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Gay kiss on Spain's "American Idol" ("Operacion Triunfo"), to wild applause
Alright, this is one of those times when I'm regretting having taken German in high school. It seems that the Spanish singing competition Operacion Triunfo (the equivalent to our American Idol) has several out gay contestants this season, and that one of those contestant's romance with his husband has become the highlight of the season. We can't understand a word of the show and all of the fansites that we've found are impenetrable even by Babelfish and Google Translator, but this is what seems to be going on: A 34-year-old American contestant named Chipper Cooke has been doing exceedingly well in the competition, and his relationship with his husband has been put squarely in the spotlight. Starting right from the beginning with the auditions, the relationship of Chipper (who barely speaks Spanish but is learning as he goes) and his fella have been a part of his story, as we see him picking up Chipper from his successful audition and walking away with his arm around him after giving him a quick kiss. In the first episode, prior to Chipper's singing "My Girl", the host found Chipper's adorable hubby in the audience, who said "I love you!" (in English) to his fella in encouragement. But the most stunning display of support was when, on Saint Jordi day, Chipper's man (and he is referred to on screen as his "marido", or husband) was invited on stage to present Chipper with flowers. The two men embraced and kissed and Chipper cried, all to the deafening cheers of the crowd: I dare you to watch the above clip and not get a little weepy. I mean, this guy sure did:
Not for nothin', but that shot kind of reminds me of the moment during Kevin and Scotty's wedding when we see the look on Saul's face. Apparently, Chipper's family Stateside was not aware that he is married to a man (we haven't been able to confirm this), so this love story may be as big of a surprise to them as it is to us. (The only mentions of Cooke on English-language sites suggest that he was married to a woman when living here in the States.) I guess that's one way to come out! If anyone fluent in Spanish learns anything more about this story, please feel free to share in the comments. We'll be following Chipper's progress (and the other gay contestant, once we can figure out who he is) and will update. Go get 'em, Chipper! (Huge thanks to Aurélie for the tip!)
You know, when American Idol finally decides to grow a pair and celebrate the diverse sexualities of its contestants, maybe I'll tune in. Can you wonder why Chipper might have headed to Spain to break out? For shame, Simon... Submitted by on Fri, 2008-05-16 09:07. |
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Simon makes me sad
I've never been a fan of American Idol, the horrible singing, the machinations, Ryan Seacrest's hair, eck!
But I found it really disturbing when Simon commented on a contestant who had made it to the final 30 or something and stated that the girl "obviously had emotional problems" when the only thing that he could be referencing was the fact that she was a little "butch". It was so clearly homophobic
Now that's a real kiss
Wow. Obviously it's been a kick to see the characters of Scotty and Kevin on B&S in the last few weeks kiss multiple times, but Chipper and his fella are the real deal.
I mean, this is how people kiss -- sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Sometimes a bit off the target. Sometimes trying to talk and kiss at the same time (which doesn't work, but also sorta does!). And not wanting to stop kissing. And it just goes to show that you can have an incredibly romantic kiss without licking someone to death (not that there isn't a time and place for that!).
Anyway... Love this clip -- thanks for sharing it. I'm sure I'd never have found or seen this clip without AfterElton pointing it out.
Acording to the Operacion Triunfo site!
Nicaraguanboi!
According to the main "Operacion Truinfo" website, Chipper Cooke has only been living in Spain for three and half months before entering the contest. He lives now with his husband named Carlos who he married during the "casting fenales" of the constest. That was the 1rst of April.
Ok
Operación Triunfo is one of the many reencarnations of American Idol, its sort of a cross between that show and Big Brother; you get to see rehearsals and life in the house, there is a weekly concert and elimination.
Im happy to say that the host, the adorable Jesus Vasquez, is out and proud and the most prominent gay celebrity in Spain, has been for about a decade and is married to a very cute arquitect (what is it with gay men and architects) and we recently found out they are in the process of adopting.
As for Mr. Chipper, (really? Chipper?), his profile makes him 34, hes been in Spain for 3 and a half months and he got married to Carlos on April 1st, during the casting period.
He studied musical theater and has been on tour with Rent. He has lived in Japan and worked in Universal Studios Theme Park.
