Top 10 Celebs Who Shot Down Homophobic Interview Questions
#10: Johnny Galecki “The View” (1997-)
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Rumors regarding “The Big Bang Theory” actor’s sexuality have always been rife. However, he never really addressed them. Galecki initially looks confused when the hosts absentmindedly throw his sexuality and relationship status into the conversation. He explains that since there’s not much bad press on him out there, people need to make up stories. Galecki added that he has no reason or desire to respond to those whispers. In hindsight, host Whoopi Goldberg notes the ridiculousness of the conversation. But it’s too late; it’s already out there. Kudos to Galecki for giving such a classy and respectful response.
#9: George Michael
The late great George Michael was a huge advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and unapologetic about his sexuality. He used his platform to campaign for causes close to his heart, such as HIV/AIDS awareness. Society and Michael’s career kept him in the closet for years until an incident in 1998 led to his arrest and forced him to come out. In subsequent years,he criticized mainstream media for trying to box the LGBTQ+ community into “doing what makes straight people comfortable.” He also blasted homophobes in many-an-interview. Michael was never interested in their views or perceptions of him beyond his music. He also declared that he has “nothing to apologize for.” Too right, George Michael, too right.
#8: Tom Hardy
Top 20 Celebs Who Shot Down Homophobic Interview Questions
Tom Hardy’s a talented actor who’s given us gripping performances in movies like “Locke,” “Mad Max,” and “The Drop.” However, a reporter from Daily Extra wasn’t interested in any of that. During a press conference promoting Hardy’s “Legend” at the Toronto International Film Festival, a correspondent tried to get Hardy to speak about his personal life. The actor eloquently and calmly called out the invasive question and quickly shut it down. He later explained that he isn’t obliged to answer personal queries and called the question “inelegant and humiliating” and “quite rude.” What’s baffling is that it came from an LGBTQ+ publication. You would think they’d understand how personal sexuality can be. In any case, Hardy’s well-mannered and even-tempered response was perfect.
#7: Paul McCartney “The Tomorrow Show”(1973-81)
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When you have a musical legend as major as a former Beatle on your show, we imagine you’d have a lot of questions. Asking how rockstar bachelor life compares to marriage probably shouldn’t even break the top 100, but McCartney rolls with it. While his response is very nonchalant the host seems thrown by the idea that the world isn’t entirely heterosexual. McCartney’s dry retort, and his wife’s bemused expression tell us what they think about the boneheaded question. The singer can’t help getting in one final jibe at the presenter before moving the conversation forward. While Snyder’s inquiry was bad, the McCartneys’ response only made us love them more.
#6: Lady Gaga “60 Minutes Overtime” (2010-)
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Remember when the media and public obsessed over Lady Gaga’s genitalia? Well, one person who had no intention of jumping on that bandwagon was the “Born This Way” singer herself. She was usually known to crack jokes about these baseless claims with her fans during concerts. And she had the best response to these rumors when she was asked about them during a “60 Minutes Overtime” interview with Anderson Cooper. Rather than confirm whether or not it’s true, she ridiculed the entire conversation. Gaga’s LGBTQ+ fans applauded her for refusing to validate the gossip. They thanked her for standing up for them in a world that tries to shame them for who they are.
#5: Janet Mock “Piers Morgan Live” (2011-)
In 2014, Transgender activist and actress Janet Mock appeared on Piers Morgans’ show to promote her book “Redefining Realness.” However, the presenter seemed more interested in discussing her transition. Morgan showed a disrespectful lack of understanding or compassion for the transgender experience. The “Pose” actress called out Morgan for trying to use her life for entertainment value and for his “reductive thinking about gender.” She later appeared on “The Colbert Report” to discuss the contentious interview. In 2017, after the Breakfast Club presenters and their guest Lil Duval made horrendously offensive comments about trans women and mocked her book. This prompted Mock to write a powerful essay for “Allure”. She’d had enough of the ignorance and implored people to educate themselves.
#4: Melissa Etheridge “The View” (1997-)
While appearing on “The View,” the singer-song-writer expressed her disappointment over proposition 8, which invalidated same-sex marriages in California. She politely called out “The View” co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck for “misleading” viewers on the matter in a previous episode. After a mildly heated debate over marriage equality, Etheridge point blankly asked Hasselbeck whether she was a supporter of same-sex marriage. The presenter refused to answer the question and simply repeated that prop 8 wasn’t personal to her. We admire Etheridge’s ability to stay cool, calm, and collected in the tense situation. The debate ended with Sherri Shepherd sending the singer to perform her song and suggesting they continue the discussion at a later date.
#3: Madonna
Madonna is arguably one of the LGBTQ+ community’s biggest allies. In 1991 while promoting her “Truth or Dare” documentary, the singer was questioned about her openness to sex and sexuality. She said that the lack of conversation surrounding these subjects contributed to some of society’s biggest problems. Madonna hoped her actions and the dialogue they created would better educate young people and help them become more accepting of others. The “Vogue” singer also called out the hypocrisy over the double standards in American media. In another interview, when challenged over how her documentary could offend homophobes, Madonna made it very clear that she couldn’t care less.
#2: Ricky Martin
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In 2010, Ricky Martin decided to live life as an out and proud gay man. But the “Livin’ La Vida Loca” singer often found his sexuality at the center of the rumor mill before this point. In 2000, journalist Barbara Walters tried to push a visibly uncomfortable Martin to address his sexuality in a televised interview. Watching her force him into the hot seat is incredibly painful to watch. Years later, he recalled how violated he felt by her incessant questioning. He added that trying to force someone to come out was just wrong. In 2006 Walters acknowledged that her invasive questions were out of line. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Ariana Grande, “Power 106 FM” Grande Also Had to Shut Down Sexist Comments during This Very Same Interview Mariah Carey, “Total Request Live” (1998-2019) Go, Mariah! Don’t Let Carson Daly or Anyone Else Tell What People Can or Can’t Wear Ellen DeGeneres, “The Howard Stern Show” DeGeneres Called Out Caitlyn Jenner’s Struggles With Marriage Equality
#1: Laverne Cox “Katie” (2012-14)
This actress and LGBTQ+ activist is a fierce advocate for transgender equality and visibility. Cox never shies away from educating on transgender issues and has no problem putting people in their place when necessary. On one ocassion, she politely explained to Wendy Williams what it means to be transgender while refusing to engage in conversation about her breasts. Cox also clapped back at Travis Weber when he insisted that trans women shouldn’t be allowed to use female bathrooms. However, the most famous occasion might be when she overheard Katie Couric asking model Carmen Carrera inappropriate and uncomfortable questions about her physical appearance. Cox stepped in and respectfully explained why questions like these are problematic.
