Jaleel White became a pop icon of sorts in the 90s with his role as the über-nerd Steve Urkel on Family Matters. This week the actor appeared on a Detroit radio interview and got "more than he
bargained for" when they questioned him about gay rumors and a rumored relationship with former NBA player Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.
WJLB in the Morning DJs COCO, Foolish and Mr. Chase:
When
Foolish said that he heard Jaleel and Penny were "roomates" Jaleel
emphatically said, "Naaaah man, I wasn't ever no damn roomates with
Penny Hardaway." Everyone on the show almost lost their minds when Mr.
Chase said "we heard you guys were buTT-ddies!" And then Foolish asked
him about [a] picture that appears to be Jaleel in some
Applebottom [jeans]... Jaleel said that it's not him... *sigh of relief* He said that Penny was like a "big brother" figure,
comparing their relationship to that between LeBron James and rapper
Drake. He said, "If you see Drake and LeBron do you think they're gay? That's crazy." He went on to say that
the gay rumors don't really bother him because "your not successful
unless somebody thinks your gay."
In comparison, White says the 2006 internet rumors that claimed he had committed suicide were "hurtful" to him and his family.
The gay rumors about Jaleel White's supposed relationship coincide with Family Matters first-ever DVD release. Never heard them before, but that's one way to start some buzz.