That it. Im going to dig in and see what else I can look up.
Oh wait
Thanks!
Translation of Spanlish transcript
Hi Brian,
I am a translator, so I figured I would type out the transcript and translate the little bits that weren't said in English (most of the"dialogue" was in English):
Host: Muy bien, Chipper! Ven un momento!
Host: Very good, Chipper! Come over here a minute!
Female OT contestant: WOW!!!
Female OT contestant: WOW!!!
Carles/Chipper: I love you. I love you a lot, Chipper. You're the best. You're my star, Really! Love you. So much. I love you. I love you, baby. Don't cry. You're the Best. [Inaudible] Guapo.
Carles/Chipper: I love you. I love you a lot, Chipper. You're the best! You're my star, really! Love you. So much. I love you. I love you, baby. Don't cry. You're the best. [Inaudible] Handsome.
Crowd member: GUAPO!
Crowd member: HEY, HANDSOME!
Host: Se acaba el tiempo, chicos. Os tenéis que separar.
Host: Time is running out, guys. You guys gotta separate.
Carles...te tienes...te tienes que ir. Para allí, para allí, Carles, ¡gracias! [Gestures to the side of the stage for Chipper to take his leave] Estás un poco...
Host: Bueno, ¡madre mía, vaya, noche de emociones! Vamos a tener otro...
Carles...you gotta…you gotta go. Over there, over there, Carles, thanks! [Gestures to the side of the stage for Chipper to take his leave] You’re a little bit...
Host: Well, My God! Holy, what an emotional night! We’re going to have another...
A word about the ubiquitous Spanish "guapo", which is better rendered by "gorgeous" or "hottie", but since it isn't slang, I used the proper English word.
Hope that helps!
That's not exactly true
The first Operacion triunfo it was almost at the same time that the first Pop Idol. So it was before American Idol.
Every week there are four favourites, the most voted is not able to be nominee for the jury to be evicted. Chipper it was in the top 4 the last two weeks. He is only the second forigner contestant in six seasons.
Chipper was married with his best friend (female) on the states, his family knows the he is gay, but they are very religious, and they don't know he is married with a man.
Operación triunfo is very gay friendly, the host and the director of the academy are gays. There was gay contestants in every season, but most of them were closeted ones. This season there are two openly gay and one lesbian (probably the nicest girl in the story of the program, but she was eliminated last tuesday), and maybe one more (but he is only 17 and he don't say anything about that)
Operación Triunfo is part of Star Academy franchise
In fact operacion triunfo
The gayest OT ever!
That is what they are calling it. Besides the host and the new director of the Academy, they had two out contestant and there was mayor speculation on 4 others. BTW, this show has been on longer that AI, so I was wrong there.
So here is the lowdown:
The other "outright" out contestant was a gal, Tania Gómez, who has already been voted out. And of course Chipper (probably the favorite), who met his hubbie when he was working in Universal Studios Japan. They live in Tarragona, which is just outside of Barcelona. And he is originally from Virginia.
And this is where it becomes interesting. I had a difficult time finding anything more on Chipper, because others have been getting all the attention. There were 4 on the maybe list, one is already out of the copetition. That leaves Manu, Reke and Iván. Manus sexuality its still on the air, but I dont think hes gay.
Apparently Reke is the only one who doesnt know hes gay, everybody outside of the house has decided. I must say the gaydar pings heavily.
And then there is Ivan, he has been providing all the drama on the show. Im guessing this is the other "out" contestant mentioned in the post. He is the weeping guy in the photo above, but now with a better look.
The poor guy has been going through a slow public comming out process or more acurately a self acceptance process. Apparently he is very vocal and critical about the show, the contestants, the judges, his songs, etc. So one of the judges called him a prima donna (yes it was the spanish version of Simon), and he took it very personal. He thought he was being called afeminate, which was not the case, I guess the issue was preminent in his mind. So this triggered a breakdown, with him being worried that his family was seeing a more "freer" and "looser" Iván that his family would like.
Since then it has slowly come out that his family "knows" and is not very happy about it, hence the freak out. As far as I can tell, he has never said hes gay. He just uses words and frases that hint at it. But yes, he is gay.
