Barry Manilow comes out as gay – two years after marrying his husband
Legendary singer Barry Manilow has come out as gay – after 40 years of being with his husband.
Manilow, famous for hits like Mandy, Copacabana and Looks Like We Made It, said he was worried about “disappointing” his primarily female fans, so he hid his sexuality.
The 73-year-old entertainer, who has won Grammys, an Emmy and a Special Tony Award, is married to his manager Garry Kief, who he has now been with for 40 years.
The pair wed at their home in Palm Springs in April 2014.
Although reports were never officially confirmed, Manilow’s sexuality had already long been an open secret among the singer’s fans.
Speaking to People Magazine, Manilow said the speculation had been a “blessing and a curse,” explaining: “I’m so private and I always have been.”
He added that he had always been anxious about the way his supporters would react.
“I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything.”
But he began to realise he had underestimated them when news of his wedding started coming out.
“When they found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy. The reaction was so beautiful — strangers commenting, ‘Great for you!’” he said.
“I’m just so grateful for it. Thank goodness we’re still together and we’re in good shape, too.”
Kief is Manilow’s manager and president of Barry Manilow Productions, as well as his husband.
Manilow was previously married to his high school sweetheart Susan Deixler for a year.
He told People he had not been struggling with his sexuality during that marriage and that he was in fact “in love” with Susan, but he just hadn’t been mature enough to settle down.
