Wayne Newton struggled not only for fame through his singing but also to dispel the misconception about his sexuality, insisting that he was straight.
From a young age, Newton faced ridicule for his high-pitched voice, a challenge that persisted even after he achieved fame.
Many celebrities, particularly comedians, mocked him with gay jokes, perpetuating a false image of him. Despite being married with children, doubts about his sexual orientation arose due to this relentless teasing.
One notable figure in this narrative is Johnny Carson, who, rather than supporting his friend, perpetuated the misconception by making inappropriate jokes about Newton’s voice and masculinity. These jokes, often remembered with discomfort, contributed to misconceptions about Newton’s sexuality. However, despite Carson’s attempts, Newton remained steadfast in denying the falsehoods spread about him in front of countless viewers.
During Larry Lord’s live show, the vocalist known for “The Letter” opened up about an epiphany regarding his sexuality. Upon reflecting on his speech, he swiftly realized that he was heterosexual.
Wayne Newton affirmed his sexual orientation in a straightforward manner, expressing his dismay at Johnny Carson’s derogatory remarks about him being gay in front of the audience. Newton, fully aware of his straight identity, confronted Carson indignantly. Recalling the incident to Larry, he recounted the encounter:
“I went to NBC Burbank, walked down the halls into his office, and Freddy de Cordova, his producer, was in the office with him. And I walked in, unannounced. I told Freddy, I said, could you excuse us, please?”
“He recounted, ‘He was so taken aback that he stood up and left. And I told Mr. Carson, I don’t know what friend of yours I’ve offended, I don’t know what child of yours I’ve harmed, I don’t know what meal I’ve taken from your mouth, but these jokes about me will cease, and they’ll cease now, or I will confront you without restraint.’
Had Wayne Newton truly been gay, he would never have confronted Carson in such a manner. He staunchly defended his sexual orientation, evidenced by his two marriages and children. Therefore, any deceptive narratives regarding Wayne Newton’s sexuality should no longer hold credence.
In conclusion, while Wayne Newton’s distinctive vocals may have caused confusion among some fans regarding his sexual orientation, they also garnered praise. Despite the confusion, it was his friend Carson who inflicted the most damage with his false portrayals. Nevertheless, Wayne Newton courageously addressed this issue head-on, affirming his heterosexuality to the world.”