Robbie Williams on Sexuality Rumors: ‘You’ve Never Met Somebody That Wants to Be Gay as Much as Me’

by

As a long-time admirer and follower of Robbie Williams‘ enigmatic career, I must say that his candidness and resilience have always been captivating. His journey from the heights of pop stardom to personal struggles and back again is a testament to his indomitable spirit and unwavering authenticity.

In a chat with The Guardian during discussions about his biopic “Better Man,” British pop sensation Robbie Williams openly spoke up on the long-standing rumors concerning his sexual orientation.

Williams stated during his 2005 libel case against a tabloid accusing him of homosexual encounters, ‘I’ve tried everything short of that, honestly. There’s probably no one who desires to be gay more than me.’ He further explained, ‘You want to support others while also preserving your own identity and personal life.’

Looking back at his initial years performing in gay clubs alongside Take That, Williams reminisced about a time when he encountered no hostility. Instead, he experienced warm acceptance, humor, and an overwhelming sense of freedom and security.

Under the guidance of “The Greatest Showman” director Michael Gracey, the movie “Better Man” tells the story of Williams’ life, from his time in Take That to his battles with drug addiction and mental health issues. During its development, the simian concept posed considerable challenges. According to Gracey, securing financing was difficult. He stated, “Persuading investors was tough. People would say ‘the director of The Greatest Showman and Robbie Williams? We’re in!’ But then you’d explain, ‘However, Rob will be portrayed as a monkey.’ That often ended many finance meetings.

In the film, the intricate dynamics between Williams and his ex-Take That bandmates, particularly Gary Barlow, are highlighted. As Williams shares, Barlow voiced apprehensions about his representation in the script, stating something like, “Rob, take a look at this script, I’m depicted worse than Darth Vader from the initial ‘Star Wars’ movie.

In addition to exploring his relationship with Nicole Appleton from All Saints, ‘Better Man’ features a contentious scene about a miscarriage they experienced together. Williams mentioned that this scene was added following Appleton’s consent, highlighting the intense industry demands during that period. He later expressed, ‘Being led or even forced to end a pregnancy due to being in a pop group… It wasn’t until now that I said, ‘What on earth? That’s absolutely mad!’

Williams likens his initial encounter with fame to his adolescent dabbling in drugs, stating that “I tried LSD for the first time at age 15 and I shouldn’t have done so at that age. Similarly, I shouldn’t have experienced fame then. To me, they are much the same thing.

After getting married and having four kids, Williams views his career in a new light. “Daddy goes to work,” he explained, “which is what I say now. Before, it wasn’t just a job. It seemed magical, something extraordinary. But when I reached the top of that mountain, instead of finding enchantment, I encountered an existential crisis.

In an interview, Williams stated, ‘Some people say, “How can you call this a job when all you do is X, Y, and Z?” Just because your work is unpleasant doesn’t mean mine has to be. This is my job, and I adore it, even the parts you find annoying.’

In my perspective as a movie critic, Williams’ decision to depict himself as a computer-generated chimp in his biopic is undeniably unorthodox and intriguing. This choice breaks the mold of traditional biopics, offering a unique take that leaves one captivated by the innovative storytelling.

Robbie Williams made it clear to The Guardian that a biopic about him without his famous monkey would be significantly less enticing or captivating. While it might still pique the interest of his fans, it wouldn’t hold much appeal for others.

“Better Man” is scheduled for release on Dec. 26.

Read More

2024-12-13 13:16