Dirt Off Their Shoulders - Once upon a time, calling a celebrity "gay" was career suicide. In 2017, stars are brushing off speculation about their sexual orientation — and sometimes even embracing it. From Queen Latifah to Tyler Perry to Young Thug, these celebs show us the right way to handle gay rumors.  — By Moriba Cummings(Photo from left: Prince Williams/Getty Images, Marcus Ingram/WireImage, Allen Berezovsky/WireImage)

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Dirt Off Their Shoulders - Once upon a time, calling a celebrity "gay" was career suicide. In 2017, stars are brushing off speculation about their sexual orientation — and sometimes even embracing it. From Queen Latifah to Tyler Perry to Young Thug, these celebs bear witness us the correct fashion to handle gay rumors.  — By Moriba Cummings(Photo from left: Prince Williams/Getty Images, Marcus Ingram/WireImage, Allen Berezovsky/WireImage)

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Shemar Moore - Shemar Moore has been plagued with gay rumors since the nascency of his sex symbol status in the '90s. However, it is only recently that he actively addressed the criticism. Speaking exclusively with BET.com in 2016, he shared that the rumors don't really carp him, maxim, "If you think I'm gay, ship your girlfriend over to my business firm for the weekend and meet what happens."(Photo: Allen Berezovsky/WireImage)

Queen Latifah - Rumors that the entrepreneur is gay have been swirling for years, but while the "U.N.I.T.Y." emcee doesn't mind talking about sexuality, she has always refused to discuss her personal life publicly. She did, however, admit in 2009 that the constant speculation annoys her from time to time. "They want to make up stories and make me gay all the time and it's like, 'Keep running with it,'" she told Access Hollywood. "I've definitely been annoyed by it, but I learned a long time ago that it was pointless to say anything." Latifah played legendary blues singer Bessie Smith, who was bisexual, in the HBO biopic Bessie. (Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Variety)

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Queen Latifah - Rumors that the entrepreneur is gay accept been swirling for years, just while the "U.Northward.I.T.Y." emcee doesn't mind talking about sexuality, she has always refused to discuss her personal life publicly. She did, however, admit in 2009 that the abiding speculation annoys her from time to fourth dimension. "They desire to make upwardly stories and make me gay all the time and it's like, 'Keep running with information technology,'" she told Access Hollywood. "I've definitely been annoyed by it, but I learned a long time ago that it was pointless to say anything." Latifah played legendary blues singer Bessie Smith, who was bisexual, in the HBO biopic Bessie. (Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Diversity)

Janet Jackson - After Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope era, many began to question the pop icon's sexual fluidity. In a 2008 interview with Instinct, Ms. Jackson proved that she's unbothered by it all. "It never frustrates me; I've never got upset behind it," she said. "For what reason? Why get upset because someone said you were gay or called you gay...Then it would be something negative to me and it's not." Preach, Damita Jo!(Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

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Janet Jackson - Afterward Janet Jackson'due south Velvet Rope era, many began to question the pop icon's sexual fluidity. In a 2008 interview with Instinct, Ms. Jackson proved that she's unbothered by it all. "Information technology never frustrates me; I've never got upset behind it," she said. "For what reason? Why get upset because someone said you were gay or chosen y'all gay...And so it would be something negative to me and information technology'due south not." Preach, Damita Jo!(Photograph: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

John Legend - The "Made to Love" singer has been dealing with gay rumors, which he blames the blogs for creating, since the beginning of his career. However, the idle speculation hasn't stopped Legend from standing up for equality. In February 2015, he refused to attend a party in his honor at the Beverly Hills Hotel after learning that its owner, the Sultan of Brunei, implemented an anti-LGBT law in his home country. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for City Harvest)

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John Fable - The "Made to Love" singer has been dealing with gay rumors, which he blames the blogs for creating, since the beginning of his career. However, the idle speculation hasn't stopped Legend from standing upwardly for equality. In Feb 2015, he refused to attend a party in his honor at the Beverly Hills Hotel afterwards learning that its owner, the Sultan of Negara brunei darussalam, implemented an anti-LGBT police in his home country. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for City Harvest)

