The singer famous for hits like Mandy, Looks Like We Made It and Copacabana has come out publicly in a recent interview.
Barry Manilow opened up to People magazine about why he had kept silent about his sexuality for so long. He said:
“I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything.”
In the revealing interview, he confirmed his long-term relationship with his manager, Garry Kief. The couple have been together since they met in 1978. Manilow told People:
“I knew that this was it. I was one of the lucky ones. I was pretty lonely before that.”
Manilow and Kief were married in 2014 in an intimate ceremony on their Palm Springs estate.
He spoke touchingly about the positive reaction he has received since his fans discovered the truth:
“When they found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy. The reaction was so beautiful – strangers commenting, ‘Great for you!’ I’m just so grateful for it’.”
He was previously married for a brief period to Susan Deixler. He explained her was “just was not ready for marriage”:
“I was out making music every night, sowing my wild oats — I was too young. I wasn’t ready to settle down. I was in love with Susan.”
Manilow’s 29th studio album, This Is My Town, is due for release on 21 April.
