During a guest appearance on HBO’s Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace, the 80-year-old Copacabana singer said he didn’t think it was important to announce his sexuality during the earlier decades of his career.
Manilow came out in 2017, almost three years after he married his husband and manager Garry Kief in a private ceremony. The couple have been together for 45 years now, though they’ve kept much of their relationship away from the public eye.
When he came out to People magazine in 2017, Manilow — whose real name is Barry Pincus — worried he’d be “disappointing” some of his fans by revealing his sexuality. Instead, Manilow, who was 73 at the time, said the reaction from his fanbase was “beautiful.”
Despite his current feelings of nonchalance about his own coming out, Manilow said announcing his sexuality as his career was booming would have been a bad idea.
“Now being gay is no big deal,” he explained. “Back in the ’70s it would have killed a career.”
Regardless, the usually very private Manilow said he thinks “everybody knew that Garry and I were a couple all those years.”
“Really, Garry and I’ve been together for so long,” he said. “It just never dawned on me that we’re going to come out. But when we got married, it was a big deal, so we did.”
Manilow credited Kief for saving his life. He said he is thankful he had Kief to support him as his music career was taking off, despite keeping their relationship under wraps.
“As my career exploded, it was just crazy. And, you know, going back to an empty hotel room, you can get into a lot of trouble if you’re alone night after night after night,” Manilow explained. “But I met Garry right around when it was exploding. And I didn’t have to go back to those empty hotel rooms. I had somebody to cry with or to celebrate with.”
Manilow said he did not wish an isolated hotel room for any young people.
“It was pretty lonely until I met Garry. And then it was fun,” he smiled.
Kief is not Manilow’s first spouse. In 1964, Manilow married his high school sweetheart, Susan Deixler. They were married for one year.
Manilow told CNN’s Wallace he “really did love” Deixler, but added “the gay thing was pretty, pretty strong. I couldn’t deny it.”
The singer said he knew he was gay before marrying Deixler, but their marriage ended because Manilow couldn’t be the committed husband his then-wife needed. He revealed that his sexuality was not the reason his marriage failed.
“We had a very nice marriage, it was great, but I was away every night making music, as a young musician would be,” Manilow described. “It wasn’t good for me, and it wasn’t good for her.”
“I couldn’t be the proper husband,” he continued. “I was out making music every night, sowing my wild oats. I wasn’t ready to settle down.”
Brooklyn-born Manilow skyrocketed to international fame in 1974 after his release of the ever-popular pop-rock ballad Mandy. He became one of the biggest-selling musicians of all time. Prior to his success as a singer-songwriter, Manilow was behind a number of famous commercial jingles for brands like State Farm and Band-Aid — a gig that he has said helped him create catchy hooks for his own hit songs.
This Man is Being Mocked Online for Not Being “Big Enough” for His Wife
Love is often seen as a deep emotional bond that transcends physical appearances. But in a world fixated on beauty standards, where should love draw the line when it comes to looks? The incredible story of Matt and Brittany defies societal norms, proving that true love is built on more than just physical attraction. Despite online criticism, their relationship showcases the power of unconditional love and the beauty of accepting each other exactly as they are.
Brittany’s Struggle for Acceptance and Love
For Brittany Jacques, love and acceptance were not always easy to find. The 23-year-old had experienced numerous failed relationships where partners either criticized her weight or treated her as an object rather than a person. Time and time again, she faced rejection simply because she didn’t fit the societal mold of what was considered “attractive.”
Tired of the constant disappointment and emotional pain, Brittany made a courageous decision—she would stop searching for love and focus on self-acceptance. She resolved to prioritize her mental health and personal well-being rather than trying to fit unrealistic beauty standards. Little did she know that love would find her when she least expected it.
A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything
When Brittany met Matt Montgomery, their connection was instant. Unlike the shallow relationships of her past, Matt saw Brittany for who she truly was—a kind, intelligent, and compassionate woman. From the beginning, he embraced her without hesitation, proving that genuine love is rooted in emotional connection rather than superficial beauty.
Their relationship wasn’t without its obstacles. Brittany had her reservations, given her past experiences, and societal pressures soon added another challenge. Online trolls and critics were quick to attack their relationship, with many making hurtful remarks about Matt’s appearance. Some even went as far as saying that he wasn’t “big enough” for Brittany, as if love should conform to weight ratios.
The Strength of Embracing Authentic Love
What sets Matt and Brittany’s relationship apart is their unwavering commitment to authenticity. In a world obsessed with perfection, they chose to embrace each other just as they are. Their love isn’t based on fitting into conventional beauty standards—it’s built on respect, kindness, and a deep emotional bond.
For Brittany, being valued for her character rather than her physical attributes was life-changing. Matt’s unwavering support allowed her to rebuild her self-confidence and heal from past insecurities. Together, they forged a relationship where love was not measured by appearances but by the depth of their connection.
Overcoming Online Criticism with
When Matt and Brittany shared their love story online, they were met with both admiration and criticism. While many celebrated their love, there were also those who ridiculed their appearance and questioned their compatibility. Negative comments flooded their social media, with some trolls attempting to invalidate their relationship simply because they didn’t fit traditional beauty standards.
However, rather than letting the negativity affect them, Matt and Brittany stood strong. They chose to use their platform to spread a message of love and acceptance, proving that true love isn’t about adhering to societal expectations—it’s about celebrating each other’s uniqueness.
Their resilience in the face of criticism serves as an inspiration to many who struggle with body image and self-worth. Their story reminds us that external opinions should never dictate the value of a relationship.
Redefining Relationship Goals
For Matt and Brittany, love is not about conforming to society’s expectations—it’s about creating a meaningful and fulfilling connection. They have redefined what it means to be “relationship goals” by prioritizing trust, kindness, and mutual support over outward appearances.
Matt’s steadfast belief in Brittany’s worth has helped her overcome years of insecurity, while Brittany’s strength has reinforced their love. Their relationship proves that the most important qualities in a partner—compassion, loyalty, and understanding—far outweigh any physical attributes.
Inspiring Others to Seek True Love
Matt and Brittany’s journey has resonated with countless people who have struggled to find acceptance in a world that often values looks over substance. Their love story challenges the idea that relationships should be based on appearances, encouraging others to seek meaningful connections rather than superficial validation.
Their message is clear: Love isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about cherishing each other’s individuality. By sharing their story, they remind us all that real love is found in mutual respect, genuine care, and emotional depth, not in meeting arbitrary beauty standards.
Conclusion: A Love That Defies Stereotypes
Matt and Brittany’s love story is a testament to the power of unconditional love. Despite facing criticism and societal judgment, they have remained true to themselves and to each other. Their relationship serves as a powerful reminder that love is not defined by physical appearances but by the strength of an emotional bond.
Their journey challenges the world to rethink its obsession with beauty standards and embrace the idea that love is about so much more than what meets the eye. For those who have ever felt judged, overlooked, or pressured to change to fit someone else’s ideal, Matt and Brittany’s story offers hope.
True love isn’t about matching societal expectations—it’s about accepting and valuing one another exactly as you are. And in that, Matt and Brittany have found something truly beautiful.
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