Which nkotb member is gay
HGTV’s Jonathan Knight Pens Emotional Message on National Coming Out Day
Before heading to bed on October 11, 2022, HGTV host — and New Kids on the Block member — Jonathan Knight took time to speak up about coming out. The “Farmhouse Fixer” host didn’t want to let National Coming Out Day complete without adding his two cents about the importance of authenticity and inclusivity.
Jonathan Knight Offers Encouragement to Those Struggling to Come Out
GettyGettyJonathan Knight in 2018 with then-fiancé Harley Rodriguez
National Coming Out Day was first observed by the Human Rights Campaign in 1988 to commemorate the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights anniversary. The organization says the purpose of the annual observance is to “promote a safe, inclusive and loving society where LGBTQ+ people can live truthfully, openly and without fear.”
Knight, who confirmed in August that he married his longtime love Harley Rodriguez, took to Twitter at the end of the day writing, “On this #nationalcomingoutday I head to bed knowing the struggles so many encounter. My life changed when I was able to reside my authentic life! Come out
New Kid on the Block Jonathan Knight Comes Out of the Closet
He had millions of crazed, weeping female fans screaming his name in the late Eighties, 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 Eighties 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 20 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 experience very openly and have never hidden the fact that I am gay! Apparently the prerequisite to being a gay universal 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!”
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During an appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, &#
New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight is a proud newlywed these days, but he says he felt “a lot of pressure” to obscure his true self during the early stages of his music career.
Knight, who is gay, appeared this week on the “Frosted Tips with Lance Bass” podcast, where he shared the painful memory of being told by a manager that his time as a pop singer would be “over” if he addressed his sexuality publicly.
“My manager knew I was gay,” Knight recalled to Bass. “He pulled me aside and he was like: ‘If anybody finds out, then your career’s over, the New Kids’ careers [are] over ... Sony’s gonna lose money.’ It was just so much pressure. Looking back, that was a lot of pressure to put on somebody who is just trying to figure out the world themselves.”
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
A Boston native, Knight was just 17 when the Recent Kids on the Block released their self-titled debut album in 1986. The boy band ― which includes Knight’s brother Jordan, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood ― became one of MTV’s most popular acts two years later, when their second album, “Hangin’ Tough,” turned out to be a global smash.
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New Kids On The Block Singer Jonathan Knight Opens Up About 'Pressure' to Hide His Sexuality
New Kids on the Block's Jonathan Knight is happily married to longtime partner Harley Rodriguez, and is living his animation in truth and with joy. However, that freedom and openness wasn't always something he felt was an option.
During a recent episode of the podcast Frosted Tips with Lance Bass, Knight opened up to Bass and Joey Fatone about his experiences with being essentially forced to hold his sexuality a secret during his band's early years.
"My manager knew I was gay," Knight explained, adding that it wasn't something he hadn't realized. But rather, it was something he felt he couldn't share.
"Did they ever tell you you can't say anything?" Bass asked.
"My manager actually did. He pulled me aside and was favor, 'If anybody finds out, your career is over. The New Kids' career is over. My career is over,'" Knight recalled. "It was just so much pressure."
"Looking advocate , that was a lot of pressure to put on somebody who's just trying to figure out the earth themselves," he continued, adding that, "As it went along, the stress built up and built up and built up.