Thomas Roberts surfaces...on the cover of The Advocate!!!
Just a few weeks back, I posted about Thomas Roberts, wondering what the heck happened to him and why he wasn't on "The Insider" anymore. Well, we find out in the new issue of The Advocate which features for former CNN Headline News anchor on the cover. He was let go from the show in February.
Here are some excerpts:
A tall, muscular, classic hunk of a man, Roberts is the all-American matinee-idol version of a broadcaster, as opposed to, say, Anderson Cooper's effete, almost European vibe. But Roberts isn't talking to me today to name names or speculate about other people's careers and choices. He's here simply to talk about his own experience being gay in broadcasting -- which, for the most part, has been positive, despite what you may think.
"It's funny that people think I got fired from CNN," he says, addressing the prevailing rumor about him. "I left CNN on my accord: I resigned from my contract because of personal reasons." During his six years at the channel, he says, "I never dealt with anything but respect and kindness. There's a great misconception."
Indeed, Roberts says, being gay has never held him back. "I've worked my ass off, I've been fortunate, and luck doesn't hurt either," he says. "If people don't like that I'm gay or that I talk about being gay, I'm sorry. Because that's not my problem."
On the photo scandal that hit the first week of his job at "The Insider" ...
It was September 6, Roberts's fourth day at The Insider, when the Manhunt photos were posted online last year. The next day, a Page Six item dripping with homophobia detailed the whole thing. The headline? "New Sex Mess Jolts Insider." Roberts had come out to California excited about the new gig -- he had spent the summer looking for a good opportunity like this -- and now he was faced with potential disaster.
His response to the incident is honest, if reticent. "I never put inappropriate pictures of myself on a public website," he says by way of explanation. "For me it was really hurtful, for Patrick and I it was terribly painful, and I'm sure anyone reading this will realize that what happened was something that we needed to deal with on a personal level. And we've dealt with it -- we've closed the book on that issue and moved on."
I ask him if he was angered by what was clearly meant to be a personal takedown. "The only thing I'll say is that it is a nonissue for me anymore. It's not active in my life, nor do I want it to be. But respectfully" -- he smiles broadly -- "I thank you for asking."
A statement by The Insider called the event "a malicious personal attack," and Roberts says he was pleased with the show's response. "They handled that situation like a class act," he says. "They rallied the wagons and fought back against the allegations and did everything they could to show me kindness and respect." But although The Insider, like any celebrity-obsessed show, loves a good scandal, the team there couldn't have been happy with the development. "They said 'We are not throwing the baby out with the bathwater'" is all Roberts will say.
Does he think the incident had anything to do with his being cut from the show? "You'll have to ask them. I've heard it could be budgetary decisions -- I don't know. I was just told that I wasn't part of the future direction of the show. And I have to respect their decision."
Was being gay a factor? "They hired me knowing I was gay -- that's all I'll say to that question. They hired me knowing I was out and gay."
A spokesperson for the show concurred: "We were aware of Thomas's sexuality when we hired him and it had nothing to do with our decision to make a change."
So Roberts was out of a job -- but the blogger had made a name for himself. Funny thing is, if you go to his site now (and, full disclosure, he once discussed writing for The Advocate with me, though nothing came of it), you can't find the original item without some assiduous searching. Instead, you'll see links to the coverage it got -- and an undated photo of the blogger with Roberts at an event, both smiling. It's a paradox of contemporary fandom not unique to the gays: We love our stars, but we also love to tear them down.
Greg Hernandez has covered the entertainment industry for the Daily
News since 2001. He's considered a bit odd by some for his obsession
with box office numbers, has been known to camp out near the kitchen
at premieres for first crack at the hors d'oeurves, and Greg's never
seen a red carpet he didn't want to stroll down.
Comments
Kenneth Walsh should be ashamed of himself for the pain he caused. Why did he do it? Is he jealous of Mr. Roberts' good looks? His career? Does Mr. Walsh loathe himself so much that he had to not only publish the photos but to revel in the popularity of the story?
Posted by: Joe | May 7, 2008 12:11 PM
THIS is why I read your blog. I had no idea this hunk is gay, that there was a scandal about it, or that he'd left The Insider. Pardon me while I crawl back under my rock....
Posted by: Mark | May 7, 2008 12:43 PM
What a great read, I'm glad he has surfaced and not just hiding somewhere. Thomas Roberts is a great talent and not bad to look at either. I'm ready for him to soar...
Posted by: doniwon | May 9, 2008 6:41 PM