Fan-shot video of Don Philip's actual (and awkward) coming out speech on The X-Factor stage has hit the Internet, showing L.A. Reid kind of shoehorning the coming out of the closet statement from the contestant. What you didn't see on the premiere of The X-Factor after the jump.
“It was kind of a private thing they forced out of me,” Philip claimed to Access on Thursday. “I would say bullied out of me.”
“Backstage, I’d talked to the producers about what was my secret was. And I mentioned that my secret was I was gay, but I really didn’t want to talk about it on the show. So, minutes later when I got on stage, L.A. Reid said, ‘What’s the secret? What’s the secret?’ over and over again. And I had to say it,” Philip claimed. “I just felt like they were going to say it so I felt like I needed to say it first. And, I was just so emotionally distraught, I couldn’t pull it together to actually sing.
Word (and footage) leaked back in June that things got really awkward when Don Philip, former duet partner of Britney Spears in the late 90's, came out to the pop star publicly during his audition for The X Factor.
Philip was a bit of an emotional wreck and we admittedly were curious as to how all of the drama would come together when the program aired this week.
Well editing is a magical thing because while we got plenty of drama from Britney and Don's reunion, one aspect was missing: any mention of him being gay. As Don puts it: "They edited the gay out of me."
More, plus his audition as it actually aired on the show, after the jump.
Don Philip addressed the controversy with RumorFix saying, “I’m sorry they didn’t think it was up to the X Factor standard as Britney says. They already outed me to the world.”
“Is Gay bad for FOX? I didn’t do anything bad. They edited the gay out of me.”
He continued: “I don’t understand it. Aren’t they a reality show? Is it too real?”
Don said that Britney didn’t do anything wrong and the omission “is sending the wrong message. It’s like gay is being censored.”
“The judges were given no information about Mr. Philips prior to his audition. The personal information that Mr. Philips quickly volunteered at the start of his audition was a surprise to the judges, who asked what had happened during the past 10 years, as they were interested in Mr. Philips’ career. While we understand his decision to discuss his personal life, Mr. Philips’ sexual orientation was not something that any of the judges or producers felt was relevant to this audition. When advertising and promoting open auditions, thousands of people are informed about the ways to enter the show. Mr. Philips himself chose to enter for a chance to win a five million dollar recording contract.”
What do you think, Instincters? Was Philip's coming out narrative relevant? How do you feel about the way The X Factor (and Britney) handled it?
Edit the gay out? He is obviously gay. They did not need for him to say it. I felt that segment was long and painful as it was.
+2
... written by Eric Austin,
September 13, 2012
While I can not speak for the producers of the show, I know that the reality tv circuit spins things to appeal to viewership. Who can really say the ultimate motive without seeing their complete demographic?
+1
... written by Peer,
September 13, 2012
In my opinion he seemed to be under influence of something, all the signs were there. Perhaps that's why everyone seemed embrassed for him. The crowds & judges reaction was definitely not warranted just because he's a terrible singer or gay something must have been edited out. On the otherhand if he explicitly stated he was gay and yet performed and didn't get through it would have been a different story.
He sounded really good to me, i wasn't a huge fan of his artistic choices but in comparison to the Justin Bieber-like kid who got through, or the transvestite from San Fran, he had a lot more ability. From watching http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/71958131.html, i can tell that the judges seemed a little bit fed up with him and that probably influenced their decision. Poor guy, i wish Britney had been more compassionate and less "this is so hard for me right now".
-1
... written by Tollis64,
September 13, 2012
His singing was awful and it seemed like an act to get on tv, painful to watch. Why do us gays want to take everything so personal? He wanted Britney to feel sorry for him and send him through, is that what being gay is now.. Something we need to be pitied for?
-1
... written by SMD,
September 14, 2012
Typical drama that X-Factor loves. I thought we had more or less gotten over the coming out thing. PULEEEZE... Miss Thing you should not have been there in the first place if you didn't realize that this would happen. We need to accept responsibility for our own actions.
+0
... written by lllll,
September 14, 2012
Coke mouth
-1
... written by great,
September 14, 2012
I loved his voice when he started out in the audition. He has a very commercial sound. I wish they let him sing something else but ultimately i think his voice was to stressed out by the time it was time to shine.
