John Mayer is fed up with questions about the nature of his relationship with longtime pal Andy Cohen.
Earlier this week, the Hollywood Reporter asked the Bravo exec about the “intense speculation” surrounding his friendship with the Grammy winner — and the latter was not pleased.
Mayer began in a letter to journalist Maer Roshan, which the Hollywood Reporter published Thursday, “I read your interview with Andy Cohen, and was intrigued by your line of questioning regarding our friendship.”
Mayer, 46, then called out how the award-winning editor, 56, presented the topic by telling Cohen, 55, “Your friendship with Mayer has been the subject of intense speculation.
“People seem dubious that a straight rock star can have a close, platonic relationship with a gay TV personality.”
The “Gravity” singer hit back, “I think this is somewhat of a specious premise.”
“First, there is a long and storied history of ‘rock stars’ (not mocking, just won’t refer to myself as one) befriending gay icons and artists,” he explained.
“Second, I think that to suggest that people are dubious of a friendship like mine and Andy’s is to undermine the public’s ability to accept and understand diversity in all facets of culture, be it in art or in real life.”
Mayer pointed out that he believes the audience is “sophisticated enough” to understand his relationship with Cohen “without assuming it must include a sexual component.”
“That turns the concept of being gay into an ignorantly two-dimensional one, which I know you know it’s not,” the “Your Body Is a Wonderland” singer added. “I don’t question that at all.”
Mayer noted that he loves “intelligent discourse” but then jabbed at Roshan, “I bristle at your selectively flimsy logic meant to coax an answer, when the premise itself is so deeply flawed, and quite possibly not even quantitatively true.”
The “Free Fallin'” crooner concluded his pointed letter by saying that he doesn’t think “that shallow a view deserves clarification by anyone with self respect, be it Andy or your publication.”
He added, “Reinforcing the idea that any gay/straight relationship needs qualification that it’s not sexual devoids everyone involved of their dignity,” and signed off, “Respectfully, John Mayer.”
Roshan tells exclusively, however, that while he appreciates Mayer’s “thoughtful comments” about his interview, he “stand[s] by [his] question.”
“The media has spent years scrutinizing and coyly speculating about Andy’s relationship with John Mayer,” the renowned reporter explains.
“I wanted to know why Andy thought that even now, in 2024, there was so much skepticism about the idea that a gay guy and a straight guy can have a close platonic friendship. The fact that this tiny snippet in my 5,000-word interview generated such massive media attention kind of proves my point.”
Roshan points out that as the co-editor-in-chief of the Hollywood Reporter, it was his decision to run Mayer’s letter because he’s “a big boy who can withstand a little criticism.”
He adds, “I thought John raised some interesting points about this issue that deserved a hearing. I’m pretty sure my boyfriends can vouch that I’m far from a homophobe, just a journalist doing his job.
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Roshan concludes, “John Mayer and I actually had a nice email exchange after I received his letter, and I’m looking forward to seeing him perform at the sphere next month.”
Roshan’s line of questioning did not come completely out of left field. Mayer and Cohen’s close bond has sparked public interest ever since the latter said the two were in love with each other.
“I am in love with John Mayer. We are in love with each other,” the “Most Talkative” author told Howard Stern in June 2023.
The renowned radio host asked even in that moment, “Swear on your children’s lives that there has never been anything sexual between you and John Mayer,” prompting Cohen to reply, “Yes. I do. I swear.”
The “Daddy Diaries” author then further clarified to Roshan via the Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, “I honestly love John Mayer, and he loves me.
“But because we are so affectionate to each other, people don’t know what box to put that in. They assume we are sleeping with each other, which we are most definitely not.”
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