-me while doing it. But a little on the thin side, no? Guess that's Hollywood for ya.
Love the hair, love the makeup, love the dress. Her 'do looks classy, while the strapless mini, busty-bouquet number keeps her looking young. We forget the age of this mature Harvard alum sometimes, but we do know that that vibrant blue hue is impeccable.
One thing missing from the party was costar Jake Gyllenhaal.
Is that because he was home playing with his hair?
Nat totally threw Jakey under the bus (in a loving way) in People mag's Sexiest Man Alive issue.
Says Portman: "He knows home remedies for distressed hair."
That doesn't exactly make him sexy in our book. Hmm, is that why he lost out to Johnny Depp for the cover? But don't worry—Gyllenhaal is very rugged, too.
Portman continues to People: "[Jake] can build a cabinet from scratch. He plays guitar and has a great voice. Kids and dogs love him. He loves his mom and sister and girlfriend. He's perfect. Too bad he's ugly."
We'd stick with Nat over Jake, honestly. What about you?
Would You Do...
Dear Ted:
There has been an uproar of extreme anger toward you recently in the comments section. The complaint against you is that you have been misleading and/or blatantly lying to your readers about a certain Blind Vice. This particular Vice has had three iterations to tickle our fancy. So, here is the question on my and many others' lips: What the ef? Seriously, are there instances where you are pressured by people such as lawyers to back way the heck off of the clues you've been giving and, in fact, print things that might lead your readers to draw different conclusions than the ones most have drawn, thus keeping their clients safely closeted? Or were the majority of us just barkin' up the wrong tree? Throw us a bone here, pretty please!
—Sam
Dear Pissed B.V.s:
Please, I do whatever I want (in certain legal limits). I'll try to steer you the wrong way sometimes when it's getting too easy...but come on, I'll never lie. Or mislead. Some people are upset about something I'm not even implying!
Dear Ted:
Is Toothy Tile Hugh Jackman? He obviously loves his kids and hangs out with his wife and looks happy. But that grin...There's something mischievous about him, and that intriguing grin seems to say, "We all know my secret—if not, think you can guess?" Not that it should matter; we'd love him no matter what! Personally, I love the nuances and lack of white-bread suburbia in anyone willing to risk showing that side of themselves!
—Seattle Suburban Soccer Mom
Dear Guessing Mom:
Someone already guessed that, and I already said nope! Sorry, hon, wrong vice for Hugh. Think less slick.
Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set?
"Please, I do whatever I want (in certain legal limits). I'll try to steer you the wrong way sometimes when it's getting too easy...but come on, I'll never lie. Or mislead."
Now we have it in black and white :)
Jake Gyllenhaal - Filming ‘Prince Of Persia’ Was ‘Extraordinary!’
Jake talks about how playing a video game character is so different from any other kind of character he has played before. Plus, he describes how big the sets were, how he learned to run on walls and do swordplay.
Access Hollywood video
ashleymfmay: Mel gibson kinda looks like jake gyllenhaal. If you look really close.
about 10 hours
I'll try to steer you the wrong way sometimes when it's getting too easy...but come on, I'll never lie. Or mislead.
Duh!
A knife fell to a plate with a clatter.
LOL
FYI
WDW posted a short Anne and Jake LAOD movie set video + this pics of Jake and Jake's LAOD car
"If the paps are part of the job why does Jake spit and kick them!? I don't believe anything he says anymore"
Keep in mind he is currently promoting a movie. Celebrities must to be seen as they are in peace with both God and the Devil, i think is the law in HW or something
I have no idea what you're talking about!
Jake Gyllenhaal says he doesn't mind the paparazzi too much when out with girlfriend Reese Witherspoon.
LOL!
Don't you like PR? It's so easy to sell publicity whores as nice people stalked by paparazzi.
Posted on OMG by Special K
Did you catch this?
When you watch the interview you hear the reporter ask him about the paparazzi taking picutre of him when he is out with Reese and he then says.
"Well, that's just a little part of this job", that Jake corrects himself and then says "the job"?
Extra TV clip - they added Reeke pictures from 3 reeking occasions to Jake's Brothers interview:
IHJ - Entertainment Shows: Extra - Brothers Interview (clip screencaps)
^^
No wonder he avoided talking about Chin all this time. He screwed up the facade in the very first fucking interview!!!!
Toothy really has shit for brains
:(
He screwed up the facade in the very first fucking interview!!!!
Please explain.
Extra TV clip - they added Reeke pictures from 3 reeking occasions to Jake's Brothers interview
Great! lol
He screwed up the facade in the very first fucking interview!!!!
Please explain.
^^
Posted on OMG by Special K
Did you catch this?
When you watch the interview you hear the reporter ask him about the paparazzi taking picutre of him when he is out with Reese and he then says.
"Well, that's just a little part of this job", that Jake corrects himself and then says "the job"?