Oprah Winfrey - Can't two women just be best friends in peace? Apparently not, as Oprah Winfrey has been rumored to be romantically linked to her BFF Gayle King for years. In a personal sit-down interview with Barbara Walters, the queen of all media said, "I have said we are not gay enough times. I am not lesbian. I am not even kind of lesbian." Winfrey added, "That irritates me because it means somebody must think I'm lying, that's number one. Number two, why would you want to hide it? That is not the way I run my life." (Photo: John Sciulli/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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Oprah Winfrey - Tin't ii women just be all-time friends in peace? Apparently not, every bit Oprah Winfrey has been rumored to exist romantically linked to her BFF Gayle King for years. In a personal sit-down interview with Barbara Walters, the queen of all media said, "I have said nosotros are not gay enough times. I am not lesbian. I am not even kind of lesbian." Winfrey added, "That irritates me because it ways somebody must think I'm lying, that'due south number i. Number two, why would you want to hibernate it? That is not the way I run my life." (Photo: John Sciulli/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Jada Pinkett-Smith - Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith have been repeated targets of the gay rumor mill, with some tabloids even reporting that the Smiths are swingers and that Will was gay and Jada was a lesbian. The Gotham star put all of the hearsay to rest, telling Gala of the rumors, "I have no idea [where they came from]. Every year, one celebrity couple is under the microscope. This year, unluckily, it's us! I almost want to say that we should have been expecting it."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Jada Pinkett-Smith - Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith take been repeated targets of the gay rumor mill, with some tabloids even reporting that the Smiths are swingers and that Will was gay and Jada was a lesbian. The Gotham star put all of the hearsay to rest, telling Gala of the rumors, "I have no idea [where they came from]. Every twelvemonth, i celebrity couple is under the microscope. This year, unluckily, it'due south usa! I almost want to say that we should have been expecting it."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Zoe Saldana - When the celebrities themselves hint at sexual fluidity, chances are the public is going to run with it — just ask Zoe Saldana. After the Colombiana actress told Allure magazine, "[I might] end up with a woman raising my children," she was officially labeled bisexual. While no one knew for sure if she was, the actress stood by her words, telling Hollyscoop, "It was a statement that I strongly stand by. As of today, I've been attracted to the male species, but if one day I wake up and want to be with a woman, I will do that because it is my life, therefore it is my decision." Zoe is now married to a man, with whom she is raising their twin boys.  (Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Samsung)

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Zoe Saldana - When the celebrities themselves hint at sexual fluidity, chances are the public is going to run with information technology — just ask Zoe Saldana. Subsequently the Colombiana extra told Allure magazine, "[I might] end up with a woman raising my children," she was officially labeled bisexual. While no 1 knew for sure if she was, the actress stood by her words, telling Hollyscoop, "It was a statement that I strongly stand up by. As of today, I've been attracted to the male species, just if one day I wake up and want to be with a woman, I will exercise that because it is my life, therefore it is my conclusion." Zoe is now married to a homo, with whom she is raising their twin boys.  (Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Samsung)

Ne-Yo - After being forced to defend his sexuality time and time again, "So Sick" crooner Ne-Yo admitted that the rumors all began to mentally affect him. "That s**t ate me alive... [I was] like, 'Where did that come from?,'" he said. "Who are these people that have gone to such heights to try to make people believe this?" Despite his shocked reaction to the gay speculations at first, the public didn't quite believe him, but he became less unbothered by the rumors as the years went by. "Pay no attention to the fact that I got two kids and a beautiful woman by my side," he said jokingly.(Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Lincoln Motor Company)

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Ne-Yo - After existence forced to defend his sexuality time and fourth dimension over again, "So Ill" crooner Ne-Yo admitted that the rumors all began to mentally touch him. "That s**t ate me alive... [I was] like, 'Where did that come from?,'" he said. "Who are these people that accept gone to such heights to try to make people believe this?" Despite his shocked reaction to the gay speculations at get-go, the public didn't quite believe him, but he became less unbothered by the rumors as the years went by. "Pay no attention to the fact that I got 2 kids and a cute woman by my side," he said jokingly.(Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Lincoln Motor Company)

