Country Star Chely Wright Done Hiding, Comes Out

By PopEater Staff Posted May 3rd 2010 12:05PM

The speculation is over, the rumors confirmed: The star coming out in this week's PEOPLE magazine is country singer Chely Wright, the first artist to rock her conservative-leaning genre with such news.

"Nothing in my life has been more magical than the moment I decided to come out. I hid everything for my music," Wright tells PEOPLE. The 39-year-old songstress behind the hit 'Single White Female' was raised in the South in "a community in which homosexuality was shunned."

Wright was hesitant to make the announcement for many years. "There had never, ever been a country music artist who had acknowledged his or her homosexuality," she says in PEOPLE's story, on newsstands Friday. "I wasn't going to be the first."

Wright recorded 'Hard to Be a Husband, Hard to Be a Wife' with Brad Paisley, to whom she was once romantically linked.

The announcement is part of a big week for Wright: Her memoir, 'Like Me,' and her first record in five years, 'Lifted off the Ground,' will both hit stores.

Various sources are beginning to speculate how Wright's announcement will play with conservative listeners in the country music community.

Watch the video for Wright's 1999 hit, 'Single White Female,' below:

Tags: Chely Wright

Comments

(73)

Monday 03 May

By Mikewheels312

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I USED TO LIKE CHELY, A LOT! TEH MUSIC INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY IN NASHVILLE, WILL TURN YOU AWAY CHELY!

By francis

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

what does her sexual preference have to do with you liking her music?

By nonofyourbusiness

You can be who ever you wanted to be. Its about happiness. Life is too short not to live to the fullest. You used to like her, now you don't. Would she care about how you feel? I don't think so.

By BCS

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Julie get real. The definition of a legal marriage has been changed already, to EXCLUDE same sex couples. Seems to me that teaching our children acceptance & tolerence of everyone is a much healthier way to go then continuing legal discrimination.

By Denise

Mike you used to like her or her music. Does her music not soung the same since she is being herself. Or was she a sex fantise for you? Just don't understant why you used to like her. Live and let live.

By Sue Craven

Get real!!! Being gay doesn't mean her voice has changed so why should that automatically make you stop liking her music. I don't understand why people can't just be happy for others, no matter what their orientation.

Tuesday 04 May

By Lindsey

Vote down Vote up Report this

Hey Mike, You are an idiot. It is people like you that make this world a sad place!

By spideyrocs

Um. KD Lang? Clay Aiken? Not the first babe, not by a long shot.

By equinox6915

she said the first country singer. they aren't country!

By KAREN

kd lang started in country, but was shunned....

By Mike

Way to go, Chely! All the best!

By TB

I am not sure who she is.

By Rodney

I think she'll be okay. It's the Dixie Chicks that cannot be forgiven. We do not have to agree with her personal choice, but she is doing nothing to injure our nation or her fans. True Christian Conservatives are understanding and forgiving; those who aren't, are not true to their faith.

WOW .... Rodney you are the first person I've "seen" that actually understands what being a Christian means!

By Anna L. Richard

Rodney, The Dixie Chicks were right and what is wrong with being RIGHT about the Right-Wing, President. If I'm correct they stated how they felt about former Pres. Bush, while on tour in England, had they said the same thing in the U. S. they would have had a hell of a lot more praise. I support anyone who speaks the truth and God knows, I was ashamed for all Texans. Bush will go down in history as being the worst President the U. S. has ever had as will his VP Cheney. People, however, should be what they are, sexually or otherwise...it's no one's business but their own, ala, Tiger Woods' ordeal, it's his and Elin's issue, nobody elses. He owes only Elin an apology. They'll handle it themselves without nosy outsiders.

By traci

Exactly Rodney, well said!...and add that true Christians know it is not our job to judge anyone ;)

By Angelia

As a Christian, and a country music fan, I to think Chely will be fine. If you are true to your Faith, you will accept her. In my opinion, Our God makes no mistakes, and He loves you, no matter what. And I for one do not think its anyones business what goes on in your bedroom. Good luck Chely, and God Bless you.

By guadsterg

All the Dixie Chicks did was be the first to speak out against Bush! Now everyone talks bad about him. So get over it!

By choarrimacolyte

No, guadsterg ... they talked bad about TEXAS. And anyone with any sense knows that's an unforgivable sin in country music!

Saturday 08 May

By DLDD

Rodney...that was SPOT ON!!! WTG!

Page 1 of 4