Jason Brock, the fabulously out and proud "X Factor" contestant, was the first to be voted off the show this season, but the San Francisco singer said he thinks his sexuality may have hurt his chances in the competition.
Brock, who was nicknamed "Mr. Entertainer" because of his penchant for glitter and flashy styling, was voted off the show last week despite a heartfelt rendition of Bonnie Tyler's '80s classic "Total Eclipse of the Heart."
Brock left with his chin held high, however, announcing he did it "for the gays and Japan!" (Brock's boyfriend lives in Japan.) But speaking to reporters after the show, Brock said that he knew being openly gay was something of a risk.
"I think that being gay is a wild card in itself," he said, according to Entertainment Weekly. "Like, when you’re gay, some people still aren’t okay with being gay. So there are actually people in the country — maybe a fair percentage, I don’t know how many — who think it’s actually wrong. So I wouldn’t doubt it if it does hurt [to be out on this show], in a way."
In an interview with Yahoo! Music, Brock clarified, "Yes, I think that the gay thing could have had some influence on the voting, because there's a good portion of America that still thinks being gay is wrong."
"But I was prepared for that, and I don't regret being me...and I have to say, I really appreciate 'The X Factor' for never asking me to [not be myself]. The show itself was always encouraging me to be myself, for the most part. No one ever said I was 'too gay' or needed to 'tone it down'--thank goodness!"
Some viewers compared Brock's handling of his sexuality to that of American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert's. Earlier this week, Brock spoke with The Hollywood Reporter and addressed the comparison.
"I'm just gay, does that mean we're the same?" Brock said.
Although, as THR points out, Lambert was not openly gay during his time on "American Idol." He only came out after he lost to Kris Allen -- a loss some bloggers at the time chalked up to silent homophobia.
On the other hand, Brock had his hands full trying to impress snarky judge Simon Cowell, who poked fun at the singer's attire and said he was fat, according to the singer.
"I just think Simon didn’t like who I was. To him, he may not have seen a pop star," Brock said after the show.
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