The guy is talented, he is 25 and has worked in Jesuschrist Superstar and is the other favorite to win. So if this guys really are finalist, we might get to see a gay winner.
Some clipsif you are interested:
Iván and Reke (with the facial hair) doing Robbie Williams
http://www.mitele.telecinco.es/programas/operacion-triunfo/24755.shtml
Chipper and Iván singing Gnarls Barkely
http://www.mitele.telecinco.es/programas/operacion-triunfo/20664.shtml
If you are wondering they have to be able to sing in english and spanish to be considered a well rounded artist.
In a some what related matter, I was reminded that the contestant for Eurovision was picked form this show, that changed when the show jumped networks. But do you guys in AfterElton cover Eurovision? There is always some gay content there.
I've even made a thead about
Pase de micros
Today it was the first pase de micros (when they sings for the first time in front of the teachers to correct the mistakes) and this was Chipper's performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BijxkhFjs&eurl
Ivan is the other openly gay contestant, he is a little bit bitchy and a truly drama queen, he is also very funny when he wants, but if he wont change his attitude i think he will be evicted soon. The speculation is about two, Manu who is 17, he is from a small village (he sings unfaithfull in the first show without changing the lyrics), and reke, reke is a gay stereotype but straight (i think), he is with his girlfriend for seven years. Manu is the great favourite right now, he was elected in three of five shows, right now Chipper is the second one.
The last season was pretty gay too, with three gay contestants, but only one came out. One of them, Dani, has a very controversial video with bisexual scenes
Nowadays the winner don't go to eurovision because the show change of channel the last three seasons
aww that was so cute
Gay Idols
On the German version of American Idol (Deutschland Sucht Den Superstar or DSDS) gay contestant Fady Maalouf (originally from Lebanon) who lives with his partner in a civil partnership came in second this week.
In season 4 openly gay contestant Mark Medlock took the title.
In season 1 Daniel Kübelböck who reminds me a lot of Christian Siriano with his extremely quirky style came in third. He is noteworthy because he got by far the most media attention and even had some semblance of success (though mostly trashy stuff) after the show.
DSDS has insane ratings just like the original, but has even more problems producing anybody who can actually have a career after the show than the original.
Didi Knoblauch a female to male transsexual came in 5th in season 3. I'm sure there were more LGTB contestant (female bi contestant Elli won season 2 for example), but these are some of the most noteworthy.
That said, none of them were nearly as cute as these Spanish guys :D
Just one thing, really...
"Operacion Triunfo" is NOT the Spanish version of American Idol. To say so would assume that Operacion Triunfo is in the same family as the Idol series, which is not. In fact, Operacion Triunfo basically begat a rival family of talent shows known as "Fame Academy" or "Star Academy". The format differs from the Idol format, and besides, they're owned by different companies (Idol is a Fremantle Media concern, and Fame Academt is an Endemol concern).
Sorry for being so picky, but it needed to be said.
Last night
The performance
Information to Operacion Triunfo
Chipper married during the casting with carlos, her boyfriend.
This is the edition of Operacion Triunfo more gay, because three of the contestants are: Chipper, Ivan and Manu. Curiously all three are rated each week among the four favorites of the public.
Chipper this week has been chosen for the second time favorite.
In addition, there was a lesbian contestant called Tania G., his girlfriend has become very popular and is a lovely girl.
The director of the academy, Angel Llacer, is a famous showman who participates in several programs, also is gay.
The presenter, Jesus Vazquez, is an influential gay and attractive, and the most coveted presenter.
Also last year's edition was a homosexual, Jose Antonio, who left the cabinet in an interview to a television program.
http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=/watch% 3Fv% 3D39EEK9yaGz4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWgh1ZW9rwY
Daniel's hottie video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39EEK9yaGz4
Try this for a morning refresher. Can you possibly see VH-1 or MTV showing this on American TV? Hopefully the day will come when they do! Not only is this one hot video, it is also a good song from a talented man.
Favourite
Chipper was the favourite las tuesday.
The main difference between this and last year is the openness. Jose, Dani and Jose Antonio are gay, but none of them said anything during the contest (and only Jose Antonio after the contest, but Jose and Dani never denied it). This year this would be the case of Manu, but he is only 17