Will Smith And The History Of Gay Rumors: Why Are People Still Obsessed?

Since the mid-1990s, rumors that Will Smith was either gay or bisexual ran rampant in the gay community. His marriage to Jada Pinkett in 1997 was seen as a cover-up. Others allegedly “in-the-know” said that they had an open marriage. Of course, this was more scandalous twenty years ago than it is now.

As social media grew, the rumors grew wider. In October of 2008, Queerty published a story about Will Smith and a rumor that spread like wildfire.

“We’ve been hearing for years that the super star and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, both go for the same-sex. It came as no surprise, then, to hear that Smith, who’s been palling around with Tom Cruise and his anti-gay Scientologists, has spent some time with male prostitutes in the past.”

Allegedly, a notorious Hollywood Madame revealed that Smith was a client of hers for years. She claimed that she had to reassure to Smith over and over that his sexual adventures would be discreet. Once Smith was guaranteed his privacy, orders were placed.

“Sounds true – Will Smith and his wife seem to have a very mysterious relationship. They’re often seen out apart and with people of the same sex. Not a coincidence – especially after Smith started hanging out with Tom Cruise and all his gay friends at Scientology,” said commenter “Fern” after the article on Queerty. Most commenters agreed that Will Smith was possibly hiding his sexuality.

In 2012, it was alleged that Will and Jada were on the brink of divorce because he was caught, pants down, with R&B crooner Trey Songs in Miami. The Huffington Post quoted Pinkett denying the story.

“It’s rumored that we’re getting a divorce. But no. We’re not getting a divorce. Where am I gonna go? Where am I going to go? That’s my boo. It’s like he’s another part of me,” Pinkett said.

Now, the rumors are popping up again after Will Smith decided to boycott the Oscars since they failed to nominate him for his role in the movie Concussion. Alexis Arquette has accused Smith of having a little too much fun with superstar manager Benny Medina.

“When Jada comes out as Gay and her beard husband admits his first marriage ended when she walked in to him **** servicing his Sugar Daddy Benny Medina..then I will listen to them,” the Daily Mail quotes Arquette as saying.

However, according to Page Six, Will Smith’s first wife has blasted Alexis Arquette.

“‘Alexis Arquette, let’s just be clear: I don’t know you and you don’t know me,’ Sheree Fletcher said in a video released on Thursday. ‘So for you to claim you have firsthand knowledge information as to why my marriage didn’t work out is completely out of line.'”

Fletcher goes on to say that it’s completely not true. However, that hasn’t stopped Twitter from speculating about Will Smith’s sexuality.

I believe what #AlexisArquette said about @jadapsmith and Will Smith being gay. It's a well known "secret" in Hollyweird.

— Ali Katz (@AliKat2u) January 19, 2016

I think all these Scientology actors are closeted and in denial. #TomCruise #WillSmith #JohnTravolta

— Mikel Joshua (@MikelJoshua) January 21, 2016

The funny thing about all of this is that it is 2015 and not 1995 or even 2005. If Will Smith did reveal he was gay or bisexual, it wouldn’t hurt his career one single bit. Perhaps people are still obsessed because they believe Smith could have been a great role model for the gay community, but chose to stay in the closet. In any case, as long as Will Smith is happy, people should be happy for him.

[Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images]