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Is Robbie Williams gay?

by J.A. Lopata

Hunky and sensitive British pop music star Robbie Williams is considering a lawsuit against U.K.’s People tabloid, which announced that he is indeed gay.
He claims to be an unequivocal heterosexual.
The published newspaper account links him in a kiss-and-tell story with handsome dancer Nathan Conroy, who claims that Williams “begged” him to have sex in a bathroom at a bar. Conroy alleges that Williams “showed some experience in gay sex.”
Despite the fact that he is currently dating “Nip/Tuck” actress Valerie Cruz, and that he has had romantic liaisons with such women as Cameron Diaz and Geri Haliwell, public questions have circulated for years about Williams’ sexual orientation.
Howard Donald, former member of Williams’ band Take That, said in a documentary that Williams “might be gay.” And a former manager of Williams declared him “totally gay.”
The rumors come in large part due to Williams’ own actions.
During one press interview he called wrestler The Rock “hot.” At another time Williams claims to have faked a photo of himself leaving a gay store hand in hand with another guy, just to get paparazzi off his back.
Why would he take such confusing actions?
“I’m championing the cause for straight pop stars to act gay,” said Williams over a year ago. “I mean, I’m heterosexual and I’ve never gotten down and dirty with a man. If the fancy takes me, I probably would, but it just doesn’t.”

This piece first appeared in "In Newsweekly: New England's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender newspaper."

September 9, 2004