News
GMA Co-Anchor Robin Roberts Comes Out Publicly, Acknowledging Her Longtime Girlfriend!


Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Add Robin Roberts to the list of celebrities who in 2013 officially came out! The Good Morning America co-anchor posted a touching message on her facebook page which was prompted by the fact that a year earlier, in 2012, she reached an important 100 day-milestone after undergoing a blood marrow transplant, and she reflected on how grateful she was for the people in her life.
Roberts wrote: “Hard to believe this was 1 year ago today..when I reached a critical milestone of 100 days post transplant…and KJ was finally allowed to come back home. Reading this comforts me and I hope the same for you: ‘If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.’ At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy and gratitude. I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health.
I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life. I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together. I am grateful for the many prayers and well wishes for my recovery. I return every one of them to you 100 fold. On this last Sunday of 2013 I encourage you to reflect on what you are grateful for too. Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year. Peace, love, and blessings to all..XO”
According to an ABC spokesperson, Roberts longtime girlfriend was revealed to be Amber Laign, a massage therapist in private practice originally from the Bay Area, and noted that the two had met through mutual friends. Laign specializes in helping people recovering from injuries.
Of note is Roberts recognizing her girlfriend just days over anti-gay remarks made by Phil Robertson, of A&E’s reality series “Duck Dynasty.” According to Variety: During an interview with GQ, Robertson cast aspersions on people in same-sex relationships and African-Americans, prompting a suspension by the cabler’s parent, A+E Networks, and a quick reversal of the decision – drawing anger from supporters of both Robertson and the groups he offended. As co-host of what is arguably the nation’s favorite morning program, Roberts may help fuel more discussion and debate in this latest clash of cultural values.”
It is also worth-noting that it was Roberts who interviewed President Barack Obama, when he came forth with his stance in support of gay marriage.
What do you think Roberts coming out? Weigh-in!
No surprise. Have wondered for a long time why she never did. It does not make her any less a human nor does it make me less in awe of her for what she has been through and how she handled the past 18 mo of her life. If we could all take a page from her journey.
it great
I am happy for Robin. It is not surprising that she hesitated to do so. Many people will understand why she waited.
Good on her. It’s much nicer to be out when its safe and comfortable with who you (and your partner) are to each other as a family unit, particularly if part of your life is very much in the public eye. IAthough I’ve been out for nearly 20yrs it does give courage to some who haven’t or can’t be at the moment. All the best to them.
I wish Roberts good health and a good year, but I wish people’s sexual orientations would stop being news. I really don’t care who’s sleeping with whom. And while we’re at it, stop giving attention to people like Phil Robertson. Last I checked, he doesn’t speak for God.
Don’t really care. A long as she’s healthy, that’s all that matters. She’s a lovely lady – even if she does work for ABC/Disney!
YOU GO ROBIN!!!!! With all that you have been thru you should be happy along with healthy. I wish you only the best for 2014 and many more years to come.
I always felt that Robin Roberts had a mad crush on Oprah ….
I always felt Oprah has her own GAILfriend…im just joking around here!!!
She came out when she was ready. Afterall she’s been through, this isn’t a big thing to me.
I’ve always admired her nothing has changed. Well maybe it has after the Duck thing if anything I give her kudos for stepping up to the plate after the horrible things he said about people he don’t know.
I think it’s awesome!!! Happy New Year Robin and Amber!!!!!
I love Robin spirit!!
Good for her!!!
God bless her…
Robin, you are so talented. Your sexual preferences have nothing to do with how well you carry yourself. No, I am not gay but so what that you are. You do what makes you happy. Let them talk. There going to talk anyway. Be happy and live every day to the fullest.
No offense to Michael Fairman, but I long for the day when news like this isn’t even published. I’m not sure why peoples sexuality is newsworthy, and hopefully one day it won’t be and won’t even be printed.
Good point
She’s a lovely lady and am thankful she is happy and healthy and a wonderful example for many.
I am so happy for her!!! Mental health experts I read articles from, always say it’s a mental, physical and emotional burden when we keep a vital part of ourselves hidden and when we finally bring that part out to the light it’s like a rebirth of who we truly are.
Classy lady.
Who cares? And I mean that in a good way. She’s got positive energy, is a great newscaster, and is kind every day. We need more people like her in this world.
I never even thought about it ~ I just know she is excellent at her job and I watch her every morning while getting ready for work, even though other than that I do NOT watch the ABC-TV Network – I’m usually at work anyway.
Someday, “news” like this won’t even cause anyone to blink an eye.
I love robin, she is a terrific classy sassy lady. We all knew, she was a lesbian. not a surprise at all. i came out of the closet 3 years ago, now i can live my life, with no secrets and baggage. i have a wonderful boyfriend. im 24. my boyfriend is 35 and he is one hot man. lol. julian jerome is my male crush fantasy. lol. william is one hot masculine man. I JUST LOVE HIM. HE IS A WONDERFUL ACTOR. MY BOYFRIEND IS MASCULINE TOO. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.
Uhh, thanks for sharing…??
Im so proud of robin, she is a nice down to earth lady. Now oprah winfrey needs to come out of the closet. i knew robin was gay, My gay dar was right. LOL.
It’s not a lifestyle I agree with, does that make me a hater, no, it’s my religious beliefs. I do not hate the person, but, I don’t agree with the lifestyle. Nor do I view Ms. Robertson in a lesser light because of my beliefs. Ms. Robertson, from all accounts, is indeed a brave and courageous person and excellent journalist….I do wish her the best and good health.
I’m happy Robin is healthy. While her sexual orientation was not “public news” many have been aware of it for years. I’m glad she has come out because it’s important for LGBT people, people of color and people in general to have role models. At the same time, I don’t think anyone has to label themselves unless that is something they want to do. Straight people don’t have to declare their sexual orientation & I believe LGBTs shouldn’t have to either.
I send best wishes for continued good health and thanks to Robin for sharing yet another part of her life with us woth much love and gratitude.
It is great that Robin can be open and honest about who she loves and who she is. Amen to a Robin. Wish her all the best. Hopefully, this will help young people in the LGBT community who are struggling or being bullied feel stronger.
I don’t get it. After Amber sticking with her through everything, why did she wait until now to acknowledge her? They followed her around with cameras through it all so why didn’t they show Amber then? Why now? Amber deserved better.
News
Y&R’s Colleen Zenk on the Flipside of Aunt Jordan Tormenting Nikki: “My Relationship with Melody Thomas Scott Has Just been Incredible Since I Got Here”

