Robbie Williams has shared his reflections on his experiences in gay clubs during the 1990s, describing the visits as “instantly life-changing.” The singer, who rose to fame in 1991 as a member of the boyband Take That alongside Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald, recounted how these early encounters greatly shaped his perspective and allyship within the LGBTQ+ community.
Take That’s first significant public engagements included tours of UK gay clubs, during which Robbie Williams began to forge a connection with gay audiences. Over the years, he has appeared on the cover of Attitude magazine four times, establishing a record for a heterosexual male artist and reinforcing his support for the LGBTQ+ community.
In an interview with The Advocate, Robbie recounted his upbringing in a northern English town during the 70s and 80s, where societal norms often rendered homosexuality a target for bullying. He stated, “You learn that being a homosexual is a shameful thing and there’s nothing you should aspire to,” reflecting on the stigma of that era. Despite this, he found himself faced with a contradiction: “I see the [gay] characters and the people on the TV, and they seem like really nice people and they’re making me feel happy. This is confusing.”
Robbie further explained how entering Take That at the age of 16 allowed him to experience a different environment. “We do gay clubs for the first 18 months. And what I can say is this, where I’m from, we do kindness and violence really well, and you don’t know which one you’re going to get. So, you’re never safe because you’re surrounded by psychos.” However, his first experience in a gay club was profoundly different: “First gay club that I went to, I was safe, I was welcomed, and not only was I welcomed, I was loved and appreciated, and yeah, it was instantly life-changing, life-affirming, and I’m very grateful. Still am.”
Robbie Williams is also the subject of the biopic Better Man, showcasing his journey in music and personal growth. His career includes notable contributions to Take That’s discography with hits like ‘It Only Takes a Minute’, ‘Could It Be Magic’, and ‘The Flood’, as well as successful solo tracks like ‘Millennium’ and ‘She’s the One’.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://thequeerreview.com/2025/01/08/interview-robbie-williams-recalls-playing-gay-clubs-in-90s-with-take-that/ – This article provides insights into Robbie Williams’ experiences in gay clubs during the early 1990s with Take That, highlighting the impact on his life and connection with the LGBTQ+ community.
- https://pridesource.com/article/a-conversation-with-robbie-williams-the-straight-pop-star-who-made-space-for-my-queer-identity – This conversation with Robbie Williams delves into his memories of performing at gay clubs and his deep connection with the queer community, which is also depicted in the biopic ‘Better Man’.
- https://qburgh.com/robbie-williams-the-straight-pop-star-who-made-space-for-my-queer-identity/ – This article discusses Robbie Williams’ experiences in gay clubs and his connection with the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing his role as a straight ally.
- https://www.attitudemagazine.co.uk/ – Attitude magazine is mentioned as a platform where Robbie Williams has appeared on the cover multiple times, showcasing his support for the LGBTQ+ community.
- https://www.take-that.com/ – This is the official website of Take That, providing information about the band’s history and discography, which includes Robbie Williams’ contributions.
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21111068/ – This page on IMDb provides details about the biopic ‘Better Man’, which explores Robbie Williams’ life and career.
- https://www.theguardian.com/music/robbie-williams – The Guardian has covered various aspects of Robbie Williams’ career and personal life, including his interactions with the LGBTQ+ community.
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robbie-Williams – Britannica offers a comprehensive biography of Robbie Williams, including his rise to fame with Take That and his solo career.
- https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/robbie-williams/ – This page on Official Charts provides an overview of Robbie Williams’ chart-topping hits, both with Take That and as a solo artist.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not reference any outdated information or roles that have changed significantly since the events described. However, it does not include recent developments or updates that would typically be expected in very fresh content.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes appear to be original to the narrative or interview with The Advocate, but without access to the original interview, it’s difficult to confirm their earliest known source.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Attitude, a well-known publication focused on LGBTQ+ issues, which generally enhances its reliability. However, the quotes are referenced from an interview with The Advocate, another reputable source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Robbie Williams’ experiences in gay clubs are plausible and align with his known history and support for the LGBTQ+ community. The narrative provides a coherent and believable account of his life-changing experiences.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be well-supported by plausible claims and originates from a reliable publication. While the freshness could be improved with more recent updates, the overall content is credible and consistent with known facts about Robbie Williams.
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