The first time I saw TMZ's interview with WWE Superstar Darren Young, I thought that it would be another disaster, because they're known for taking interviews of celebrities—regardless of whether they're sober or not—and taking pictures like the paparazzi that they are. But when the interviewer started asking his question, I thought that this is going to be somewhat a smart discussion.
He asked Darren if a gay athlete would make it big in contact sports such as MMA and wrestling, like in the UFC and the WWE. I admired Darren for saying a straight-to-the-point and honest answer when he said, "Absolutely!", but when he followed it with "Look at me", things got even more interesting.
Even the interviewer couldn't believe what he just heard. Darren had just set himself as an example: a successful WWE Superstar living his dream—who is gay.
He asked Darren if a gay athlete would make it big in contact sports such as MMA and wrestling, like in the UFC and the WWE. I admired Darren for saying a straight-to-the-point and honest answer when he said, "Absolutely!", but when he followed it with "Look at me", things got even more interesting.
Even the interviewer couldn't believe what he just heard. Darren had just set himself as an example: a successful WWE Superstar living his dream—who is gay.
Darren asked his interviewer after his revelation if it changed how he sees him; the interviewer said that while he was flabbergasted, he commends Darren for sharing something "personal and beautiful". The interviewer asked him if they could call that moment his "coming out"; Darren told him that he can call it whatever he likes, because he's comfortable with the way he lives his life, living his dream of being a WWE Superstar. That alone is enviable.
It's worth noting that Darren wasn't even literally asked by his interviewer if he was gay; the fact alone that he readily said it to his interviewer—proudly, at that—proves that he's not hiding it, that it's not an issue to him. It's great that it's not an issue to his tag-team partner, either. I salute Titus O'Neil for supporting his fellow Primetime Player.
Even his doppelgänger, "The Champ" John Cena, expressed his support for Darren. John was interviewed by TMZ later on the same day they got to talk to Darren, and he said that what matters is that he's conducting himself professionally, and he's entertaining the WWE Universe. Love or hate him, John couldn't have said it any better.
John said that his oldest brother is also gay, but they accept him as part of their family regardless.
WWE issued a statement supporting Darren's public outing, and they also made him their latest ambassador for their "Be a STAR" anti-bullying campaign. I can say that Darren will do a great job in it. I just hope that the people at WWE are not hypocrites, that his public outing does not affect his WWE career negatively.
While watching the TMZ interview, I was also reminded of Anderson Cooper's reply to Andrew Sullivan when he asked him regarding the gender issue. Here's an excerpt of Anderson's reply.
It's worth noting that Darren wasn't even literally asked by his interviewer if he was gay; the fact alone that he readily said it to his interviewer—proudly, at that—proves that he's not hiding it, that it's not an issue to him. It's great that it's not an issue to his tag-team partner, either. I salute Titus O'Neil for supporting his fellow Primetime Player.
Even his doppelgänger, "The Champ" John Cena, expressed his support for Darren. John was interviewed by TMZ later on the same day they got to talk to Darren, and he said that what matters is that he's conducting himself professionally, and he's entertaining the WWE Universe. Love or hate him, John couldn't have said it any better.
John said that his oldest brother is also gay, but they accept him as part of their family regardless.
WWE issued a statement supporting Darren's public outing, and they also made him their latest ambassador for their "Be a STAR" anti-bullying campaign. I can say that Darren will do a great job in it. I just hope that the people at WWE are not hypocrites, that his public outing does not affect his WWE career negatively.
While watching the TMZ interview, I was also reminded of Anderson Cooper's reply to Andrew Sullivan when he asked him regarding the gender issue. Here's an excerpt of Anderson's reply.
I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It's become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something—something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true...The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.
The reason why people call it "coming out of the closet" is because it is the act of finally admitting something that one person can't readily admit. Anderson and Darren weren't hiding their gender preference on purpose; they simply thought that it should be a non-issue. They conduct themselves in their work professionally, and being able to commit to their work professionally doesn't have anything to do with gender.
Essentially, Darren and Anderson didn't need to "come out of the closet", because they didn't hide in one in the first place. The only purpose that "coming out" served them is to prevent people from getting the wrong impression that they're hiding something that they're afraid to tell anyone—in this case, being gay—because, evidently, they're not afraid of being gay.
Darren Young and Anderson Cooper are pioneers in their respective chosen paths, and they should serve as inspiration to many; not because they're gay, but because they're great at what they do.
Essentially, Darren and Anderson didn't need to "come out of the closet", because they didn't hide in one in the first place. The only purpose that "coming out" served them is to prevent people from getting the wrong impression that they're hiding something that they're afraid to tell anyone—in this case, being gay—because, evidently, they're not afraid of being gay.
Darren Young and Anderson Cooper are pioneers in their respective chosen paths, and they should serve as inspiration to many; not because they're gay, but because they're great at what they do.