The recent cover story in The Hollywood Reporter featuring Andy Cohen, the prominent host of Watch What Happens Live and producer at Bravo, ignited widespread conversation. While the interview delved into serious allegations surrounding the Real Housewives franchise, including sexism, racism, and substance abuse, it was a seemingly lighter query that truly captured public attention: the nature of Cohen’s long-standing friendship with rock star John Mayer.
Interviewer Maer Roshan broached the subject directly, noting, “Your friendship with Mayer has been the subject of intense speculation. People seem dubious that a straight rock star can have a close, platonic relationship with a gay TV personality.” Cohen’s response was straightforward: “Let them speculate. I honestly love John Mayer, and he loves me. But because we are so affectionate to each other, people don’t know what box to put that in. They assume we are sleeping with each other, which we are most definitely not.”
This excerpt from the extensive 5,000-word interview quickly went viral, picked up by numerous news outlets ranging from CNN to the Daily Mail. Perhaps even more notably, the question resonated with John Mayer himself, prompting the guitarist to pen a thoughtful response to The Hollywood Reporter.
Mayer’s email, published by THR, directly addressed Roshan’s premise. He began by stating, “I read your interview with Andy Cohen, and was intrigued by your line of questioning regarding our friendship. You posited that ‘your friendship with Mayer has been a subject of intense speculation. People seem dubious that a straight rock star can have a close platonic relationship with a gay TV personality.'”
Mayer challenged the notion that such skepticism is widespread or justified. He countered, “First, there is a long and storied history of “rock stars” (not mocking, just won’t refer to myself as one) befriending gay icons and artists.” He further argued that doubting their platonic bond “is to undermine the public’s ability to accept and understand diversity in all facets of culture, be it in art or in real life.” Mayer expressed his belief in the public’s sophistication, stating, “I’d like to think they’re sophisticated enough to see a relationship like ours without assuming it must include a sexual component. That turns the concept of being gay into an ignorantly two-dimensional one, which I know you know it’s not.”
Mayer’s response passionately defended the validity and normalcy of platonic friendships between men, regardless of sexual orientation. He criticized the line of questioning as based on “selectively flimsy logic” and a “deeply flawed” premise. He concluded by asserting, “Quite simply, if someone is dubious of a platonic relationship between a straight man and a gay man, I don’t think that shallow a view deserves clarification by anyone with self respect, be it Andy or your publication. Reinforcing the idea that any gay/straight relationship needs qualification that it’s not sexual devoids everyone involved of their dignity.”
Ultimately, both Andy Cohen and John Mayer have addressed the speculation surrounding their friendship with candor and intelligence. Their responses highlight the importance of recognizing and respecting diverse forms of relationships, moving beyond outdated stereotypes and assumptions. The public’s fascination with their bond, while perhaps intrusive, has inadvertently opened up a broader conversation about platonic love and the evolving understanding of male friendships in contemporary society.
