May 2nd, 2010
There’s been a lot of buzz and speculation over which celebrity will be coming out on the cover of People Magazine this week. TMZ has learned that it is Country and Western singer Chely Wright, who will release her new memoir, Like Me, and a new CD this week.
The Kansas native released her first album in 1994, but she didn’t attain commercial success until her top twenty single “Shut Up and Drive” in 1997. Her 1999 album, Single White Female, went gold and yielded several top hits, including the title song. Another popular song, “Bumper of My S.U.V.,” was written in response to an irate woman who noticed a United States Marine Corps bumper sticker on the back of Wright’s car.
This something of a risk for Chely. When k.d. lang came out of the closet in 1992, that revelation was met with blacklistings on several Country radio stations all across North America, and her career suffered something of a setback. Since then however, lang has “crossed over” — or more accurately, obliterated the boundaries between country and all other styles of music. Not only does wright’s music have the same potential, but she is also well known as a devout Christian and a keen supporter of the U.S. military.
Wright’s new CD, Lifted Off the Ground, will reportedly include a list of pro-LGBT resources – including GLSEN, Interfaith Alliance, and Faith In America in its liner notes.
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beachewtoy75
May 2nd, 2010
Um… who?
Lucrece
May 2nd, 2010
Yeah, beach’s comment will reflect the mainstream.
Regardless of her being obscure the general public, I doubt this will be anything good for her.
Eric Alba took a bullet and served, and the rednecks didn’t dislike him less for it.
You could be Mother Teresa and still be Satan to these people for being gay.
Piper
May 2nd, 2010
I am actually a fan of hers! And I had no clue that she was gay. I loved “Bumper of my SUV” I actually thought she was married with kids. But her voice is great, and she isn’t really the most mainstream country artist. I think anyone who is already a fan won’t really care, and those who don’t know her won’t really notice the news. But I could be wrong.
Gavin
May 2nd, 2010
No offence to Ms Wright but does anybody care? Coming out (especially as a celebrity) takes guts and good luck to her but I feel People really took us for a ride on this one.
Ryan
May 2nd, 2010
Sigh. Well, good for her, I guess. It would be nice if it were somebody actually famous, though.
Soren456
May 2nd, 2010
Every little bit helps.
Maybe she will also renounce her Christianity?
AJD
May 2nd, 2010
Kind of lame that TMZ spoiled it, but I was hoping it would be someone more well-known, like a Hollywood actor/actress.
Timothy Kincaid
May 2nd, 2010
This is a bit surprising. The cover of People? All the big talk shows?
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was an error or a ruse. Howard Bragman plays with the big boys and she doesn’t seem to be high-profile enough for him.
Ryan
May 2nd, 2010
If this is real, don’t be surprised to see more non-celebrities coming out, just to get their name out there. It’s funny, there’s kind of a bell curve when it comes to celebrities coming out, now. If you’re really famous, it will hurt your career, but if you’re up-and-coming (Chely Wright, Reichen Lehmkuhl) or a has-been (Lance Bass, Ricky Martin), it can help. I wonder if we’re going to get some straight soap star coming forward at some point, saying he’s gay, so he can get on The View and plug his new independent movie.
Tony P
May 2nd, 2010
That would explain why I had no recognition of her. C&W is completely out of my frame of reference.
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