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.
The Incredible Benefits of Sleeping on Your Left Side
Did you know that the way you sleep can have a big impact on your health? While there are many sleeping positions to choose from, sleeping on your left side has been found to offer a multitude of health benefits. In this article, we will explore how this specific sleeping position can positively affect your overall well-being.
Prevents Nighttime Heartburn
If you suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleeping on your left side can be very beneficial. This position helps to keep the stomach below the esophagus, reducing the risk of acid flowing back into the esophagus and causing heartburn. Say goodbye to uncomfortable nights!
Improves Spleen Function
The spleen, an essential part of your lymphatic system, is located on the left side of your body. Sleeping on your left side can assist the spleen in functioning more effectively by promoting increased blood flow. This improved blood flow helps the spleen filter impurities and supports your overall immune system. Take care of your health from the inside out!
Helps Liver Detoxification
Since the liver is on the right side of your body, sleeping on your right side can potentially lead to congestion. However, opting to sleep on your left side can promote better neutralization and processing of toxins and substances by the liver. By allowing the liver to work efficiently, sleeping on your left side contributes to better overall detoxification. Give your liver the support it needs!
Enhances Lymphatic System Drainage
The lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating toxins from your body. Sleeping on your left side can benefit the lymphatic system by facilitating more effective drainage into the thoracic duct located on the left side of your body. This helps to remove toxins and supports your immune system by utilizing escaped proteins from cells. Let your body detoxify while you sleep!
Beneficial for Pregnant Women
For expectant mothers, sleeping on the left side offers several advantages, especially in the last trimester. It helps alleviate pressure on the liver, enhances blood circulation, and supports normal heart function. Additionally, sleeping on the left side aids in the efficient movement of waste from the small to the large intestine, utilizing gravity to stimulate regular bowel movements and enhance waste elimination. Support yourself and your baby during pregnancy!
Aids in Heart Function
Your heart plays a crucial role in pumping blood throughout your body. Sleeping on your left side can facilitate heart function during sleep because the left side of the heart pumps blood towards the body. This position allows the circulatory system to harness gravity, aiding in arterial circulation and reducing the workload on your heart. Take care of your heart while you sleep!
Promotes Healthy Bowel Movement
The ileocecal valve, which connects the large and small intestines, is located on the left side of your body. By sleeping on your left side, you can promote the seamless movement of waste from the small to the large intestine. Gravity assists in this process, contributing to regular bowel movements and aiding waste elimination. Support your digestive system!
Sleeping on your left side may take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to sleeping in a different position. However, with persistence and habit formation, you can enjoy the numerous health benefits associated with this sleeping position. Try sleeping on your left side and enhance your overall health and well-being. Your body will thank you!
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