I’m A Celebrity’s breakout boy Justin Lacko wants everyone to know that a person’s sexuality is ‘no one else’s business’.
This follows fevered speculation that he might be gay – an identity he has always rejected – and his revelation on TV last night that he has apparently cut off contact with his own grandmother after she questioned if he might be in the closet.
Ordinarily I’d agree with Justin about the importance of respecting people’s sexual privacy. But it’s a very strange attitude from someone who has quite literally sold his romantic potential, and shared plenty of idle talk of his sexual attractions for various women, as part of his well-paid gigs on Love Island and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Outta Here.
When Gogglebox beauty Angie entered the jungle, he seemingly couldn’t recall his love of privacy on sexuality and matters of the heart as he gushed to all and sundry about how ‘hot’ she is. Show producers lapped up the narrative, heavily promoting ‘I’m A Celebrity’s first-ever romance.’
‘I obviously find her very attractive,’ he raved. ‘Here I am in the African jungle, and it’s only been three days and already one girl’s come in and she’s caught my eye!’
He’s also waxed lyrical about the size of his penis.
Justin certainly knows how to get air time – and headlines. Love Island was a great training ground.
Clearly, being open about sexuality can prove highly lucrative in some circumstances.
As fans know, nothing ever came of the purported coupling with Angie. Justin’s air time has remained high, but his narrative has since shifted radically.
Last night he complained that his own grandmother dared to ask questions.
‘My nana was telling my mum who I was,’ he said.
Grandparents asking probing personal questions is rarely a comfortable topic, and Justin wouldn’t be alone in feeling unsettled. But when Richard Reid mentioned that many of the model’s TV followers ask questions about him, things got more complex.
‘I think I don’t want to talk about this anymore, because obviously I don’t think we are going to see eye to eye,’ said Justin.
Angie then challenged him for ‘backing out of the conversation.’
Justin has firm views on the boundaries of what he will and won’t talk about. Fair enough. So do I.
The idea that anyone is owed details about the sexual proclivities of strangers, relatives, or their next door neighbours is absurd.
But when someone commodifies representations of their sexuality, as Justin has done on these shows, they’re on very thin ice by complaining when consumers ask questions about what they’re being sold.
No one should be bullied, no one should be abused, no one should be berated – that goes without saying. Personally, I’m not going to ask any questions about Justin’s sexuality because I just don’t care.
But if you don’t want scrutiny, stop selling your romantic interests on cheap reality shows, and maybe go work in a bank, where what you do in bed is unambiguously no one’s business.
This article was originally published on WHO
Related stories
The 3 types of friends every girl should have
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
