NKOTB Jonathan Knight: I'm Gay
Credit: Barry King/WireImage.com
He had millions of crazed, weeping female fans screaming his name in the late 80s, but New Kid on the Block Jonathan Knight has an announcement: He's gay.
The singer, who is about to hit the road with his boy band mates plus the Backstreet Boys, spoke up for himself after fellow 80s icon Tiffany (and one-time girlfriend) accidentally revealed his sexuality during a live TV interview.
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Explaining that he's been out of the closet for two decades, Knight, 42, said in a statement (posted at Towleroad.com):
"I have never been outed by anyone but myself! I did so almost twenty years ago. I never knew 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 prerequisite 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!"
During an appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, "I Think We're Alone Now" singer Tiffany dished that she and Jonathan dated back when she toured with the hugely popular group.
"[He] became gay later," Tiffany joshed. "I didn't do it. I had issues with that. I was thinking maybe I did. Now looking back when we were dating, he was so much fun. We used to do facials together. He was so easy to talk to."
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Adds Knight in his statement: "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!"
Tell Us What You Think
32wth!! First i find out the love of my life as of age 15, Lance Bass is Gay....and now I find out my childhood sweet heart, John Knight is Gay too!! FML....im beginning to see a pattern here!! lol
I just read this for the first time, I still love ya!!! Its a shock though!!!
Jon i love you no matter what i have loves you since 87 you are such amamzing man.
I am proud of Jon no matter what
so what if jon is gay?? I think he is a wonderful and talented man and this should not affect his reality career or singing career. I think he is wonderful. I have loved new kids on the block for most of my child and adult life and continue to love and support the group and this will never change my mind about Jon. If you respect Jon and respect his family. brother and other members of the band then this will not affect you. IF YOU love and respect Jon then please fans respect the fact that Jon wants to keep his sexuality and private life to himself and its really his choice who he chooses to date and anyone would be lucky to have him because Jon is awesome in my opinion and I will always love his music and the music of Nkotb and will continue to respect his choice .
Good for you John!! I'll be your fan no matter who you are!! Damn I've always liked you since my elementary school days and I'll always admire you no matter what!! Cheers!!
OK so he has always been my fantasy guy and now he is even more perfect! True to self, true to his fans and a married woman's best friend!!! The hot "safe" guy you can do all your favorite things with and your husband won't get mad or jealous... well... too jealous! He is after all still a NKOTB!
Ooh, baby
I wasn't too shocked when I heard that Jon Knight was gay, back in the NKOTB days - Jon was alway the quiet, sensitive guy who sung back up. Not to stereo-type or anything. I was in love with Jordan Knight, yeah!! Until of course, he popped up on the Surreal Life, ugh! LOL, NKOTB - they are still so bubblegum. You could not pay me enough to go on a cruise , LMAO!
I wasn't too shocked when I heard that Jon Knight was gay, back in the NKOTB days - Jon was alway the quiet, sensitive guy who sung back up. Not to stereo-type or anything. I was in love with Jordan Knight, yeah!! Until of course, he popped up on the Surreal Life. I loved Donnie Walhberg in BoomTown, I wish he'd drop this nonsense and go back to acting.
I agree with everyone else guy or not .I jon is still my favorite ..
tell me something i dont know love you jon
MY DREAMS HAVE BEEN RUINED
No negative comments, I love this! You were and always will be my favorite.
When I was a teenager my room was nothing but posters, a cardboard stand-up and a doll on my bed of Jon Knight. LMAO...at bedtime, I cuddled with that doll or cutout. I close my eyes and went into fantasyland that we were together and we had a beautiful life. Today, my mother jokes with me about my teenage years and my life today. Like she said to me one time..."Melanie, you didn't marry your dream man but you married a man with the same name just spelled different". No matter if Jon is gay or not. If I had a shot of sleeping with him..."I would".
You know, it does NOT matter if my long time first love, Jonathan Knight, is gay. As long as he is happy, I am in full support of his happiness.
Gay or not Jonathan is an awesome man.
Has anyone else noticed that it's coming out season in Hollywood? See who else is prancing out of the proverbial closet @imeanwhat http://bit.ly/eqPktJ
Society makes me laugh! I hate people that stereotype and that are hypocrites. Who cares if a person is gay, straight, bi-sexual or whatever the case may be. If Jon wanted to have relations with an animal (even though its against the law in some states) that is for his information and not the medias or anyone is the community to know. Its people like these groups that make people like Jon be forced to speak about their lifestyle and when they do their still afraid because of what people think and might do to them and ask the question "why did I just tell the world about my lifestyle"? If I was Knight's attorney I would ask for a gag order on all press, media and internet. Jon, if your reading this..."I back you up 100%. There is nothing in our laws that says that anyone needs to know anyone's lifestyle. Be proud of who you are!!! Only you can make yourself happy and if anyone doesn't like it, then that is their issue to deal with. Good luck on your upcoming tours. If anyone has a beef with me about what is said here...I can be reached at paralegal0911@yahoo. Blessed Be!
Jonathan Knight is awesome. He said a really cool statement that makes sense. Why in the world does he have to tell a magazine that, Yep, I'm Gay!! He was honest in saying that he lives his life openly and that if you wanted to know if he was gay, all you had to do was ask. I commend him for being honest and living his life as he wants.