American Idol

Season 2 finalist Clay Aiken, seen here in a photo from his role in Broadway’s Spamalot, has been the center of sexuality conversations for years. Just this week, ABC News reported a story that suggests Aiken may be asexual.

There has been much speculation about the sexuality of a handful of male contestants in previous seasons of American Idol. But nobody has been allowed (or so some now out contestants say) to compete as openly gay — until now, perhaps.

Last night, Iowa native Leo Marlowe made it through to Hollywood after saying, “My mom always said she raised the perfect homecoming queen, too bad it wasn’t one of her daughters.” Simon praised him, even for being open about who he was without being obnoxious.

Cowell has been criticized in past seasons for his comments against more feminine male contestants. In Season 5, he suggested contestant Charles Berry shave his beard and wear a dress, “Because he would make a great female impersonator.” Not exactly a glowing review.

So, in a season where producers are promising to focus more on the contestant’s background, could Idol be bracing itself for the possibility of a gay winner?

It would make sense, especially considering the history of the show. The original Pop Idol winner, Will Young, is openly gay. He was the first reality Idol of any kind in the world, and he has found fair success in the industry. Young currently is working on his fourth album.

Then there’s the big gay history of American Idol. Season 1 featured Jim Verarros, an openly gay singer-turned-actor, who said in many interviews he was not allowed to discuss his sexuality during the show. But he also said he doesn’t think the show is anti-gay.

“I really don’t think that they’re trying to single out gay and transgendered people,” he told gay Web site AfterElton.com in 2006.

In October 2006, Season 1 finalist RJ Helton made headlines by publicly coming out on a SIRIUS Satellite Radio talk show. There had been speculation about Helton’s sexuality, but he also was known for his religion. Helton previously had released an inspirational CD, Real Life, in 2004.

“I can have a faith but can’t be who I want to be. So a lot of it was just personal things I needed to overcome and just be proud of who I was,” Helton said on the radio show. “… Just because I am gay does not mean I can’t love God.”

Anwar Robinson, a Season 4 finalist, was outed — sort of — when bloggers found a “man seeking man” posting on BlackPlanet.com in March 2005. Again, many people say Robinson never was closeted. His sexuality didn’t come up when I talked to him last year.

Then, the most famous of all speculation cases is Clay Aiken. The Season 2 runner-up’s sexuality is a favorite discuss for fans of the show. Just this week, ABC News released a story suggesting Aiken may be asexual. In a world where there are much larger issues to focus on than sexuality, it seems odd ABC — a network most would say is a reputable news source — would spend time talking to experts about his sexuality. Then, again, we’re also living in a world where Britney Spears making making daily headlines for going to Starbucks is the norm.

So, will Leo Marlowe or any other contestant this season be allowed to stand on the Idol stage, say, “I’m gay,” and still get America’s support? Will they be able to recognize their same-sex significant other in the audience? I’m just not sure. I guess we’ll have to wait for the possibility of an openly gay singer to break through the Top 24.

American Idol, Clay Aiken, Jim Verarros, Anwar Robinson, RJ Helton, Leo Marlowe