Dear Ted:
All of the grief over Janet Jackson's breast, but Adam Lambert was allowed to grab a woman's vagina, simulate oral sex, flip everyone the finger and open-mouth kiss a straight man. But it's all OK because he's gay? Ted, what do you think?
—Yvette ML
Dear Hardly:
Lambert's performance was completely edited when the show aired on the West Coast, though. I don't see why people made a big deal about boobgate or Lambert's antics. Like I said, it's a p-e-r-f-o-r-m-a-n-c-e, people (and parents council). If you don't like it, switch the damn channel!
Dear Ted:
I am very discouraged. I guess I should never read the comments at all. Do you really want your readers to guess who is gay/bi/straight/into animals and on and on it goes? I really hate how nasty this has all gotten to be. Do you need these B.V. to survive? Is it really that much fun, really? I'll just have to stop reading it all!
—Kriszo
Dear No Fun:
The crazy stuff that happens in this town has to be reported. That means it has to be concealed in a B.V. for legal reasons, primarily. Why don't you just not read them?
Dear Ted:
Any chance one of the actors or actresses on One Tree Hill (the show so bad it's good) has a B.V.? Or perhaps one of them is now dating a famous Blind Vicer—say, Grey Goose?
—Jede
Dear Too Obvious:
Duh. One Tree Hill'ers have been the subjects of B.V.s. They're regular heathens over there!
Dear Ted:
I would like to think that Johnny Depp and/or his managers chose the worst picture possible as a perverse poke at People's Sexiest Man Alive issue.
—Heaneys
Dear Could Be:
Johnny probably doesn't even know he's on the cover. He could give two s--ts about that kinda stuff.
Bitch-Back! Lambert Worse Than Boobgate?
When you watch the interview you hear the reporter ask him about the paparazzi taking picutre of him when he is out with Reese and he then says.
"Well, that's just a little part of this job", that Jake corrects himself and then says "the job"?
I know your comment was about that, but English isn't my first language so I'm not sure I got it: Jake said that paparazzi taking pictures of him is a little part of his job, meaning going out with the beard is work and having their pictures taken is just a little part of his job?
^^^ that was 10:54 AM :)
Natalie @ Letterman:
JJ
More Natalie
We go behind the scenes of Mario Testino's V magazine cover shoot with Natalie Portman video
We’re not even sure why the magazines keep pushing it, but this couple who are said to be romantically involved, are actually nothing but. Sure, they’re having fun playing with the press, but it’s mostly because they are told it would be a good marketing strategy for their career. Everyone around them knows however, that they are just good friends, not lovers. One in all the media buzz is actually rumored to swing the other way.
Not Chace Crawford.
link
^^You can tell Natalie's very self-confident. She knows that people, particularly men, find her attractive. She was born with the metaphorical silver spoon in ther mouth and it shows. She's one lucky girl. (She still says some pretty stupid things often that expose her as not as intelligent as people, fans, want her to be).
"She still says some pretty stupid things often that expose her as not as intelligent as people, fans, want her to be)."
If she read this blog , she would probably think the same.
Reviews, let's sum them up (you can get all the info on Oscarwatch forums):
Hollywood Reporter, Variety = mixed, rather negative; Emanuelle Levy gave it a B. Screed Daily is positive, Dark Horizons positive too.
Pretty mixed.
If she read this blog , she would probably think the same.
Huh? What would Nat think?
Emanuelle Levy gave it a B
B-
Huh? What would Nat think?
I'm not 12:49 PM, but s/he is probably alluding that we, the posters on WFT2, aren't intelligent either (but that would include 12:49 PM him-/herself, lol).
Honest self-criticism is admirable! lol
Dark Horizons positive too
Can't find the review on the site, link please.
Paul Fischer from Dark Horizons (twitter entry):
link
Thanks.
Any ideas why there aren't more Brothers reviews?
I've no idea. But I personally think the film will receive mixed to good reviews.
Heads up!
Pics of Jake, Tobey and Natalie at the premiere on IHJ.
IHJ - 'Brothers' Film Premiere Cocktail Party
^^Jake looks relaxed.
Awwwwwww
Did enyone mention that Jake was in NYC or at the cocktail party?
Jim, Jake and that silly producer
Awwwwwww
Women seem to enjoy snuggling up to Jake (Natalie here, Michelle at the BBM press conf.). They seem to feel safe, comfortable with him. I think that might be an indicator that he is gay. I'm being serious.
1:43: The cocktail party took place after the press conference on Saturday. No one mentioned because no one knew . He also taped the Extra segment that day.
He is wearing the same clothes he had on at the press conference.
Plus Jake is affectionate and people respond to that.
^^That too, yeah.
Thanks 1:56 PM.
How come Jake went to the after party but did go to the premiere screening? If he flew in from PIT I would imagine that the director would have let him leave a few hours early so he could be there on time. Looks bad that he didn't do the screening but did the party. Glad Ted C. is riding his ass. Can't wait to hear what Ted has to say next week after the long weekend Reekefest followed by the LA premiere on 12/1.
