Sugarland Superstar Jennifer Nettles Talks Lesbian Fans, Meryl Streep and Glee

A lot of popular music acts like to flirt with their gay fan base, but Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles is very playful.

In a wonderful interview with South Flordia Gay News, Nettles spoke in depth about her connections with gay audiences, a unique stance considering she’s a country music superstar. Following in the footsteps of trailblazing and outspoken LGBT allies (and country music stars) like Dolly Parton and Chely Wright, Nettles talks about coming out stories from fans, her legal trouble with a former lesbian band mate, country music stereotypes, girl crushes and the phenomenon that is Glee.

Check out some of our favorite highlights from the juicy article:

“I did Nate Berkus’ television show a number of months ago when we were about to release The Incredible Machine, and in the audience was a woman who was a huge fan. She spoke to how our music really helped to empower her when she was coming out… We’ve had coming out stories, and I feel honored to be able to help someone through that part of their life, for sure. All one really wants is to be seen as who we are, and to be able to be a part of that and be associated with someone who is coming into themselves – regardless of it being coming out, or figuring out what you want to do in your life – that’s a beautiful time and a beautiful thing.”

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[On whether out country artists risk losing some of their fan base, as Chely Wright experienced.] 

“I don’t know. People would tend to, I’m sure, stereotype quote-unquote country fans as being either more conservative or less tolerant or more close-minded. I don’t know when I look out at my audience. I am sure there are people who may be intolerant that are in the audience, but when I look out there, I see such a wide demographic that it’s hard for me to speak specifically. And I definitely can’t speak for all country artists – nor could I speak to all country fans as to whether there would be an affect. One would think stereotypically that there would be. I would like to think not. But at the end of the day, the reality is in many ways, as a culture in this country, we still have far to go as far as people understanding, being educated and being comfortable with different lifestyles, whatever that may be.

[On her lingering feelings on lesbians after weathering legal battles with ex-member Kristen Hall]

“(Laughs) Ba-dum-ch! Well, obviously, I’m not allowed to speak about the legal battles, but I love lesbians. Come on, let’s be honest. It doesn’t matter. Whatever. How hypocritical of me would that be to say I had a bad experience with this one individual or a good experience with this other individual and it totally makes me think that everyone is like that? Oh, please. It doesn’t.”

[On the ever popular ‘Celebrity Girl Crushes’]

“There are so many wonderful women out there. As far as actresses go, I love Meryl Streep… I [also] have this thing for British women. I love Judi Dench. I love Helen Mirren. I love these women, and I definitely do have big girl crushes on them. I’m trying to think as far as musicians go. I mean, what’s not to love about Beyoncé?”

“I would love to be on Glee, thus furthering the myth that I’m a gay man. (Laughs) I would love it! Anyway they could work me in – I would be the janitor sweeping the hallway of the school and cleaning out lockers, I don’t care.”

Read the rest of her fabulous chat with SouthFloridaGayNews.com here.

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