News
Katie Couric Asks Manti Te'o If He's Gay & Why He Lied To His Father! – Watch The Segment!
Courtesy/ABC
Score one for Katie Couric! On today’s episode of her syndicated talker, Katie, Couric nabbed an exclusive interview with Notre Dame Football star and Heisman Trophy candidate, Manti Te’o.
Te’o has been in the news of late and all the rage with the confusing and mysterious “catfish” scheme where Te’o was reportedly duped into an online relationship with a fake girlfriend who he originally believed had died! However in the interview with Couric, Manti revealed he maintained the illusion of his dead girlfriend in the weeks after he received a call claiming that Lennay Kekua and her death were hoaxes claiming: “Katie, put yourself in my situation. I, my whole world told me that she died on September 12. Everybody knew that. This girl, who I committed myself to, died on September 12th.”
Te’o has said he believed Kekua, whom he thought was his girlfriend despite never meeting her face to face, had died of leukemia on September 12 after a car accident left her hospitalized. “Now I get a phone call on December 6, saying that she’s alive and then I’m going be put on national TV two days later. And to ask me about the same question. You know, what would you do?” Te’o said.
In addition, Couric pointedly asks the question that has come up across the country that was this all a cover-up because Manti is actually gay? Te’o answered a resounding, “No, far from it.” Later, Te’o revealed he did lie to his father and when Couric asked why, Te’0 responded it was his way of getting approval from his dad of this young lady, and he thought if he told his dad he never met her, his father would say it is a red flag. He then stated, “It was a red flag. I obviously should’ve seen.”
After the jump, watch the clip of Katie asking Manti if he is gay, and why did he lie to his father. Then tell us what do you think of this bizarre scheme? Do you now believe 100% that Manti was duped?
Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.
However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).
From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).
In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.
So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?
Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
-
As The World Turns2 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
-
Breaking News4 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
-
General Hospital4 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
-
Beyond the Gates2 days ago‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-
General Hospital2 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson Ties the Knot with Alicia Ruelas
-
General Hospital6 days agoKelly Kruger Set to Debut on ‘General Hospital’: Why Serena Baldwin Comes Back to Port Charles Revealed
-
General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Lisa LoCicero Pays Tribute to Her ‘Loving’ Leading Man Randolph Mantooth
I simply do not understand why this is news worthy, and why it is gettng the attention that it is. Okay so Katie is interviewing him today. I still won’t watch. But my big question is to you Michael why are you waisting time on this crap?
I have to agree. I know its included here because Katie is a part of daytime, but in this day and age for her to be asking if he’ s gay is dumb. And putting it as the headline for this story here, well I have to say I don’t see the point.
“….why are you wasting time on this crap?”
Your soap box is loaded with excrement.
You are right on Angela. I had hoped when I saw this that NO ONE would comment, but people are. So here are my two cents:
I remember when KATIE was making the rounds and trying to drum up interest. So I went back to see what the whole premise for her show was SUPPOSED to be about. Well I found that it was “news and topics that people care about.”
THIS subject is something that we should care about? They should dry that one out and fertilize the lawn with it.
I am jubilant that people are expressing their two cents.
sexual orientation vs. like minds…. etc….
I care about THIS persons feelings.
Well here is my two cents he got his behind handed to him for the Heisman Trophy this year by a freshman Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M.
Thank-you Angela!!!
Food for Thought….
I hope Rhode Island is the next… 10th state to marry ALL People….
—————————-
As In President Obamas’ Impassioned Presidential Election Address:
“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law,” he said. “For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”
———————————–
The Military that we hold close to our hearts… ALLOWS all Men and Women regardless of sexual orientation to serve Proudly.
—————————
The Sports World…. (if in fact Manti Te’o is Gay) So be it. I don’t know that Katie had that right to ask him that, on nat’l television…. I haven’t been keeping up on this persons life.
Her asking him that on TV… could be more detrimental than the story itself… if he wasn’t ready to acknowledge his feelings… his being… This is the kinds of behaviour that can cause one to retreat in to themselves… SPORTS FIGURES NEED TO MAN UP AND SHELVE INSECURITY.
Sports figures, Public figures, Elected officials…. all have the right to be who they are. with pride and without prejudice.
I agree asking if he was gay is none of her business- does she ask her guests if they are straight- I don’t think so. As to covering this topic here- well if his story was a soap opera story line we would be rolling our eyes about how lame it is. Honestly, who calls a person they never met their girlfriend? And if he thought she was why didn’t he want to go her funeral when he thought she was dead? This story is so fill with gaps and makes no sense- are we sure MAB wasn’t his script writer? Perhaps Days could hire whoever came up with this story- they would fit right in there.
