Headlines: Clay Aiken on Coming Out, AGT Winner Talks Racism

How I Came Out in Hollywood: A Decade-by-Decade Oral History – For any LGBTQ person, there is no bigger game-changer than coming out. It’s a rite of passage equal parts terrifying and liberating — and all the more so when you do it in the public eye. For its first Pride issue, THR turns to some of the most famous faces to have ever emerged from the Hollywood closet to learn what they were thinking before, during and after the biggest decision of their lives. CLAY AIKEN, SINGER/ACTIVIST, 41 I think America knew I was gay before I did. I grew up in the South in an era when either you were out because you were very obviously gay or you were closeted. And I know I ain’t nobody’s lumberjack, but I wasn’t quite as — whatever that is, you know? – Read more at Hollywood Reporter

Gabby Barrett Talks Debut Album ‘Goldmine,’ Life Before ‘American Idol’ and Teases Duet With Husband Cade Foehner – Gabby Barrett first won the hearts of millions during her trek on Season 16 of American Idol in 2018, and after finishing third on the show, she released her debut single “I Hope,” proving herself to be an incredibly talented singer/songwriter. Since then, Barrett has went on to earn a whirlwind of success from breaking records and topping charts to receiving her first No. 1 single with “I Hope” and becoming the first-ever female country artist to amass over 10 million single week streams (notching 11.3 million). The success doesn’t stop there either as we are just under 2-weeks away from the release of her debut album, Goldmine, which is slated for release on June 19 via Warner Music Nashville and is guaranteed to be a huge success. – Read more at MusicMayhem

WATCH: Kree Harrison Teases Upcoming Album “Chosen Family Tree” – Kree Harrison has spent these last few years hard at work in Nashville making new music, and fans will finally be able to hear it when she releases her sophomore album Chosen Family Tree on Friday, June 12. The multi-talented Texas born and raised performer says that the album is “country for sure…but because I grew up listening to a lot more than country like Otis Redding, who I practically worship, there is a lot of soul in there. There’s something about the dreamy steel guitar in country music and the horns on a great soul song that gets to me, both are my medicine.” – Read more at CelebritySecretCountry

‘AGT’ Winner Landau Murphy Jr. My Time On The Show Was Mostly Great … But I Never Got Asked Back – Former “America’s Got Talent” champ Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. says he had a much different experience on set than Gabrielle Union … but there’s one thing that’s still bothering him. Landau — who won season 6 of ‘AGT’ — tells TMZ … he didn’t experience any overt racism or discrimination on the show like Gabrielle claims, but he’s bummed out because even though he won, he never got asked back on the show.While Landau isn’t certain why ‘AGT’ gave him the cold shoulder … he does wonder if it has anything to do with what went down in Vegas after he was crowned. Landau thought things were going swimmingly, his residency shows seemed packed, but the shot callers apparently saw it differently … and he tells us what led to his early Sin City exit. He suspects that’s playing a role in the radio silence with the show. – Read more at TMZ

Katy Perry Recalls How Harry Styles Was a ‘Complete Gentleman’ After Learning She Was Pregnant – Harry Styles had the sweetest reaction during an unexpected run-in with pal Katy Perry. The pregnant American Idol judge — who was a guest judge during season 7 of U.K.’s The X Factor in 2010, which saw the genesis of One Direction — recalled in a Tuesday conversation with Scott Mills for his BBC Radio 1 show that she spilled the baby beans to Styles, 26, on a plane before announcing her news to the rest of the world. “We were having a conversation and I was like, ‘Yeah, and I’m pregnant,’ just off the cuff — ’cause I was like, ‘What else do you say?!’ ” shared Perry, 35. Styles was “so happy” for her and “so sweet,” the “Daisies” singer continued, immediately offering her his seat on the plane to continue their conversation. – Read more at People

About mj santilli 34830 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!