In a new interview with Out Magazine, Maroon 5 front man and “The Voice” coach, Adam Levine, is speaking out on many issues in the gay community, including how parents could and should react to their children’s sexuality, and how “American Idol” deals with gay performers.
Levine first answered the magazine’s question about all the speculation that he’s gay.
“There’s no way to hide my straightness, but if people didn’t think there was a small chance I was gay, then I wouldn’t be doing my job very well…Look at the best ones, guys whose sexuality was always questioned…[David] Bowie. [Mick] Jagger. Freddie Mercury. I wouldn’t be the front man of a band if that question hadn’t come up at some point.”
However, what many people don’t know is that Levine does have firsthand experience with someone coming out…his younger brother.
“I can single-handedly dispel any ideas that sexuality is acquired…Trust me, you’re born with it. My brother is gay, and we knew when he was two. We all knew.”
The rocker says his family worked hard to let his brother know that his sexuality was okay, and that comfort is something parents and family need to give their child:
“A lot of people don’t want their kid to be gay and will fight it at all costs…But I’ve got news for you—it’s a losing f—–g battle. The more you fight it, the more f—-d-up your kid’s gonna be. You’ve just gotta embrace it from the beginning. That’s the only way to deal with it as a family. Otherwise, you’re just screwing yourself over, and you’re gonna make your kid miserable.”
As for the public view of gays in media, Levine said he is proud about how NBC’s “The Voice” treats its gay performers: there is no need to hide, and several competitors were out of the closet, including two that made it to the final round: Beverly McClellan and Vicci Martinez. The show’s competition, Fox’s “American Idol,” on the other hand, Levine had some words for:
“What’s always pissed me off about ‘Idol’ is wanting to mask that, for that to go unspoken…C’mon. You can’t be publicly gay? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break. You can’t hide basic components of these people’s lives. The fact that ‘The Voice’ didn’t have any qualms about being completely open about it is a great thing.”
The new issue of Out Magazine is on newsstands now.
Well Hooray for Adam!!!!! My son is gay and might i add i knew it from the very beggining. He was ridiculed in school right up until he beat the hell out of the biggest jock of the school.My son was raised with love and respect.I instilled in him if people want to call you names let themknow your the happiest and the best gay person they’ll ever meet in their life.And by the way that jock he knocked out has been his lover for going on 15 yrs.now.And proud of it.
I love your story, your message and your inspiration!! Thank you for sharing it. You and your son are lucky to have each other!!