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Clementine Ford says she did not come out in "Diva"First things first: Clementine Ford does not say she's not gay; nor did she ever really say she was. Even though Diva magazine put her on the cover of their March issue with the text "Clementine Ford Comes Out," the actress wants you to know that she didn't — not at all.
"The first thing that really upset me was that the cover line ... It was really misleading and full of misquotes to sell the magazine," Ford told TV Guide. "If someone’s buying it to see that I came out, well, get your money back." As we reported previously, the U.K.-based lesbian magazine Diva took this quote and ran with it:
Ford, who played Molly, Shane's one-time girlfriend on The L Word, went on to clarify her comments about Katherine Moennig to TV Guide, saying: That Diva article also picked up quotes from a podcast interview I did with AfterEllen.com where the interviewer asked me if the sex on The L Word was real, and I very jokingly said, “Yes, we actually had sex. The L Word is porn. The secret’s out!” And the Diva writer printed it as fact that Kate and I had real sex on camera! I was like, “Oh, my God, I hate you!” I almost wrote a nasty letter and then I stopped myself because I thought, if anyone is stupid enough to actually believe that Showtime would let us have real sex, then that’s not my problem. So that was that. But it made me very angry.
The podcast she refers to is her appearance on This Just Out with Liz Feldman, on which AfterEllen.com readers should know all interviews are meant to be taken very, very seriously. (And just for those newbies who might be Clem fans and stumbled onto the site for the first time, that's complete sarcasm.) To clarify her comments and misquotes about Kate, Clementine says, "I would never say anything about someone else’s sexuality. Ever." Well that settles that. So is Clementine Ford gay? Maybe, but she doesn't feel the need for a label, and doesn't want to be utilized as a poster child or a selling point for magazines. She wants to have a career that's free of labels — including Cybill Shepherd's daughter.
"A lot of people think I get roles because of my mom," Ford told TV Guide. "She did ask them to consider me for The L Word but the show shot in Vancouver and they wanted to hire a Canadian because Molly was only intended to be a one-episode part. She said, 'Please, just watch her reel.' That’s all. She could have gotten on her knees and begged but if they didn’t think I was right for the job they wouldn’t have given it to me. And it was the show’s idea to bring me back for Season 5 when Molly became a lesbian. My mom had nothing to do with that. People will probably always compare us, even though we’re very different in our style and look. She’s tall and blond and stretched out. I’m short and brunette and round. Whaddya gonna do?" She might not have much control over what the press writes, but Ford wants to be in control of her career, which is picking up now that she's joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as Mac Browning. Her debut on the soap will be April 1, which she seems thrilled about. "In a weird way it’s a much bigger deal, too," Ford said of joining the cast. "When I told people I was going to be on The L Word, they’d say 'What’s that?' or 'Is that still on the air?' But everybody seems to know Y&R.
I know my mom and grandmother do, but they're more in it for Victor Newman than any of the ladies. Still, my mom has always been a Cybill Shepherd fan, and it was one reason she would watch The L Word herself. Will you be keeping up with Clementine on The Young and the Restless? What do you think about the Diva article and Ford’s follow-up comments on not having come out? Submitted by on March 23, 2009 - 5:00pm. |
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Interesting....
She says that gay kids are
She says that gay kids are more important than not wanting to be labelled, but she resents being labelled?
"Hmmm," is all I have to say on that. Hmmm.
exactly!
Sooo basically the article
Why don't people like labels?
I'm really asking here. I'm bisexual, and that label is important to me, because if I don't use it, people make erroneous assumptions about my life. If I do, they probably still make wrong and stereotyped assumptions, but at least I'm not lying.
I really believe that people have the right to call themselves whatever they want or nothing at all. But the people I've met who don't label their sexuality confuse me.
The vast majority of the people I've met who say they don't like labels have later gone on to weird or offensive things like bisexuality--saying we're all sluts, or that our attractions have to be split 50/50 between men & women, or that we can't be attracted to trans people--that blatantly contradict the way I & most of the bi people I know see ourselves. And it seems to me that's not fair. I will respect you and your choice not to label, but please extend me the same respect.
Obviously I don't think all non-labelers are biphobic; there's a lot of variety in any group. But it troubles me how common it is.
I've also met some people who say they don't like labels, then go on to use labels in other contexts. In other words, they're happy to say they're a woman, or white, or black, or Italian-American, or Polish, or a citizen of the Netherlands, or a mother or a sister or a runner or an Olympic swimmer or a CEO. (Usually not all at once.) So I tend to think their objection is not really a dislike of labels per se.
