Are they or aren't they?

Written By Ross von Metzke


Jodie Foster isn’t out—at least not in the traditional sense. She didn’t show up with her girlfriend on the steps of San Francisco’s City Hall when Mayor Gavin Newsom declared it OK for gays and lesbians to get married. There was no "Puppy Episode". No cover of The Advocate, no crude comments made by cast members which led to Jodie feeling backed into a corner. In fact, Jodie Foster has never—and may never—say those two little words that would confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that she’s a lesbian.

But does that mean she’s in the closet?   

We could spend all day trying to debate what Jodie’s really trying to tell us by making seven figure donations to The Trevor Project and waxing poetic in interviews about the “perfect Aryan total goddess” that is Uma Thurman, but the fact is she’s just one of many “maybe gay” celebrities the press has written about over the years. Whether it’s just a hunch, backed by photo evidence or something that’s just a known secret in and around Hollywood, every time you turn around it seems like another celebrity has jumped on the “could be, who knows” train.

So who among our favorite celebs could be gay and who is probably just an overblown crush taken to extremes? Beginning this week, we'll take a look at some of our favorite stars and decide whether it sounds like fact or is probably just fiction. See if your suspicions measure up, and join us next week for another six stars who "may be gay".

Zac Efron   

He’s just 19 years old, but as the new heartthrob of the moment—particularly one with bronzed cheek bones, sculpted abs and hair highlights to the max—the inevitable gay rumors have flown fast and furious.

 

Rumours to Support: In a time when metros are just a stone’s throw away from gay, the perfectly coiffed Zac isn’t just dodging advances from teenage girls anymore.

On the Contrary: He’s a 19-year-old pinup boy—they’re all well groomed. And it’s not like anyone’s ever seen him shutting down Tiger Heat in Weho or stumbling through Chelsea at the crack of dawn.

Likelihood He’s Gay: Three out of Ten—It’s certainly possible, but something tells us this one’s more wishful thinking.   

Leonardo Di Caprio   

Ever since Titanic, every time Leonardo and one of his supermodel girlfriends part ways, it’s because—according to the tabloids—he’s gay.   

 

Rumours to Support: Most rumored gay celebrities are linked to a veritable grab bag of lovers, but DiCaprio is almost exclusively linked with one—Spidey himself, Tobey Maguire.   

On the Contrary: The two have made no bones about it—they’re best friends, and we all know how Hollywood loves to read between the lines.   

Likelihood he’s gay: 50/50 split here… no one has ever really pushed the issue.   

Queen Latifah   

Music’s first female rap star has been dodging lesbian rumors for nearly two decades… and word on the street really heated up when she’s scored mass critical praise for her work as lesbian bank robber Cleo in Set It Off.   

 

Rumours to Support: Dana Owens has said numerous times Cleo is the role nearest and dearest to her heart. Latifah never seems to have a boyfriend, has said several times she plans to adopt and raise a baby on her own, and the well circulated pictures of Latifah (in cornrows, wife beater and Dickies) driving her Harley around Weho just scream “dykes on bikes”.

On the Contrary: While the lesbian community would be thrilled to label Latifah your standard butch, Miss Thang sure knows how to glam it up for the red carpet.

Likelihood She’s Gay: Eight out of Ten—Latifah and long-rumored girlfriend Jeanette Jenkins have been linked almost as long as Jodie and Cydney Bernard. But still, she’s never actually said those two little words.   

Tom Cruise   

Hollywood’s perennial “maybe gay”, since Top Gun made him a household name, photographers, tabloids and fans looking to cash in on a hot story have been trying to out Tom to the masses.

 

Rumours to Support: His marriage to Nicole Kidman always seemed like a sham to most Hollywood insiders—particularly coming off another “convenient” marriage to the woman who introduced Tom to Scientology, Mimi Rogers. Long the target of rumored affairs with porn stars and gay hustlers, Tom has beaten more than a few lawsuits into the ground that suggest he’s anything less than heterosexual.

On the Contrary: His marriage to Katie Holmes was consummated (as evidenced by baby Suri), which all but makes you forget the fact that he never had biological children with Nicole, one of the many things Hollywood used to support rumors the A-lister is gay.

Likelihood He’s Gay: Seven out of Ten—The rumors have died down a bit over the past couple of years (likely due to Kathy Griffin’s suggestion that “the gays don’t want him anymore”), but you can’t deny two decades of relentless probing.   

Kelly Clarkson   

Ever since the American Idol winner butched it up for her latest rock release My December, tabloids have been fishing for evidence that Kelly Clarkson prefers the company of women.   

 

Rumours to Support: Any time a pop tart turns in midrift bearing halters and the aide of a keyboard for something decidedly more a-sexual and a guitar, the rumors start to fly. Her lyrics as of late have gone from man loving to man hating—and we all know what middle America thinks of modern day feminists.

On the Contrary: The rumors aren’t so much about who Kelly’s been spotted with as they are kindling to the already raging fire that the anti-establishment singer will stop at nothing to stick it to uber-producer Clive Davis.   

Likelihood She’s Gay: Four out of Ten—It all seems too convenient, though chick rockers—think Pink—have certainly proven time and time again they’re not opposed to experimenting with swimming in the other side of the pool.   

Ricky Martin   

He’s been “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and charming the pants off men and women alike for nearly a decade, and the entire time fans have speculated on which of his fans he’d really rather “bang”.

 

Rumours to Support: You can’t hit the beach with your equally toned and hot “personal trainer” in a skimpy speedo for an intimate round of Yoga and not make people wonder; he’s never denied the rumors, he simply says he doesn’t talk about his personal life.

On the Contrary: When a fellow Latin crooner came out earlier this year, Ricky lent his support and said the music industry should be more open and accepting of gay singers… the perfect opportunity to make an announcement of his own if there was one to make, but he didn't take it.

Likelihood He’s Gay: Eight out of Ten—I suppose it could just be the Latin, metro thing, but all signs point to something deeper.   

© 2007 GayWired.com; All Rights Reserved

Comments

[Simon Q]

Haven't we got passed "is s(he) or isn't (s)he?" stage yet?

Maybe it's just none of your business.

[William]

Yeah, who cares... they're gay, they're not. Big deal. I wouldn't care if they all died to be honest.