John Travolta is one of the most famous and successful actors in Hollywood, known for his roles in movies such as Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, and Hairspray. But for decades, he has also been the subject of rumors and speculations about his sexual orientation. Is John Travolta gay? The short answer is: no, he is not. He has repeatedly denied being gay or bisexual, and he was married to actress Kelly Preston for 29 years until her death in 2020. However, the rumors have persisted and some celebrities have even claimed to know the truth about Travolta’s sexuality. In this article, we will explore the origin and evolution of these rumors, Travolta’s response and defense, and the reactions of his co-stars and friends.
John Travolta’s Sexual Orientation Rumors
The rumors about Travolta’s sexuality started in the late 1980s, when a male porn star named Paul Barresi claimed that he had a three-year affair with Travolta. He later recanted his story and said it was fabricated, but the damage was done. Since then, several other men have come forward alleging sexual contact or harassment by Travolta, including massage therapists, pilots, and hotel employees. Some of these accusations have resulted in lawsuits that were either dismissed, settled, or withdrawn.
One of the most sensational allegations came from a former Scientologist named Robert Randolph, who wrote a book titled You’ll Never Spa in This Town Again. In it, he claimed that he had witnessed Travolta having sex with other men in Los Angeles bathhouses for over a decade. He also alleged that Travolta’s marriage to Preston was a sham arranged by the Church of Scientology to cover up his homosexuality.
Travolta’s Denial and Marriage to Kelly Preston
Travolta has always maintained that he is not gay or bisexual, and that he loves his wife and children. He has also sued or threatened to sue several media outlets and individuals who have spread or published the rumors about his sexuality. He has accused them of defamation, invasion of privacy, and extortion. He has also received support from his lawyers, publicists, and Scientology representatives, who have dismissed the rumors as false and motivated by money or malice.
Travolta met Preston in 1987 while filming The Experts. They married in 1991 and had three children: Jett, Ella, and Benjamin. Jett died in 2009 at the age of 16 from a seizure related to his autism and Kawasaki disease. Preston died in 2020 at the age of 57 from breast cancer. Travolta and Preston were devoted to each other and their family, and often expressed their love and admiration publicly. They also starred together in several movies, such as Battlefield Earth, Old Dogs, and Gotti.
Celebrities’ Responses to the Rumors
Some of Travolta’s co-stars and friends have commented on the rumors about his sexuality over the years. Some have confirmed them, while others have denied them or defended him.
One of the most outspoken celebrities who claimed to know the truth about Travolta was Carrie Fisher, who died in 2016. In a 2010 interview with The Advocate, she said: “I know you and Travolta go way back, so let’s get really blunt here: Does his legal team have any business demanding Gawker remove a recent post suggesting that he’s given blow jobs?” She answered: “Wow! I mean, my feeling about John has always been that we know and we don’t care. Look, I’m sorry that he’s uncomfortable with it, and that’s all I can say. It only draws more attention to it when you make that kind of legal fuss. Just leave it be.” She also said in a 2009 article for Out magazine: “We don’t really care that John Travolta is gay.”
Another co-star who had a close relationship with Travolta was Kirstie Alley, who died in 2022. She starred with him in the Look Who’s Talking franchise and considered him her best friend. She also admitted that she had fallen in love with him while filming the first movie, but never acted on it because she was married at the time. She said on The Dan Wootton Interview podcast in 2018: “I did love him; I still love him … If I hadn’t been married I would’ve gone and married him.” She also said on Celebrity Big Brother U.K. that year: “I almost ran off and married John … If I hadn’t been married I would’ve gone and married him.” However, she denied that he was gay or bisexual, and said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2013: “I know John with all my heart and soul; he’s not gay … I think in some weird way, in Hollywood if someone gets big enough and famous enough … they want them to be gay.”
Conclusion
John Travolta is not gay; he is a heterosexual man who was married to a woman for almost three decades and had three children with her. He has faced numerous rumors and allegations about his sexual orientation, but he has always denied them and defended his reputation and privacy. He has also received support and love from his co-stars and friends, some of whom have confirmed or denied the rumors. Travolta is one of the most iconic and successful actors in Hollywood, and his sexuality should not overshadow his talent and achievements.