Trey Songz - In 2014, someone appeared to hack into the R&B star's official Twitter account and "out" him. "I think it's time to finally tell my fans. All games and jokes aside... I'm Gay," the fake tweet read. Trey clarified the next day, "The things you people craft up with hatred in your hearts. The things people believe without question, or validity, all baffles me." He followed up with, "If I'm gay then Tupac bringing me a ounce for this session wit Biggie tomorrow. No weapon #LOVE."(Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

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Trey Songz - In 2014, someone appeared to hack into the R&B star's official Twitter business relationship and "out" him. "I think it's fourth dimension to finally tell my fans. All games and jokes bated... I'one thousand Gay," the imitation tweet read. Trey clarified the next mean solar day, "The things yous people craft upwardly with hatred in your hearts. The things people believe without question, or validity, all baffles me." He followed upwards with, "If I'chiliad gay then Tupac bringing me a ounce for this session wit Biggie tomorrow. No weapon #Honey."(Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Russell Simmons - Music and lifestyle guru Russell Simmons was put on blast by gay rapper Caushun, who claimed he saw "steamy text messges" on his phone. When confronted with the rumor by the Dallas Voice, Uncle Russ wasn't having it. "Don't drag me into an interview that's lower than my person — a catty a** he-said, she-said," he said to set the record, um, straight. "I believe gay people deserve dignity. Caushun doesn't mean nothing to me. He's not worth it. Essentially, he wants to make himself famous. I thought he was a good rapper."(Photo: Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Dr. Mona Vand)

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Russell Simmons - Music and lifestyle guru Russell Simmons was put on blast by gay rapper Caushun, who claimed he saw "steamy text messges" on his telephone. When confronted with the rumor past the Dallas Vocalism, Uncle Russ wasn't having it. "Don't drag me into an interview that's lower than my person — a catty a** he-said, she-said," he said to set the record, um, straight. "I believe gay people deserve nobility. Caushun doesn't mean nothing to me. He's non worth information technology. Substantially, he wants to brand himself famous. I thought he was a good rapper."(Photo: Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Dr. Mona Vand)

Tyler Perry - Film juggernaut Tyler Perry is arguably an easy target for the gay rumor mill since he makes a living by dressing up as a woman — hey, Madea! Though many believe that Perry is LGBT-identifying, he continues to deny the claims. "It used to bother me a whole lot in the beginning, it really, really did," he said. "But what it's done is given me firm seating in my manhood. And if some people can't separate the character from the man that I am, then that's their issue, not mine."(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for A&E Network)

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Tyler Perry - Film juggernaut Tyler Perry is arguably an easy target for the gay rumor mill since he makes a living past dressing upwards equally a woman — hey, Madea! Though many believe that Perry is LGBT-identifying, he continues to deny the claims. "Information technology used to bother me a whole lot in the beginning, it actually, really did," he said. "Only what it's done is given me firm seating in my manhood. And if some people can't separate the character from the man that I am, so that's their event, not mine."(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for A&E Network)

Tyson Beckford - "He's handsome, he's fashionable and he's rarely seen with a woman on his arm, so he must be gay." This is the sentiment many shared on iconic male supermodel Tyson Beckford. While it is true that he is attractive and stylish, he ensures the world that he is 100 percent straight. "I work with GLAAD, I work with Gay Men's Health Crisis — I work with all of that," he said. "It's just I'm a straight man who got a little bit of style so they just say, 'He's gay.'"(Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

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Tyson Beckford - "He'due south handsome, he'south fashionable and he's rarely seen with a adult female on his arm, so he must be gay." This is the sentiment many shared on iconic male supermodel Tyson Beckford. While it is true that he is attractive and stylish, he ensures the world that he is 100 percent direct. "I piece of work with GLAAD, I work with Gay Men's Wellness Crunch — I piece of work with all of that," he said. "Information technology's just I'thou a straight human being who got a niggling bit of mode so they just say, 'He's gay.'"(Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

Kanye West - For years, rumors about Kanye's sexual orientation have followed the rapper. But anyone with eyes can see that Yeezy couldn't be more smitten with his wife Kim Kardashian, who calls the rumors "absurd." Kanye, who seems completely unfazed by the rumors, has in fact been an advocate for equality for years. Back in 2005, he blasted homophobia in hip-hop, "Not just hip-hop, but America just discriminates. And I wanna just, to come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, 'Yo, stop it.'" (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for TIME)

