(Thumbnail image: New York Daily News)
“She was once rumored to be romancing her duet partner, Brad Paisley. But Academy of Country Music Award winner Chely Wright tells People.com, after years of secrecy, she’s ready to go public with her private life.”
Chely Wright’s big announcement has many wondering whether the conservative country crowd will accept a gay artist. Wright had a No. 1 country hit in 1999 with her song, “Single White Female.” But TMZ questions whether she has enough star power for her coming out to make an impact.
“It’s Chely Wright.
Chely Wright.
It’s not Chely Wright. It’s Cheryl Wright.
It is Chely Wright? What’s her name?
Well whatever it is, she’s a really big star. And she’s gay. And apparently a country music singer.”
But E! Online’s Leslie Gornstein says country fans know who Wright is, and that they’re who matters.
“Wright's lesbianage is, in fact, news to a large number of shocked, Jesus-loving, fanny-pack-wearing fans who have, until today, never witnessed a mainstream, perky, country hitmaker come out. …to longtime country fans, this is huge news.”
Wright’s announcement has some comparing her to country singer k.d. lang, who came out in the ‘90s. But a writer for The Huffington Post says Wright’s physical features put her at higher risk for rejection.
“Ms. lang…was openly butchy enough from the start that she probably didn't leave too many red-blooded, blue-balled male country fans stunned or heartbroken …Wright, on the other hand, is what they used to call a fox, heterosexually speaking, and does stand to lose something...”
Wright releases a new album this week, which has some suspicious of money-making motives. The Hollywood Gossip says the timing makes her announcement insincere.
“…Wright's admissions would seem less opportunistic if they came during a week that did not involve the release of an autobiography and a new album.”
Whether Wright made the right choice in coming out remains to be seen. But a blogger for CMT says she might not be the last leading lady to be a lesbian.
“…there are probably plenty of homosexuals involved in country music right this minute, she is the first one to admit it.”
What do you think? Will the country crowd accept a down-home lesbian?
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