Barry Manilow says he didn't come out as gay for decades because it could've 'killed' his career
The singer-songwriter also told Chris Wallace, "Talking about my personal life was just kind of creepy to me. So I never did."
Barry Manilow waited decades to publicly come out as a gay man, and now he's getting more candid about his reasons why.
On the latest episode of Who's Talking to Chris Wallace? on Max, Manilow sat down with the veteran journalist to discuss his life and career, and why, after 39 years with his manager and now husband, Garry Kief, he chose to come out in 2017, at 73. At the time, the legendary singer-songwriter told PEOPLE he thought it would've been "disappointing" for fans if they knew he was gay, but now he says there was more to it.
"Well, in the '70s, you know, you didn't [come out]," Manilow told Wallace. "It wasn't the same as it is today. Now being gay is no big deal. But back in the '70s, it would have killed a career."
He continued: "The public was not ready for anybody to come out. And, frankly, it was just too personal. I just didn't want to talk about my personal life anyway. I never did that. I was happy talking about music. But talking about my personal life was just kind of creepy to me. So I never did."
Asked by Wallace if he felt like he had to hide who he was, Manilow said he "never thought about it."
"Honestly, Chris, it was a non-event," Manilow said. "And when we came out, it was — I think everybody knew that Garry and I were a couple all those years."
Manilow and Kief met in 1978, with the latter becoming the "Mandy" crooner's manager shortly after. The two wed in 2014, and Manilow credits Kief with saving his life.
Barry joined #ChrisWallace to talk about his Broadway musical "Harmony," the story behind one of his biggest hits "Copacabana," and writing the commercial jingles we know and love.
Stream the full episode on @StreamOnMax now! pic.twitter.com/94nU7HAM7m— Barry Manilow (@barrymanilow) November 10, 2023
"Garry actually kind of saved my life, because as my career exploded, as I said, it was crazy, and going back to an empty hotel room, you could get into a lot of trouble if you're alone night after night," Manilow explained. "But I met Garry right when everything was exploding, and I didn't have to go back to those empty hotel rooms. I had somebody to cry with or to celebrate with."
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