I mean, I can understand feeling that sexuality is an unimportant facet of who you are; that's not how I feel personally, but I can imagine it. I have brown hair. I don't think that says anything about me. I don't think of myself in terms of my hair color; I don't have any desire to date or befriend others with my hair color; I'm not interested in films or TV shows about people with brown hair; I wouldn't come to a website about people with brown hair. But I also wouldn't be upset if someone called me a brunette. If hair color's that important to you, go ahead and count me.
The people I've talked about this with do object to being called bisexual (or lesbian, or queer, etc.) When I ask why, their answers tend to be about the stigma.
In other words, the problem isn't the label, or even the impulse to divide people up and attach labels to them; it's a world that treats people with different labels differently, and some worse than others. That's the injustice we need to change.
But I haven't figured our a way of banding together and working to change the world that doesn't involve labeling ourselves so we can find each other.
Labels
...
I can understand why she'd be pissed off. TBH I kinda got the feeling the entire Diva article was bullsh*t when they used the quote from This Just Out and failed to point out that it was a joke. Shoddy journalism - did they really think that none of their readers actually watch This Just Out??
completely unrelated
hmm im confused so is she gay ?
well im not very impressed with the follow up comments i think shes mad about the article but why do an article about her sexuality and now back track i mean didnt she say that while prop 8 was happening in a simple way to be visible including herself but i guess her individuality is more important than visibilty
im confused aswell but now shes confused me good one clementine :D
doesn't bother me....
I agree, 100%
I think part of the pressure stems from the GQBLT community being so starved for mainstream representation -- as someone else put it, "the next Portia di Rossi". The cover was milking the story for what it was worth -- and it worked, obvs.
Also, I'm pretty sure her comment on The L Word was taken from a career standpoint, not a personal one. I hope she succeeds, regardless. Gay or straight or somewhere in-between, she's still an amazing ally.
Not surprised
When I first read the headlines related to CF 'coming out', I read the actual quotes and thought 'huh?' It didn't exactly sound like coming out to me. It isn't the first time that one of these magazines has gone for the sensational headline regardless of the facts. Sometimes I wonder if journalism schools today spend too much time teaching 'creative headlines', and not enough teaching 'listening skills' or 'reading comprehension'.
Basically
How dare Clementine actually
How dare Clementine actually still want to KEEP WORKING and making money so she can have a roof and food and stuff!? The nerve of her! She should just come out - whether she's gay or not - just to please US!
Fucking hell, the stupid burns.
Diva is a notorious RAG. They misquote, ask insulting and degrading questions, don't bother to fact-check or proof and people are ... surprised? ... that they pulled a stunt like this? o.O Kinda makes me disappointed in Rachel Shelley for accepting that offer to work with them, to be honest.
Duh Diva
pshaw
Heh
Well, to be fair, Young and
Aint THAT the truth. I'm
That's exactly what I was
That's exactly what I was thinking.
I Believe Clementine Ford's Side of The Story
www.myspace.com/lunakiss7.com
In regards to the botched up story in DIVA magazine. I actually believe this celeberity side of story for once. The reason being the article seemed to jump around too much and zero in only one thing-her sexuality. The title was defintely misleading. She didn't come out. She's right. She was expressing her views. DIVA magazine should be lumped into the Tabeloid section. I really don't care what C.F. labels herself or not label herself she shouldn't been treated that way. Celeberities need to be careful these days.
To Maclay: No, journalism schools do not teach "shoddy journalism". In fact they're strict b/c of the ethics and school's reptutation is at stake. So they are careful in what they print b/c it can cost those schools a lot of money. I know b/c I got a degree in journalism. What happened to C.F. was sensationalism writing and that's different from true journalism taught at universities/colleges.
Yeh...
That's kind of the point I was making. I'd imagine a skilled journalist would research their subject and be aware of their audience, but in this case the journalist (I'm pretty sure she'd label herself such) just appears to have twisted the words to write the story that would generate the most publicity and therefore sell the most copies.
My comment wasn't a slight on journalism as a whole, just this particular case.
When this article first
When this article first came out I had some questions as well because she never actally stated "I am a lesbian" or "I am gay" or anything of the sort. Interviewers have a tendency to get a bit overzealous with stories like this, and especially when they involve young or up-and-coming actors. I am glad that she clarified things the way she did, and didn't pander to such an ignorant source with any sort of like-minded gesture. Gay, straight, bi, or otherwise, she's gorgeous, talented, and intelligent. What more could you ask for in a young performer?
