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Was American Idol contestant ‘too gay’ for competition?

By Dexter Brown ⋅ March 8, 2008 ⋅  Email this article ⋅  Print this article ⋅ Post a comment

Danny Noriega: Are we a teapot?

Is it possible for one to be too gay for American Idol?

That is the question being asked by supporters of Danny Noriega, the 18-year-old from Azusa, California, who was denied a berth in the Top 12 of the top-rated singing competition’s seventh season.

Noriega, who has been described appropriately by judge Paula Abdul as this season’s “spicy bright light,” was cut from the competition Thursday, along with Luke Menard, Asia’h Epperson and Kady Malloy.

“I’m still reeling from disbelief,” says Rainer Maloney, president of the Young Gays of America. “He was such a shining inspiration for us all. He proved that you can be gay and be a real contender on American Idol.”

“Until we have a completely homosexual world, there will always be sad stories like Danny Noriega’s.”

Unfortunately, being gay may have hindered Noriega from advancing further in the competition, according to self-described media pundit Meagan Michigan.

“It was refreshing to see someone with such unmitigated effrontery like Danny in the competition,” says Michigan. “But let’s face it, teenaged girls and young adult women comprise a majority of the show’s voting audience. They typically have no problems being friends with a gay man, but in the end, they will go and vote for someone like David Archuleta or Michael Johns. You know, someone that they can dream and fantasize about.”

Noriega’s “in-your-face gayness,” Michigan adds, may have been too real for America in general.

“Such an outlandish display of homosexuality may have been tolerated on TV shows like Will & Grace, but not on a show like American Idol,” she says. “When it’s just ‘acting’, most people have no problems with it, but when someone is being true to themselves, people get uncomfortable. It’s the sad reality.”

Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, co-secretary general of the International Lesbian & Gay Association, agrees.

“Until we have a completely homosexual world, there will always be sad stories like Danny Noriega’s,” says Flamer-Caldera in a press release following Noriega’s elimination. “Which is why we are increasing our efforts to turn everyone in the world gay. This is the only way to put an end to this unfair and unjust discrimination.”

Some of Noriega’s fans were a little more realistic and weren’t surprised by the outcome.

“It was fun to see him perform, zany antics and all,” says Geno Lupinacci, a Portland, Oregon drag queen who goes by the stage name Esther Glide. “But it just wasn’t in the cards. He’s too fabulous for the show.”

Still, despite the setback, Lupinacci sees a bright future for Noriega.

“He was born to be on stage,” says Lupinacci. “Danny, honey, if you’re ever in the Portland area, hit me up. I can show you some real nice tricks, boo.”

When asked how he felt about his elimination, Noriega was surprisingly nonchalant.

“Like, whatever. I’m so over it,” says the teen, who is now focusing on furthering his career by accumulating as many friends as possible on MySpace.