News from the block: singer Jonathan Knight has revealed that he is, indeed, gay... not that he was hiding it.
The New Kids On The Block singer confirmed his sexuality in a post to fans on the band's official website, confirming the speculation that had arisen after one-time tourmate and love interest, 80's popstar Tiffany, outed him on Bravo's 'Watch What Happens: Live' television show.
His statement (via Towleroad):
"I have never been outed by anyone but myself! I did so almost twenty 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 life very openly and have never hidden the fact that I am gay! Apparently the pre requisite to being a gay public 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! My belief is that you live your life by example, and not by a caption on a magazine! If there ever has been any confusion about my sexuality, then you are someone that doesn't even know me!
I love living my life being open and honest, but at this time I choose not to discuss my private life any further! My fellow band members don't discuss their private lives with their loved ones and I don't feel that just because I am gay, I should have to discuss mine!"
Here's how the outing went down: when asked if she had ever had a relationship with a New Kid On The Block while she toured with the boy band, she said:
"The quiet one, the shy one. [He] became gay later. I didn't do it. I had issues with that. I was thinking maybe I did. Now looking back when we were dating, he was so much fun. We used to do facials together. He was so easy to talk to."
She later said she felt awful about the slipup, but Knight defended her and said that there were no hard feelings:
I'd also appreciate it if the people talking trash about Tiffany and Deborah knock it off and stop being nasty!
@tiffanytunes Tiff, please don't lose any sleep over it! I know you weren't being mean and I found it to be funny!
Knight, who has gone into real estate since the New Kids broke up, is back on tour with the band -- they reunited in 2008 for their first performance in 15 years -- and tour mates The Backstreet Boys. In 2008, a Brazilian man alleging to be Knight's ex-boyfriend sold his story and photos to the National Enquirer.