CULTURE: “X Factor” winner Joe McElderry comes out as gay!

19-year-old Joe McElderry, the winner of the British talent competition TV show X Factor, has acknowledged publicly that he is gay.

He gave an emotional interview to UK’s The Mirror and here is some of what he had to say: “I’m really happy, I now know who I am. … I’m so happy. It’s all been so recent to be honest. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had time to think and come to realise who I am. I have grown up a lot.”Joe added: “I know it sounds crazy but before then, I was so busy. It hadn’t even crossed my mind. I only told my mum last week, on a train.

Previously, he had denied that he is gay but insists that he was not telling lies: “Every time I was asked, I gave honest answers. I wasn’t attracted to anyone anyway, male or female. It never really entered my head I was gay. … I’m single, I’ve not had a ­relationship with a boy, but I just know. It’s how I feel.”

Well, now that he knows, hope he has a wonderful time and a wonderful life. Professionally, he only has to look at the enormously popular Adam Lambert to know that being openly gay should not slow him down one bit.