Mud
I think it's the way Clementine communicates - clear as mud. The more I read of direct quotes by her the more I don't want to read.
Her understanding of how she got the L Word job is less than enlightened. Her mother asked them to please watch her reel, and Clementine states: "That's it." That's EVERYTHING. If other actresses had that privilege one of them would have beaten her out for the part. At first her woodenness seemed like the character's nerves, but as time went on that didn't change.
I think she's perfect for a daytime soap.
two points
I'm glad someone else responded to this - I was laughing when I read about how 'little' her mum helped in getting the part. Is she serious?! Does she really not know just how much help it would be to have Cybil telling them to consider you for the part? She changed her odds from probably one in a few thousand, to one in ten! (I have no idea of the figures, but you get my drift).
Also, I find it rather dubious that AE would run a story based on a Diva 'article' in the first place. Sloppy work!
I'm so tired
I'm so tired of people saying they don't like labels. In my opinion what they don't want is a label (gay or bi) which might affect their career. Have you noticed that hetereosexuals don't mind their label?
I'm not blaming this actress, but the world we live in where a label such as lesbian or bisexual is seen as an anchor around your neck.
She is hot, she is straight
Whatever sexual orientation she is, whatever makes her happy makes me happy.
My housemate bought that mag, she is hot, but I wouldnt believe she is gay to start with.
Anyway, but we do need more gay celebrities, so the glbt mags have something better to write than to make up stories
(p.s. all tabloids do, diva isnt the first or the last to do so, cut them some slacks)
Photography, Bicycle, Motorcycle, Tennis, Badminton, Motorcycle, Bowling, Traveling, Engineering
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she kinda reminds me of
she kinda reminds me of lizzy caplan...
either way
god bless whomever with whichever when they want it however.
"One disadvantage of having nothing to do is you can't stop and rest." - Franklin P. Jones
i remember writing my
i remember writing my comment saying "Girls, slow down! she didn't say she was gay, she said No labels! thats different."
cuz everyone was saying "yes she's gay! i knew it."
i was like "where did ya'll get that? she didnt even say that!"
Then everyone got mad at me. lol... boooo...
what are u gonna do. .....
im glad Clem cleared the air. Cuz i understood it the way SHE wanted it to be read! she didnt say she was gay! she said no labels. :)
I think it's horrible that
I remember being puzzled by
I remember being puzzled by the magazine headline ahead of the issue's release, I didn't disblieve it, I just didn't expect that sort of revelation to be made to a magazine.
I do know tho, that from a media perspective, the tagline had one simple aim, and it probably worked. Sell more copies. The magazines/paper trade is shrinking, two monthly women's glossies have folded so far, and everyone, no matter the niche I think, is competing more than ever for their position in the market. So from a business perspective it was a shrewd move. And it worked. I don't buy DIVA every month, but I bought it this month because I was intrigued by the headline, altho not necessarily voraciously interested in the gossip.
From a creative perspective, the headline was an exaggeration and if Clem was really bothered I think she could take it to the Press Complaints Commission, misrepresentation. She didn't make the statement, they made an assumption. The out of context misquote from This Just Out was also clunky and I don't see how that could be relied upon as "evidence" to back up any statements made by the journo in the article.
I found that editors and senior writers take it for granted that you will be after a salacious scoop, such as capturing someone's 'coming out'. That took me back, because I wouldn't have put many glossies, including DIVA, in the tabloid gossip rag market. I don't want to go after those stories.
But there are actors already wary of this who have done interviews with DIVA already. I may be leaning into gossip myself here, which is what I'm railing against over all, but I was told that people like Kate Moennig were worried about journos trying to out them, and so weren't as easily persuaded to do interviews. If I spoke to Kate Moenning I wouldn't want to out her, I'd just want to talk to her. Maybe the fact I wouldn't be after the hard nosed selling point for a magazine means that I'll not quite make it in journalism. Which is sad for my career to say the least, but I don't want to contribute to that.
I've also been in the position of having written articles for even small publications and finding the editor has taken one small part of the article to make an attention grabbing headline that has very little to do with the piece as a whole. That's annoying to read back, but isn't the same as fabrication entirely. Unless this is like the whole Jenny 'I saw you cheating on Tina' thing with Bette. The writer, in all honesty, interpreted with good faith that Clem's remarks about bringing both men and women home and not wanting a label, as code for Clem coming out. That's the best honourable defence, I can think of.
