M.K. Nobilette Becomes First Out Gay €˜'American Idol'€™ Contestant

M.K. Nobilette entered the decision room on American Idol on Wednesday night to learn if she’d be heading to the semifinals – and to confirm the fact that she happens to be gay.

Nobilette, 20, faced the judges’ speculation that she was a “different” American Idol contestant head on. “I’m very obviously gay, and there are always gonna be people in America and everywhere else who will definitely hate,” Nobilette said to Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. “But I think that in the last two years there have been a lot of things that have really changed that, and have made it a positive thing.”

“Thank goodness,” Connick replied. Lopez added, “We think that you could be an American Idol. “Strongly," Connick added. “You have a great voice, MK."

Accepting their offer to join the top 15 girls, Nobilette said through tears, “Thank you guys so much. Can I hug you?” She added, in disbelief, “This is incredible.”

Nobilette sang Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team” for her final solo in Hollywood before the Top 30 decisions. Her understated take on the song gave Lopez goose bumps and caused her to describe her voice as a “quiet storm.”

– Chelsea Regan

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