Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who currently stars as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice,” took a hit at his TV competitor “American Idol” recently when he said that the latter show’s judges discourage LGBT contestants from publicizing their sexuality.
According to Reuters, Levine’s public criticism of “Idol” began during a new interview with Out magazine, in which the singer accused “Idol” judges of trying to “hide basic components of these people’s lives.”
“C’mon. You can’t be publicly gay? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break,” Levine said in the interview. He went on to add that he appreciates the fact that producers of “The Voice” had no reservations regarding openly gay participants.
Earlier this summer, Carson Daly (who hosts “The Voice” on NBC) told reporters for The Wrap that one of the beauties of the show’s inclusiveness is that it was never planned or premeditated. At the outset, Daly explained that “no one knew anything about anybody” – and rather than having “a gay friendly show on purpose,” the cast instead found themselves embracing the fact that “the gay community was so well represented in our show.”
“We were very proud of that,” Daly concluded.
While “The Voice” featured two openly gay contestants — Beverly McClellan and Vicci Martinez – during its premier season, “American Idol” winners Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken remained in the closet throughout their stints on the popular show, and came out only after their respective seasons came to a close.
Update: “Idol” producer responds to Adam Levine’s criticism regarding openly gay contestants
After Levine’s highly-publicized statements criticizing “American Idol” for not showing openly gay contestants on the air, “Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe fired back in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
When asked about Levine’s comments, Lythgoe said, “To be frank, I didn’t understand why we’re talking about contestants being gay or not gay.” The Emmy-nominated producer went on to suggest that a contestant’s sexuality — on “Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance?” or any other reality program — is irrelevant in the context of the competition.
“If somebody wants to say they’re gay, it’s up to them,” he said. “You dont’ expect us to turn around and say, “Are you gay?” Why would we do that?”
Lythgoe continued, “…what does that have anything to do with singing talent? Maybe it does for Adam Levine, but not for me.”
Nigel Lythgoe is currently preparing for the launch of a new “Idol” season.
