Stevie Wonder Apologizes For Saying Gay People -- Like Frank Ocean --Are ‘Confused’

By Tom Herrmann | September 01 2012 2:23 PM

Stevie Wonder caused a stir with his remarks that some gay people -- specifically the recently outed rising star Frank Ocean -- are "confused." The famed singer-songwriter has now apologized, calling himself an "advocate for the power of love."

Reuters

Whitney Houston, the brilliant American pop music icon, died at the age of 48 on Saturday, Feb. 11. Her funeral was held on Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., the same building that Houston grew up signing in. Several celebrities, many of whom made speeches and performances, attended the event. Attendees included Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, Tyler Perry, Kevin Costner and Stevie Wonder.

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In an interview with the Guardian when R&B singer Frank Ocean was brought into conversation, Wonder said, "I think honestly, some people who think they're gay, they're confused."

"People can misconstrue closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond," the 62-year-old Wonder continued. "I'm not saying all [gay people are confused]. Some people have a desire to be with the same sex. But that's them."

Wonder gave a statement to the gay magazine the Advocate on Saturday, backtracking from his earlier remarks.

"I'm sorry that my words about anyone feeling confused about their love were misunderstood. No one has been a greater advocate for the power of love in this world than I; both in my life and in my music. Clearly, love is love, between a man and a woman, a woman and a man, a woman and a woman and a man and a man. What I'm not confused about is the world needing much more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and more unity, peace and understanding. Period."

The Guardian points out in the article containing Wonder's controversial quotes that the two musicians' music has similarities. "Reviews of Ocean's 2012 album, 'Channel Orange,' drew comparisons with Wonder's music at its most expansive," notes the Guadian.

Wonder even sang the hook for the Kanye West and Jay-Z song featuring Frank Ocean, "No Church in the Wild." The song was released in August 2011 on their joint album "Watch the Throne."

The Odd Future member came out as being gay or bisexual early in July with a Tumblr post.

"4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I'd see him, and his smile. I'd hear his conversation and his silence ... until it was time to sleep. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless..." reads one of the excerpts.

"Thanks. To my mother, you raised me strong. I know I'm only braved because you were first ... so thank you," wrote Ocean at the end of the blog. "All of you. For everything good. I feel like a free man. If I listen closely ... I can hear the sky falling too."

Ocean is set to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 6, and on the premiere of the upcoming 38th season of "Saturday Night Live" on Sept. 15, according to MTV. Ocean will take the "SNL" stage along with host and "Ted" director Seth MacFarlane.