Jake might be back to filming LAOD on 12/1.
The film shoot will probably be closed for Thanksgiving.weekend Brothers premiere is 12/1 and Jake is scheduled to be on Jimmy Kimmel 12/3. He will probably go to LA for Thanksgivih (like a good pet on a leash) and then stay for the other dates the following week
I think filming of LAOD will end end of November, beginning of December anyway.
1:59PM Those pictures of the cocktail party were taken on Saturday after the press conference, this was NOT the after party after the Sunday Premiere.
Jake went back to Pittsburgh on Sunday to film. If Ted actually knew anything or even had his intern check twitter, etc he would have known he was back in PA. He should check things like that before he posts crap like that, makes him like he isn't in the know!
Why would Ted care about Jake's working schedule? Ted is a gossiper, not Jake's fangirl.
I heard Nailed is going to premiere in Cannes? Is that true?
" He should check things like that before he posts crap like that, makes him like he isn't in the know!"
Oh god you really thought he is in the know?
Ted is a gossiper, not Jake's fangirl.
Babblers are still pissed with Ted, LOL!
I heard Nailed is going to premiere in Cannes? Is that true?
Matthew Rhodes, a producer on "Nailed," said there are funds for postproduction, and "Nailed" will be offered to domestic distributors and international buyers next year at Cannes. He called the movie "fantastic" and "wonderful."
Hollywood Reporter
Jake jokes about dating Jim Sheridan :)
E!'s Daily 10 - Jake Gyllenhaal (11.23.09)
^^Thanks 3:56 PM, I knew I read it somewhere.
Out of Brothers, POP and Nailed, I was mosly looking forward to Nailed. The director of Nailed is really good.
LAOD and Source Code sound interesting too.
E!'s Daily 10 - Jake Gyllenhaal (11.23.09)
Is Jake flirting with that cute interviewer?
Is Jake flirting with that cute interviewer?
Either that or he's just comfortable chatting with him.
It looks to me Jake's particularly comfortable chatting with cute boys ;)
^^Who can blame him? ;)
I wonder if Jake's co star was, say, James Franco instead of good ol' Tobey, if there would have been homo erotic vibes between them? Damn, next time Jake should co star with a cute guy again. Maybe there would be some chances to get some, with sexual chemistry filled, pics and vids. ;)
Who can blame him?
I CAN!
Damn, next time Jake should co star with a cute guy again.
PoP - Toby Kebbell? Not sure.
Nailed - James Marsden? Jon Stewart? (yes, THAT Jon Stewart)
Source Code - not very likely.
Damn!
James Marsden?
I forgot that he's in Nailed. James is cute. :)
*sigh*
SLUT!
Didn't Jake flirt with James at the Oscars Vanity Fair party a few years ago?
Very likely (I saw only one picture), I bet Jake flirts with every cute boy and handsome man in sight! lol
Didn't Jake flirt with James at the Oscars Vanity Fair party a few years ago?
You mean Franco?
Yes, they were chatting intimately at the Oscar after party in 2006. Someone posted a (wireimage?) photo of it some weeks ago.
Jake's a big flirt. He flirts with men and women. He always flirts with Pene Cruz when they meet.
Yes, a big flirt around people he likes :)
I'm going to say something that I'm EVERYONE who reads this blog will not agree with--I'm just being honest here--I don't think it's a huge tragedy but...based on how Jake looks at the cocktail party for Brothers and on that E interview, he is not aging well or rather as he gets older, he is losing his boyish prettiness. Not a huge deal but he's not nearly as beautiful as he was during his BBM period. I'm sure EVERYONE will disagree of course.
^^ not everyone here will disagree, I won't. I was thinking exactly the same thing as you are.
Thanks. It's like he's going through an awkward period. It's strange. I mean he's only 28, right?
"I'm sure EVERYONE will disagree of course."
I was thinking the same thing but it could be stress.
It’s like Jake has aged a lot in the last couple of years or maybe he’s just losing his boyishness. Not that I think he isn’t good looking still but he used to be beautiful.
" Not that I think he isn’t good looking still but he used to be beautiful."
Not really, it was cast with alot of other men. Seriously Jake is one of those guys looks hot sometimes and then others, you think what the hell happen? His People pic is horrible. It looked like one of those oomputer created images that the police use to identify a criminal.
Granted, he's NOT unhealthy looking the way Heath (may he RIP) was before he died. He just looks like he's either going through an awkward period or isn't aging well. Maybe as he gets older, he's getting more unphotogenic angles?
James Franco is 32 and he's looking younger than Jake IMO. I think what Jake needs is to put on weight again. But yes, he was absolutely perfect looking in BBM. I doubt he'll ever look as good. Not that that's important anyway.
7:11 PM, as I've said, I think it's the weight loss presumably for LAOD.
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