John Travolta, a renowned and accomplished actor in Hollywood, has enjoyed a career spanning over five decades. His filmography boasts iconic titles such as Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, Hairspray, among others. He has been married to actress Kelly Preston since 1991, and together, they have three children.
Nevertheless, his life has been dogged by persistent rumors and allegations of homosexuality or bisexuality throughout his career. This article provides an overview of the origin of these rumors and how Travolta has handled them.
Rumors’ Origins
Whispers about Travolta’s sexuality began circulating in the early 1980s when some former associates accused him of having intimate relationships with men. Notably, Paul Barresi, a porn star, claimed to have had an affair with Travolta in 1982, later retracting his statement in 2006.
Another accuser, Robert Randolph, alleged that he witnessed Travolta engaging in sexual acts with men at various Los Angeles spas and detailed these claims in a 2012 book titled “You’ll Never Spa in This Town Again.” Travolta’s legal team dismissed both Barresi and Randolph as opportunists attempting to extort money from the actor.
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Lawsuits and Scandals
In addition to these accusations, Travolta has faced several lawsuits from men alleging sexual harassment or assault. In 2012, two anonymous male masseurs filed separate lawsuits claiming unwanted sexual advances during massage sessions.
These suits were eventually dropped, but they generated significant media attention and speculation. In 2014, masseur Fabian Zanzi sued Travolta for allegedly groping him on a 2009 cruise, a lawsuit that was dismissed in 2016.
In 2017, a former pilot, Douglas Gotterba, sued Travolta for the right to write a book about their alleged six-year romantic relationship in the 1980s. The lawsuit revolved around the validity of a confidentiality agreement, with Travolta’s lawyers arguing that Gotterba was attempting to exploit the actor’s fame and reputation.
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Celebrity Comments and Reactions
Travolta’s sexuality has also become fodder for comments and jokes by other celebrities. In 2010, actress Carrie Fisher, a close friend of Travolta’s, suggested in an interview that the public was aware of his sexuality and that he should be comfortable with it.
Comedian Chelsea Handler mentioned seeing Travolta kiss a man at a party in 2013 but believed he was not hiding anything. Rapper 50 Cent posted a photo with Travolta at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, sparking rumors that he was implying a romantic connection, although he later clarified that he was joking.
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Denials and Statements
Throughout these rumors and controversies, Travolta consistently denied being gay or bisexual. He emphasized his happiness in his marriage to Kelly Preston and stated that he does not want to be defined by his sexuality.
He attributed the rumors to individuals seeking attention or money and expressed frustration with media intrusion, particularly after his son Jett’s tragic death in 2009. Travolta received unwavering support from Kelly Preston, who defended him and called him a wonderful man and a great father.
Conclusion
The question of John Travolta’s sexual orientation has fueled curiosity and controversy for years. However, the truth remains known only to Travolta himself. Based on the available evidence and statements, it is plausible that Travolta may be gay or bisexual but has chosen to keep his sexuality private, possibly influenced by personal beliefs, career considerations, family, or his involvement with Scientology.
Regardless of the reasons, Travolta has the right to live his life as he sees fit and should be respected and accepted for who he is. Ultimately, his happiness and fulfillment should matter most to him, and his sexuality should not be a matter of concern to others.