“I have crushes. Big male crushes” – Robbie Williams addresses his sexuality

Robbie Williams, the famed singer and former member of Take That, has addressed longstanding speculation surrounding his sexuality in a recent interview with The Guardian. This conversation comes in the wake of the release of his biopic, Better Man, which depicts his journey through fame, personal struggles, and mental health, while featuring a unique visual representation of Williams as a CGI monkey.

In the interview, Williams recounted the early days of his career, particularly in relation to the tabloid scrutiny he faced. He referred specifically to a notable incident in 2004, in which he was the subject of allegations suggesting a “secret gay lover.” This prompted Williams to take legal action against the publication, ultimately succeeding in a libel case. Reflecting on his decision to sue the newspaper, Williams stated, “I was annoyed… I was more sad. Not about gay accusations, because look: I’ve done everything but suck a cock. Honestly, you’ve never met somebody that wants to be gay as much as me.”

Williams, who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, has previously expressed his admiration for it in a 2016 interview with Attitude. He discussed how his involvement with the queer community during his formative years, particularly in gay clubs, shaped his perspective. He reminisced, “I thought: ‘Why have I lived like that when I could live like this forever?’” His exploration of this world led to moments of introspection, especially in light of the homophobia he encountered. He reflected on his feelings at that time: “I was 21 or 22 and I was like: ‘Oh, that must mean that I’m somewhat gay, in some sort of way’.”

Further elaborating on his feelings towards sexuality, Williams admitted, “The truth is with me and gay is that I can’t get round the cock thing. You know I have crushes. Big male crushes. A lot. I crush a lot. But I just can’t do the cock. I don’t enjoy looking at mine that much. So I can’t get round that bit.” His openness about these feelings highlights the complex relationship many individuals have with their sexuality.

As for Better Man, the biopic released on 26 December, it has already garnered recognition, winning The Film Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2024. The film, which conveys Williams’ interpretation of himself as a “performing monkey,” delves into the realities of fame, the mental health challenges he encountered, and the intricacies of living under public scrutiny. Jonno Davies, who portrayed the CGI monkey, emphasised the burdens of fame, stating in his acceptance speech, “You are expected to just turn it on at any given moment despite what you’re going through – to roll with the punches.”

Source: Noah Wire Services