Barry Manilow Made a Frank Statement about Coming out as Gay

Iconic singer Barry Manilow believed that coming out as gay at the height of his fame in the 1970s would have prompted the end of his profession.

In a 2017 interview with People Magazine, Manilow, 75, opened up about his sexuality for the first time.

"I think they were thrilled I had someone in my life like Garry.”

During an interview with Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, the award-winning singer explained why he waited to come out.

Manilow said that concern of the news going public had troubled his early career.

“It’s absolutely wonderful. I went through many, many years when I couldn’t do that. As soon as the word got out my career would have been over," he shared. “Everybody knew it, we had to watch out for making a mistake."

The "Mandy" hitmaker found the strength to discuss his sexuality after finally marrying long-term partner Garry Kief, who also serves as his manager.

While Manilow never opened up to the world about his relationship in the past, he admitted that his loved ones acknowledged Kief because they could see he made the legendary singer happy.

“I knew they would be OK with it. All they ever cared about was my happiness," he shared. "I think they were thrilled I had someone in my life like Garry.”

Manilow met Kief in 1978 and began a relationship. The couple got married at their 53-acre Palm Springs estate in April 2014 in a low-key, private ceremony.

The acclaimed singer also credited Kief for rescuing him from a despairing money related circumstance. He said:

“I was screwed over in the beginning. I was an idiot from Brooklyn who never got any money. You hear this over and over from young people, they get hit records, become millionaires and don’t know what to do with it. I hired somebody I trusted and shouldn’t have. Suddenly I had $11,000 in the bank. That was it, after I Write The Songs and Mandy and all that touring."

The "Copacobana" crooner has sold 75 million records and has 50 songs that ranked in the top 40. For that, he is one of the highest ranked Adult Contemporary artists in the world.

Among the several accolades he has received in his musical career are Emmys, a Tony and a Grammy. He was also honored with a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. His career has spanned more than 50 years.