A persons’ Life isn’t hanging in the balance, here?…. if one person is affected/effected by, what people say think and do. That happens way too often.
Support for ALL people is the ultimate road taken…
—————————
I refuse to make light and be nonsensical about issues that are a part of all of us.
Okay Patrick you want to be serious- I can be serious. Firstly I wasn’t making light of this man’s story I was answering the question asked, which was whether I believe he was duped. I do not- the story sounds too fake to me, so I used the whole soap opera metaphor to illustrate how fake his story sounded- I was being sarcastic.
This is a website for soap operas, therefore if you wish to engage in thoughtful and lively discussions about politics, religion or civil rights, I suggest you find sites that engage in those discussions, so you won’t be so frustrated by what you read. But since life is life and often these topics do come up in posts here all I can say is if you wish people to respect your opinions it is best to respect them for theirs.
Respect doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, or you cannot challenge their beliefs, but it means doing it with language that respect the person as a human being, words that do not attack their character, merely their ideas.
Over the months I’ve been on this site have come to look forward to reading posts from certain individuals because I come to respect the way they handle themselves in these posts. You were one of those individuals, but I find the way you have conducted yourself today in these posts to be beneath you. Was telling Angela that her opinion is full of sh**t really leaving her open to hear your views on the topic?
If this man was lying in order to cover up the fact he was gay, then yes that would be a shame, and the fact that many gay people around the world live in fear and feel it necessary to lie about who they are is a situation that has gone on far too long. By your post I get the impression it is that injustice, living in a free America, yet not having all the freedom equally given to all, makes you angry and makes you have compassion for those who feel they need to lie about who they are. And you should feel angry about, because it is an injustice.
I didn’t think this was the case with this man, I thought it was more a case of something being a news hog, wanting the media attention anyway he can get. I thought his story was more about promoting himself rather than him being a victim. And in that case then no I have little sympathy for a situation he created and exploited for his own promotion. If he was lying to cover up being gay, then I apologize to you if I sounded like I didn’t care because if I thought that was the case I wouldn’t been that sarcastic about it.
I truly hope everyone out there living with a lie for whatever reason will find the peace of one day living a life filled with truth. Respectfully yours- Mary.
“…Frustation”, and “…anger”; are not what i’m advocating….
I want; that the LGBT Community has a voice…. in sharing with you and I myself, am learning, along the way… that give and take… right and wrong… civil liberties and respect… be gleaned and minded…. by All persons choosing to read all perspectives.
——————————-
if convesations are dissected and taken out of context… then, i choose to see this as a cumulative of… and letting all the facts and opinions, be given equal time.
I will say…. when i first read the headline…. I. like Christine… was… here we go again….
and when i read the first post… ie: Angela….. “…why are you wasting time on this “crap”. operative word…. “wasting time on crap”… well, that gets tiring… and yeah… can fire up the best of them….
ire, frustation, anger, jubilant, misled, tested, it’s my way or the highway….
it’s all a mixed bag…. if i’m steadfast in my beliefs… and have convictions… that are strongly opposed and differing… I will rise to the occasion and man up… I am not on here steering any “one” wrongly… that’s up to you and your spirt.
This post is not directed at any one person…. I like to think my posts are not directed soley at any one – but to educate. (myself, as well), and put out their that there are people who believe otherwise and it’s with an educated mindset that I hopefully share.
————————
not since chic fil’a…. has their been any “angst” or intrepidation….
that being said… I applaud all person who post…..
These are the best of times, currently… with the soap world… and I love this stuff.
——————————
have i said things that give pause for reflection…. Yes.
Patrick- Sometimes we all forget the power words can have- words can bring healing or understanding, but they also can cause division and pain. I hope you did not think I was berating you, I was not. I was merely challenging you to the bigger person, to use your words wisely, so those you wish to hear you, will listen.
When we use our words to put down others, even though they were guilty of doing the same, they will no longer hear us, and I believe your opinions deserve to be heard. I still don’t believe this particular website is the best place to give voice to your concerns, but you have every right to voice them here or anywhere else. And I hope I didn’t give you the impression I was trying to tell you not to express those thoughts.
Your posts helped me to see there may be more to this story than meets the eye. And perhaps because of the overexposure of this story in the media I became a bit cynical to the plight of this person. So I agree we all can learn from each other, which makes being human so extraordinary and this forum remarkable.
I stopped believing he was duped last week, because at certain times throughout the interview, he was laughing about all of this…Check his expressions closely. I think he wants the attention to set off his NFL career, and got two friends to help him do it. We’re the ones being duped at this point imo.