Viewers of The Young and the Restless were left in disbelief with the arrival of Aunt Jordan, who schemed to have recovering alcoholic, Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) kidnapped with an IV drip of booze flowing through her veins (and that’s just for starters).
When As the World Turns favorite Colleen Zenk was cast on Y&R, to portray the revenge-filled Aunt Jordan, the top-rated soap got a bit of a spring back into its step. Zenk spoke this week with CBS San Francisco affiliate KPIX on her return to daytime and how she is getting along with the cast and crew at the CBS daytime drama.
In speaking with KPIX anchor, Gianna Franco, Colleen expressed: “Tthe fact that they welcomed me with such open arms and love, it really freed me up, because of how they received me and made me feel incredibly welcome, and not just the cast. I mean, the entire production, the crew, the staff, the directors, the writers … everybody from the top down.”

Photo: JPI
Hard to believe, but as Colleen shared, throughout her years in daytime she had never spoken with Y&R’s iconic star, Melody Thomas Scott, who she now has a budding on-screen rivalry with. Things have certainly changed.
Colleen added, “My relationship with Melody Thomas Scott has just been incredible since I got here. She and I had never had a conversation before until the day I walked on the set. It’s just been fabulous. I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying that.”

Photo: CBS
And walk in she did! Zenk shared that her casting had been kept top-secret at the show. No one really knew she was on the call sheet or the cast list at the time. To keep it mum, Colleen revealed, “My name was not anywhere. They did not have “Colleen Zenk” in print. So, when I finally did show up on November 17th (on-air) it was shock.”
Check out the segment where Colleen speaks on her Y&R adventure thus far below.
Are you looking forward to seeing … Nikki get her revenge on Aunt Jordan for all she put her through? More scenes between Colleen and Melody? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Guiding Light
Matt Bomer Reveals More On Why He Turned Down ‘Barbie’ Role as a Ken

Guiding Light alum Matt Bomer (ex-Ben Reade) is currently receiving rave reviews for his performance in Showtime’s Fellow Travelers and the motion picture Maestro.
However, on the December 6th episode of The Tonight Show, Bomer revealed more intel on why he decided to pass on an opportunity to appear in the summer blockbuster Barbie. Matt was in heavy consideration to play a Ken in Greta Gerwig’s smash hit starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie.
The in-demand star told Jimmy Fallon,”I had some projects in development, and I wasn’t sure if they were gonna happen or when they were gonna happen. So, I auditioned. I mean, I dressed up like Malibu Ken. I dressed up like Business Suit Ken. I had like four different looks going on. I have pictures of this.” Bomer shared that, “he really got into it.”

