Jonathan Knight: I Have Never Hidden The Fact That I Am Gay
Jonathan Knight took to the NKOTB blog today (you'll need to fork over $39.95 to access it yourself) to address his recent so-called "outing" by pop star Tiffany and officially announce to the public that he is gay.
"I have never been outed by anyone but myself! I did so almost twenty years ago. I never know that I would have to do it all over again publicly just because I reunited with NKOTB! I have lived my life very openly and have never hidden the fact that I am gay! Apparently the pre requiste to being a gay public figure is to appear on the cover of a magazine with the caption "I am gay". I apologize for not doing so if this is what was expected! My belief is that you live your life by example, and not by a caption on a magazine! If there ever has been any confusion about my sexuality, then you are someone that doesn't even know me!"
"I love living my life being open and honest, but at this time I choose not to discuss my private life any further! My fellow band members don't discuss their private lives with their loved ones and I don't feel that just because I am gay, I should have to discuss mine!"
A screencap of his blog post (thanks, Kevin) is AFTER THE JUMP.
Back in 2009, an ex-boyfriend of Knight's told the National Enquirer that he had dated the boy band member.
Watch a short, recent interview with Knight, wherein he talks about his non-musical career in real estate, AFTER THE JUMP.
So many exclamation points! But good for him.
Posted by: That Burning Sensation | Jan 29, 2011 12:00:57 PM
I know! Six exclamation points and one period! Wow.
Posted by: Joseph | Jan 29, 2011 12:12:56 PM
lol That Burning Sensation... I was thing the same thing. Too many exclamation points!
Posted by: Vito | Jan 29, 2011 12:13:12 PM
LOL, $40 to read their blog? Hell even with all the other "benefits" they throw in, that's still absurd.
A real sign that they are broke and desparate
Posted by: Jack | Jan 29, 2011 12:22:07 PM
I wouldn't pay 40 dollars.
But I am happy for him. Good luck for him.
Posted by: Matt26 | Jan 29, 2011 12:25:37 PM
And he has a point though!
Posted by: Rowan | Jan 29, 2011 12:34:05 PM
Where is the video/interview?
Posted by: Critifur | Jan 29, 2011 12:35:02 PM
They probably think the original fans can afford $40 now.
Posted by: sylvatica | Jan 29, 2011 12:37:53 PM
The exclamation points are really not needed, but even less needed are the stereotypically catty responses. Twenty years are a long time to be out, and now he's more "out" than most of us.
Posted by: ophu | Jan 29, 2011 1:05:05 PM
I gotta ask: who?
Posted by: Sean R | Jan 29, 2011 1:10:02 PM
I didn't know he was gay until now
Posted by: Grover Underwood | Jan 29, 2011 1:27:46 PM
HA! The exclamation points make me think of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rd7j-aSqFU
Posted by: marco | Jan 29, 2011 1:32:15 PM
Yes there are many exclamation points! But think about this! Like wouldn't it be so much more annoying? If he phrased everything like a question? Like one of those girls you see at the mall? Or in the record store buying a Lady Caca CD? Or at the Orange Julius in the food court? Ending every sentence with a question mark? Like this? I'm glad he is open and honest? Cuz like that's totally awesome yknow?
Posted by: EO | Jan 29, 2011 1:32:15 PM
Learn the proper use of exclamation marks! Otherwise they lose all meaning! Then you just look like you're being an ass!
And NEWSFLASH! YOU chose to be a public figure and a celebrity. By definition that means that you give away some of your privacy and in return are well compensated. National Enquirer, People, US, etc. didn't come into being because of celebrities' right to privacy.
Posted by: TampaZeke | Jan 29, 2011 1:37:38 PM
Ricky Martin and the "Just Jack" queen from Will &Grace should take note. Announcing the obvious makes you look stupid and clueless. And it doesn't help sell bad albums or Broadway tickets.
Thanks Jonathan, I finally have a favorite NKOTB!
Posted by: Not Into You | Jan 29, 2011 1:42:26 PM
Maybe he should work on having the first and last "classic" NKOTB albums reissued so the fat Simpsons Comic Book Guy's around the country will stop trying to sell them for hundreds of dollars and HE can keep the money?
Posted by: Scott | Jan 29, 2011 1:45:39 PM
My first response was who is Jonathan Knight? After googling him I still could care less.
Posted by: Brad | Jan 29, 2011 1:58:21 PM
Weird, this has been common knowledge in Boston for at least a decade, maybe more. Or at least, among the Boston folk who remembered who NKOTB was. Nobody cared then, nobody cares now.
Posted by: NaughtyLola | Jan 29, 2011 1:59:13 PM
!
Posted by: bozemanmontana | Jan 29, 2011 2:16:33 PM
The $39.95 is to cover the costs of punctuation. Without exclamation points it only costs $3.95!
By the end of the quote I was exhausted! Worn out! But happy and aroused, too!!!!!
They are infectious and well worth the extra cost!
Posted by: I'M SO EXCITED!!! | Jan 29, 2011 2:17:17 PM
After 20 comments whe we have not near enough for the gay Ugandan, commenters, you ALL seem to care! Fact!
Posted by: Rowan | Jan 29, 2011 2:54:11 PM
I've no idea who Knight is, but find myself unable to respect him or any self indulgent exclamation point glutton.
Posted by: Bryan | Jan 29, 2011 3:13:21 PM
@bryan: i love that people still take pride in not knowing who other people are! wait i need some more enthusiasm for you!!!!!!!
Posted by: mld | Jan 29, 2011 3:44:10 PM
Jonathan Knight might be out now but, when he was having hits with NKOTB, he was part of the heterosexual image designed by the record company. This is what record companies do - they have board meetings where things like image are discussed. In almost all discussions, it is insisted upon that male singers must promote themselves as strictly heterosexual.
It is well known at board level that such hetero-normative rules are placed upon these male recording acts before they are even signed to a contract.
Posted by: brian | Jan 29, 2011 5:14:14 PM
Well, congrats to Mr. Knight for coming out publicly -- exclamation points and all! :-)
So when is someone from the Backstreet Boys gonna come out, then??
Posted by: JSH | Jan 29, 2011 7:07:38 PM