Frank Ocean, a member of the rap group Odd Future and Kanye West’s protege, has revealed that his first love was a man.
Frank, 24, who was prominently featured on Jay-Z and Kanye’s album, “Watch the Throne,” took to Tumblr on Independence Day to write, “Four summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide.”
Given the intolerance for gays and bisexuals in the hip-hop community, this disclosure has great significance.
While CNN’s Anderson Cooper also come out this week, many think Frank’s admission will have a larger impact for the gay community. But time will tell what it may do to his career, although most of the initial reaction from the hip-hop community has been positive.
TMZ caught up with singer Chely Wright, the first country star to come out of the closet, and she told the site she was moved by Frank’s declaration.
“I can’t think of a better way for Frank to celebrate Independence Day. It’s spectacular,” she said.
But the “Single White Female” singer warns that while coming out might be liberating, it may not help album sales (Frank’s debut album is coming out July 17).
Chely tells TMZ her record sales have dropped since her 2010 announcement and many venues won’t book her because they’re afraid of boycotts.
But the “Novacane” singer likely isn’t worried about all that just yet.
“I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore,” Frank said. “I feel like a free man.”
Heidi: I may never marry again
Heidi Klum, who is normally very quiet about her personal life, has opened up about her divorce and her future.
“I don’t know if I’ll get married again,” Heidi, who is currently separated from singer Seal after seven years of marriage, told Bild, a German newspaper.
“Although I really enjoyed being married. I’m a dreamer. I loved our annual fairy tale weddings that were our big family parties. But sadly, it somehow didn’t work out.”
The German supermodel also denied rumors that she’s dating her “Germany’s Next Top Model” colleague Thomas Hayo.
“He is not, nor was he ever my boyfriend. I think he is a great guy, but not for me.”
But Heidi told the newspaper she’s satisfied with her life right now, saying, “I look into the future, concentrate on my family and I have to say that I’m happy.”