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Kanye West - For years, rumors well-nigh Kanye'south sexual orientation have followed the rapper. Just anyone with eyes can see that Yeezy couldn't be more smitten with his wife Kim Kardashian, who calls the rumors "absurd." Kanye, who seems completely unfazed by the rumors, has in fact been an abet for equality for years. Back in 2005, he blasted homophobia in hip-hop, "Not just hip-hop, merely America just discriminates. And I wanna merely, to come on TV and merely tell my rappers, simply tell my friends, 'Yo, terminate it.'" (Photograph: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Fourth dimension)

Young Thug - These days, Thugger has been making headlines for his beefs with Game and Lil' Wayne, but once upon a time, the rapper was a hot topic for his rumored sexuality. After word got out that the "Lifestyle" emcee calls his male friends "bae" and "lover," the speculation was constant. During an interview with Bossip, Young Thug nonchalantly denied the claims, saying that it's just a "language." "There's nothing stupid or fruity going on... those are my baes, those are my lovers, it's whatever you want to call it," he said. The rumors resurfaced again in 2017, and he took to social media to respond, saying, "It is I, Jeffery. The one that get the most hate, and they say gay, but is also the richest in the A."(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Young Thug - These days, Thugger has been making headlines for his beefs with Game and Lil' Wayne, but one time upon a time, the rapper was a hot topic for his rumored sexuality. Afterward word got out that the "Lifestyle" emcee calls his male friends "bae" and "lover," the speculation was abiding. During an interview with Bossip, Young Thug nonchalantly denied the claims, proverb that it'southward just a "language." "In that location's aught stupid or fruity going on... those are my baes, those are my lovers, information technology's whatever you want to phone call it," he said. The rumors resurfaced once again in 2017, and he took to social media to answer, saying, "Information technology is I, Jeffery. The one that go the most hate, and they say gay, but is likewise the richest in the A."(Photograph: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Rich Homie Quan - Is Rich Homie Quan one of the "baes" Young Thug is talking about? Well, sort of, but it's strictly platonic. After the two rappers were rumored to be lovers, the "Type of Way" rapper went on Sway in the Morning to set the record straight. "Everyone in Atlanta [knows] me and Young Thug is [sic] not gay," he said. "With Thug, it's different, it's just his slang. I don't take nothing of it or nothing. I know I ain't [sic] gay. Everybody know I ain't gay."(Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

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Rich Homie Quan - Is Rich Homie Quan 1 of the "baes" Young Thug is talking about? Well, sort of, but it's strictly platonic. Later the two rappers were rumored to be lovers, the "Type of Way" rapper went on Sway in the Morning to set the record directly. "Everyone in Atlanta [knows] me and Young Thug is [sic] not gay," he said. "With Thug, it's different, it'southward just his slang. I don't take nothing of it or nada. I know I ain't [sic] gay. Everybody know I ain't gay."(Photograph: Earl Gibson Iii/Getty Images for BET)

A$AP Rocky - Gay? Unlikely. Cocky? For sure. In an interview with men's fashion brand Mr. Porter, A$AP Rocky addressed the gay rumors that pop up around his name once in a while. "People say I'm gay sometimes, but I have a lot of b*****s so why would I care? It doesn't bother me at all," he said. Even so, A$AP thinks that homosexuality in hip-hop should not be a hot topic in this age. "It makes me upset that this topic even matters when it comes to hip-hop because it makes it seem like everybody in hip-hop is small-minded or stupid and that's not the case."(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for 2015 Tribeca Film Festival)

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A$AP Rocky - Gay? Unlikely. Cocky? For sure. In an interview with men's style make Mr. Porter, A$AP Rocky addressed the gay rumors that popular up around his name once in a while. "People say I'chiliad gay sometimes, but I have a lot of b*****s so why would I care? Information technology doesn't bother me at all," he said. Yet, A$AP thinks that homosexuality in hip-hop should not be a hot topic in this age. "It makes me upset that this topic even matters when it comes to hip-hop because information technology makes it seem like everybody in hip-hop is small-scale-minded or stupid and that'due south not the case."(Photo: Ilya South. Savenok/Getty Images for 2015 Tribeca Film Festival)