If Clementine for some reason did not
Oh Clementine
When the story was first posted at AE, I said, "I think the DIVA headline is far more ostentatious than what Ford actually says." The article just seemed so stilted that I never really bought into the notion that Clementine actually came out of the closet. That said, I find her defense less than inspiring, but at least she doesn't fall into the trap of being overtly insulting as other rumored lesbians have.
I'm not sure, though, that she's not being a little naïve about the role her last name has played in advancing her career. I mean, c'mon. Hopefully, she'll develop her own sea legs through the acting boot camp that soaps tend to provide.
I'll be watching her arrival on Y&R, if only because her character's going to have scenes with Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe; formerly Frankie/Maggie on AMC) and I think they'll be fun to watch.
Darling Clementine
Thats the first thing my mind went too! Liz Hendrickson and Clementine Ford on the same show, thats gonna be gooood. Ive been into soaps again as of late anywayz *cough*Otalia*cough*, but i might have to start checking out Y&R a bit more then.
Also i feel the same about the article, i never took it as being truthful. Why make up this fake statement for the cover and then show an article that basically does not prove anything! Dont care either way, i like her and thats that
Is it sad that I just
Confusing but..who cares?
She reminds me of an ex-girlfriend of mine that she used to say to me : "I am not a lesbian, I'm a gay woman" . Hmf... go figure..!
Anyway, its just great that she is an openmided person so I don't care about her sexuallity at all!
But I also think that its lame to believe it's cooler to be on Y&R just because it is more well known. Terrible criteria!
My Pussy-Wagon died on me!
Oh c'mon!
I never want to put a label on myself — but knowing that not everyone comes from such a liberal place, when something like Prop 8 comes out, you realize it’s important to stand up and be counted. A little gay kid in a small town is more important than whether I want a label.
Oh c'mon Clementine, you stood up to be counted for the little gay kids, and now you want to take it back again?
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Who doesn't have a blog these days?
eurOut for the latest recaps of your favourite European lesbian storylinesppl say it's a big NO NO to
ppl say it's a big NO NO to be a lesbian in Hollywood. so if she wanna be an actress as her career of course not being labelled whether it's true or not. coming out is definitely a personal thing. Jodie foster was in the closet for that long, it's her decision tho. u don't really need that label to like her.
-1 for the team
C, I'm replying, just because. Explaining - because I know your skills in the "arts" + nunchucks...
Tbh, her points went up roughly 2-3 when I stumbled on the article here on AE. What she said, didn't even hint at her sexuality but I "convinced" myself that she was not ------------. Well, what can we do...
other than watch Y&R
*googles: What is the Young and the Restless about anyways?*
Her NOT being gay has
ugh I hate when people shove
I think she alluded to
I think she alluded to being at least bi (since she married a guy, but said that they used to bring home men and women), but they wrote it as she was gay. If she's really bi - Considering that bisexuals are always slammed in the media, I can understand why she doesn't want to be labelled.
She wants to keep her options open perhaps. Imagine if she admitted to dating a girl now, and later found a guy that she really loved. What would the papers say? "Clementine Ford goes back to men!!!!!!!!!!!" Would it be good for the gay cause?
Perhaps a normal interview has been tweaked to show its salacious side, and CF didn't like it.
This whole thing just
This whole thing just confuses me more.
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I just find it suspicious
I just find it suspicious that she was all about flying the rainbow flag proudly(figuratively speaking) and expressing the gay love when she was on the L Word, whether she admitted to being bi/lesbian/whatever or not, and now that she's on a soap (which tend to be sickeningly hetero, to an extreme degree) she's all, "Hey, I didn't come out! I did it for the children! It's all about the gay children!" If she truly cared about the "children" she wouldn't even dignify Diva's alleged mistake with a response. But she seems to be upset that she was labelled as something other than straight. I wonder if she has given an equally scathing reply when someone in the press calls her "straight", or alludes to her having a boyfriend.
Listen, if you want to talk about shunning labels and being gay friendly, then don't make an ass out of yourself by taking back a statement that, for better or worse, implies that you're something other than straight.
I still think she's adorable, and wouldn't care either way whether she's gay or straight or bi, or anything in between and beyond. Just, please, don't pretend to be more sexually enlightened than you truly are, and then show your true colors. That's the only thing that made her less appealing in my eyes; I always thought she was straight and didn't really mind it.
Oh well, I'll join the chorus: how disappointing.
I think you just
said what some of us feel about this. I hope Clem reads this comment.
Who's confused
I've been waiting for this.
Typical
Concrete info. I've learned today:
Clementine Ford's Response to Labels:
lmao!!!
cute and funny photo xD
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