Photo: Warner Bros/Mattel
In the end, the timing just wasn’t right for Bomer who shares three sons with his husband, Simon Halls. Matt expressed, “I was talking with Greta, I was looking forward to doing it and then the things in development came to fruition, and I would have been away from my family for a year, which was just too much time away.”
As for how the cast shook out for Barbie, Bomer gave a thumbs up, “I think they made a perfect movie, and it was cast perfectly.”

Photo: AP
Bomer does not regret his decision because in the end he “got to do Fellow Travelers and Maestro and spend time with my family.” In Fellow Travelers, Matt stars in what he deemed on The Tonight Show as ‘the gay The Way We Were.” Bomer plays opposite Jonathan Bailey in the series. In Maestro, Bomer plays clarinettist David Oppenheim, who was one of Leonard Bernstein’s lovers.

Photo: CBS
On Guiding Light, daytime soap fans remember that Bomer played Ben Reade for two years from 2001-2003. The character was revealed to be a male prostitute and a serial killer before his death. Matt had told the producers before he exited, “Just throw the kitchen sink at me, and they did.”
Watch Matt’s segment on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon below. Now let us know, do you wish he would have played a Ken in the Barbie movie? Have you caught his performances in ‘Fellow Travelers’ and soon Maestro? What do you recall about his work as GL’s troubled Ben Reade? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Breaking News
Ellen Holly, Groundbreaking Actress of ‘One Life to Live’, Passes Away at 92

Ellen Holly, who portrayed Carla Gray on ABC’s One Life to Live, had died at the age of 92. Her death was confirmed by her cousin Grant Shipp via his Facebook page. The groundbreaking actress passed away on December 5th.
Holly appeared on One Life from October 1968 through December 1980, and from May 1983 through December 1985. In his post, Shipp related of Holly, “She was a pioneer in daytime television. Starring on One Life to live for 20 years. Playing Lawrence Fishburns mother on the show. She appeared in several movies, and performed on stage with the greatest black actors of her generation. Sidney Poitier, Harry Beafonte, Cicely Tyson, Robert Hooks, James Earl Jones to name a few. You had One Life to Live and it was amazing Life. You were simply one of the best. Now you know the secret. God rest your soul.”
Following several theatre roles, Holly came to One Life to Live and took on the role of Carla Benari. Secretly, she was born Clara Gray, and eventually went by the name of Carla Gray. Agnes Nixon, iconic creator of the soap opera, wanted to tell an important social issue of the times, when in story, Carla was passing herself as white, in order to get a job. This was also an issue Holly faced in real-life and shared publicly in an essay she wrote for the New York Times, “How Black Do You Have To Be?”

Photo: ABC
In story for the first five months, the audience thought Carla was white. However, in a landmark moment, Carla came face-to-face with her mother, Sadie (Lillian Hayman) who was a housekeeper. Her mother felt she betrayed her race. Carla was embroiled in an interracial relationship with a white doctor, Jim Craig (Nat Polen), who was her boss at the hospital. Caral also was involved with another resident Prince who was Black. After breaking it off with Jim, Carla came clean about her race.
Eventually, Holly would star opposite Daytime Emmy-winner, Al Freeman Jr., and the love story of Carla and Ed Hall, became a fan favorite in the soaps earlier years. The couple adopted a teenaged son, Joshua played by now motion picture star, Laurence Fishburne. When Ed and Carla’s relationship fell apart, she eventually remarried Dr. Jack Scott played by Arthur Burghardt.

Photo: ABC
Holly said in a 1979 interview with Ebony magazine, “There are enormous stretches in this country where they don’t know anything about Black people…Our viewers tend to regard us as neighbors. People at the supermarket, total strangers, will throw their arms around you and treat you as a neighbor…My mother on the show has been a domestic and is now head of the housekeeping staff at the hospital; my ex-husband on the show is a policeman, and Arthur [Burghardt] plays a brilliant heart surgeon…I think we’ve opened up our viewers’ heads a little bit more to the variety that exists in the Black race. And the more that happens, the slower somebody will be — when they’re confronted with any given Black person — to jump to conclusions about who and what that person is.”
After Holly departed the show in 1980, she later returned to Llanview in 1983, at that time, Carla was now an assistant district attorney. She also was reunited with Ed Hall. Ellen last played the role in 1985.
Share your remembrances for One Life to Live’s Ellen Holly via the comment section and make sure to check out Holly speaking on the importance of her early storyline with the Television Academy below.
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