+1
... written by Ron Philip biggest fan,
September 15, 2012
Your singing voice wasnt that bad, the judges i thought were really hard on you. If I was one of the judges I would definatley say YES! I'm a huge fan! And if you were through I would vote for you every week keep singing though I did like your voice. And I do t think you upset Britney at all. If you keep performing I will definatley come to a concert!!!!!
+0
... written by Don Philip biggest fan,
September 15, 2012
You didn't have a bad singing voice, I think the judges were tough on you. If I was one of the judges I would say YES!!! I'm a huge fan!!!!! You should keep singing and following your dream! If u made it I would of voted for you every week keep singing, I really did like your voice! Keep performing and I WILL come to a concert! I'm your biggest fan!
+0
... written by By somebody who Knows him well,
September 15, 2012
I've know don Philip for a long time. He had a voice at one time but over the years his lifestyle messed him up. It's said to see what happened. Unfortunately don is no role model. He is a total wreck and an embarrassment to the gay community! I can't go into it but he needs help. He's sins are well know in Miami and NYC.
As for Britney. Well his fb says it all. He is totally obsessd with her. I'm feel embarrassed for her. Everyday for years he talks about her. I hope he gets the help he needs. Said that the whole world had to see what we all been see in Miami for years.
+1
... written by Peer,
September 15, 2012
Wow I'm Reading crazy shit. Too bad I know people who know him and they say he's a total mess. Lies a lot obsess with Britney etc. it's ashame he ruined his life I'm glad he didn't make it because from what I hear. I don't think he wants the press gettin a hold of that info he does for a living. It's a disgrace
+1
... written by Question,
September 15, 2012
To By Somebody who Knows Him Well and Peer, for those of us who don't know him but watched the show and the full audition, what has he been doing for 10 years and for income?Is that what messed up his voice? I felt so bad for the guy but his rambling on the full audition was either nerves or a bad drug problem....hopefully he gets help.
+0
... written by Hoping for the best for him,
September 15, 2012
Watching the full audition, I think the secret was they knew he had other problems they wanted him to fess up to and the reason he doesn't sound the same...not that he is gay. Unreal how cut and pasted together the final show was from the 10 plus minute original. He was upset at the end because he said during the audition that he heard from someone that Brittany wouldn't like him coming out back then...that is what he thought he said that hurt her and upset him at the end. I also don't believe for a second that Simon and Brittany didn't know he was set to audition ahead of time..that was acting on their part.
+0
... written by Peer Don,
September 16, 2012
God after reading all these comments on different site, I feel bad for my friend. He had a bad day. He was nervous and was being interviewed all day because of his history with Britney. By the time he got up he lost his voice from talking dam much and the emotions going on stage got the best of him. We know he can sing, after all he was signed by Jives, did a duet with Britney and was Gloria Estefan backup singer in th past. He could have had it all back then but left his career behind to find himself His performance want good but after listening again. He still sounding better than some of these people who made it through on xfactor and even idol auditions. Who knows what could have happened if he was given a chance to compose himself ? Our friendship had its ups and downs but swing these comments are all these sites....well I wouldn't wish that on anybody! He already having a hard time about this. He doesn't need more negativity from people who don't know about him or even from people who know him. Everybody needs another chance. Live and learn !
+0
... written by To Peer,
September 17, 2012
Peer, does he have a drug problem that caused a decline in his voice and how he acted during the full audition tape. If he stops doing what he is doing, isn't that the answer for him and he can get help?I have seen his videos of him performing and opening for Britney, he was not nervous then? Something has changed...maybe he can fix it but he was set up for sure.
+0
... written by The Full Audition Opens your eyes,
September 17, 2012
When you watch the full audition, LA, said "you have a decent voice" and Don sings the whole song, (it isn't terrible, it just sounds like he talks). But the whole audience was clapping, and cheering when he was done, not booing like it showed on TV. Amazing how editing changes things. His voice was really was not bad..just not to his potential
keep singing though I did like your voice. And I do t think you upset Britney at all. If you keep performing I will definatley come to a concert!!!!!
