Rodney Chester of "Noah's Arc": "I'm Still NOT Gay"

Rodney Chester, the talented actor who shot to fame as the wisecracking Alex on Noah's Arc, has been on the promotions tour for the second season DVD edition of the now-canceled television series. As  multi-talented as the actor-dancer-choreographer may be, one of his assets (along with several other cast members) has not been candor around his sexuality. Last week, Rodney again played coy, this time on Wendy Williams' syndicated radio show. Probably not the best venue for his "I'm not gay" routine.

Clay Cane gives the play-by-play to the melodrama:

Wendy made a comment about Rodney Chester being gay. Chester quickly responded with, "Who said I was gay?" Immediately, Wendy Williams was sent into a complete ball of confusion, stuttering and asking if he was joking. Chester went onto explain that he and the other cast members want to keep a level of mystery in regard to their sexuality.

In regard to Chester, Wendy yelled, "THERE IS NO MYSTERY!" She proceeded to jabber about his poppin' lip gloss, all of the gay-oriented roles he has played, being a choreographer—things she argued were stereotypically gay…this must be what Larry King felt in that scary interview with Clay Aiken in 2006. A bewildered Wendy surveyed the room and asked who thought Chester was gay—the entire room raised their hands.

Just as an FYI, only Noah's Arc actors Doug Spearman and Wilson Cruz have come out. At best, the sexually ambiguous branding helped attract female fans; at worst it, alienated gay male fans, especially after numerous cast members received recognition awards from black gay groups. More or less the same frustration mainstream gay groups expressed with Will & Grace's Sean Hayes. Here's the money quote from Clay Cane: "Some would argue the real mystery is not if they are gay or straight, but, why aren't the ones who are gay just admitting it?"

Good question. By the way, we're not sure why so many black gay men enjoy Wendy Williams. She's not laughing with us. As evidenced above, it seems more like she is laughing at us.

Rodney Chester on Wendy Williams [Clay Cane]

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Comments

[dykemaster]

having made the previous comment, i must admit that i've only read the interview exchange and the way it reads is funny. that said, i don't know wendy's reputation on gay and lesbian issues. Nuff Respect to my bruthas!

[TheTrickyPart]

The real question is: why would any intelligent person, gay or straight, listen to Wendy Williams? Being new to NYC, I listened for a month, to see what she was about. It is truly sad. Are we so self-loathing as a group that we would gladly support someone who has such contempt for our community. The irony of it all, is her son is going to become what she most despises and I wonder how it will play out as he enters puberty. OOOOOO How You doing?

[NYer]

But that's what puzzles me somewhat. Is it that effeminate men don't realize they ARE effeminate? Maybe that's why he believes there's some mystery to his being gay. He doesn't see it.