Chart Topping Singers Who Have Come Out As Gay

Gay Men On The Mic

These chart toppers set aside their musical talents for a moment to take center stage for another reason: to come out of the closet.

Frank Ocean

Singer Frank Ocean performs onstage at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian / Staff/Getty Images Entertainment

Frank Ocean's career was in the balance after he announced on his Twitter page that he was once madly in love with a boy. The budding star hadn't released a proper album before taking a risk that most celebrities save until well into success.

Mika

Singer Mika
© Michael Buckner/Getty

British singer Mika came out in the September 2012 issue of Instinct Magazine. Three years ago he said he was bisexual in an interview but admits that it wasn't entirely correct since he hates to label himself.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin posing with his sons Valentino and Matteo.
© Pablo Alfaro/Ricky Martin/Getty

Ricky Martin's sold more than 60 million albums worldwide and was nominated for one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People magazine in 2000. Martin came out in 2010 in a heartfelt letter on his website.

Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken comes out to People with the public announcement, "Yes, I'm Gay!"
© Will Ragozzino/Getty Images

Clay Aiken, the former 2003 American Idol runner-up, multiplatinum recording artist and Broadway star, confirmed longstanding rumors that he is gay in 2007 after an interview with Diane Sawyer. He's now the father of a beautiful boy Jaymes Foster.

Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert
© Michael Loccisano/Getty

Adam Mitchel Lambert's goth glam image began on the stages of American Idol Season 8, as the show's first openly gay contestant and has since warned our hearts and the Billboard charts.

Mark Feehily

ShowBizIreland/Stringer

"I am gay, and I'm very proud of who I am," former boyband singer Mark told Gay.com UK. He came out in 2005, confirming rumors about his relationship with former V singer Kevin McDaid.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter
Billy Porter. © David Livingston/Getty

Before his career as a solo recording artist, Billy Porter's dynamic vocals on the Broadway stage in the popular productions "Grease" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe" drew an ever-growing fan base.

Lance Bass

Former *NSYNC member and once hopeful astronaut Lance Bass confirmed rumors that he was gay and in a relationship with Amazing Race winner Reichen Lehmkuhl after the New York Post reported that he and Lehmkuhl were seen at a gay bar.

Anthony Callea

Paul Kane/Stringer

This Australian Idol winner topped the Australian charts in 2004 before coming out three years later in a magazine interview. "I have no issue with my sexuality now but it's taken time to become confident with who I am," he said.

Boy George

Chris Jackson

Boy George is best known for his 80s glam and DJ success throughout the 90s. He later teamed with friend Rosie O'Donnell to score the musical Taboo, which was based on his life.

George Michael

George Michael
©Getty

One of the most famous out gay singer, George Michael enjoyed six No. 1 singles and a Grammy for Best Album in 1988.

Freddie Mercury

Singer Freddie Mercury singing during a Queen concert in Stockholm, 10th June 1986.
© Getty

Singer, songwriter, pianist, and vocalist Freddie Mercury was the famed frontman of the British group Queen. "I am as gay as a daffodil, my dear!" he told New Musical Express in 1974.

Elton John

Elton John attends the 'Billy Elliot The Musical' fifth birthday at the Victoria Palace Theatre
© Getty

English rock singer and composer Elton John received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for "services to music and charitable services" in 1998. John and partner David Furnish have been in a civil partnership since 2005.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus, the son of folk singers, has been called the "master of the contemporary torch song." He's written seven albums and a classical opera set to Shakespeare sonnets. In 1999, he told Rolling Stone that he knew he was gay from very early on.