I’m A Celebrity’s Jack Vidgen says it ‘felt incredible’ to come out as gay in an emotional exchange with Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico – but was worried his admission would be seen as ‘perverted’ or ‘dirty’ by others
Jack Vidgen addressed his sexuality with AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico on Sunday night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The 23-year-old singer said that while it ‘felt incredible’ to finally come out as gay, he worried that it would be seen as ‘perverted’ or ‘dirty’ by others.
Jack, who won Australia’s Got Talent in 2011, told Dipper that he ‘probably would have been ready’ to come out sooner, had he not been thrust into the spotlight.
Heartfelt: I’m A Celebrity’s Jack Vidgen (pictured), 23, said it ‘felt incredible’ to come out as gay at age 19 in an emotional exchange with AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico on Sunday’s episode
While in camp, Dipper, 62, asked Jack when he realised he was attracted to men.
‘I feel like I probably would have been ready to come out earlier. But probably because, just everything that happened and being known and in the public… and also [Australia’s Got Talent],’ Jack said.
Jack revealed how he had a girlfriend from age 17 to 19, that was more of a ‘glorified friendship’, and felt ready to come out as gay when he started seeing his ex again.
Candid discussion: While in camp, Dipper (pictured), 62, asked Jack when he realised he was attracted to men
Downside of fame: Jack revealed that he ‘probably would have been ready to come out earlier’ had he not been thrust into the spotlight after winning Australia’s Got Talent in 2011
‘Oh it was incredible,’ the singer said of how it felt to come out as gay to friends and family. ‘[It was] one of the most incredible feelings of my life.’
Jack admitted however that he struggled over how some would perceive his sexuality.
‘It becomes just something in your head that’s like… dirty and disturbed. And it becomes… you think something’s perverted when it really isn’t,’ he said.
‘It becomes something in your head that’s dirty and disturbed’: Jack told Dipper that while it ‘felt incredible’ to come out as gay at age 19 to friends and family, he struggled over how some would perceive his sexuality
‘Love is love… but hearing other people accept it and say, “That’s so normal. That’s so okay”,’ he went on to say.
In a piece to camera, Jack later said that it was ‘a beautiful moment’ to have someone like Dipper be interested in his relationships, and asking about his love life ‘without it being weird’.
Jack publicly came out as gay in May 2019, when he was staging his comeback on hit series, The Voice.
Emotional exchange: Jack and Dipper warmly embraced, with Dipper telling the singer that it’s wonderful he is owning his sexuality
Raw and honest: In a piece to camera, Jack later said that it was ‘a beautiful moment’ to have someone like Dipper be interested in his relationships, and asking about his love life ‘without it being weird’
He told New Idea magazine at the time: ‘Hopefully I’ll find a husband!’
Jack continued: ‘I’m happy and single. I’m just grateful for this opportunity and to be let back into people’s lounge rooms and share my story.’
Since stepping away from the music industry in 2014, Jack has become a familiar face on Sydney’s gay scene.
In March last year, he showed his support at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, wearing glittery hotpants and a cropped jumper.
Reality TV comeback: Jack publicly came out as gay in May 2019, when he was staging his comeback on hit series, The Voice