14 DAY TRIAL // Singer Barry Manilow is officially off the market ladies (and gentlemen)! The 71-year-old iconic performer has tied the knot with his business manager and rumored longtime partner, 66-year-old Garry Kief, in a super-secret ceremony that took place at his estate in Palm Springs.
News of this broke in The National Enquirer, but if you’re inclined to brush it off as just another unfounded rumor, don’t. It has since been confirmed by both People Magazine and E! Online.
A secret, intimate ceremony that’s not legal yet
According to reports online, not even the 50 guests, all of whom were very close friends of the couple, knew they were about to witness a wedding ceremony, as they had been invited over to have “lunch.”
Insiders tell the Enquirer that Manilow, who never came out publicly as gay, took this measure of precaution because he was “paranoid” at the thought that the fans might find out he was gay. In reality, many of them have suspected this for years, and are ok with the idea.
Actress Suzanne Somers served as the best man, while Barry’s assistant Marc Hulett officiated the ceremony. However, as romantic as this sounds, the ceremony was not legally-binding: because he’s this paranoid about people finding out, Barry and Garry didn’t sign any papers.
In other words, until they do, this was more of a commitment ceremony than an actual wedding.
Still, sources say for People, “[they] are committed to one another and have been for a very long time. They have a great relationship. Garry has always been there for Barry.”
The two are wearing wedding bands as a sign of their new commitment towards each other.
A very surprising turn of events
Undoubtedly, many of Barry’s close friends have known of his orientation for a very long time before he surprised them with this wedding ceremony. The fans, not so much.
He never came out publicly as gay, partly because he believed that this would damage his career. Insiders claim that he’s been less strict about hiding it in recent years, as it became clear to him that he had reached a stage in life and his career where he no longer felt like they would have to suffer significantly if his secret got out.
Nonetheless, hearing that he married his manager, albeit not legally yet, comes as a huge surprise.
For the time being, neither Barry nor Garry would confirm this when reached for comment. The crooner is now on tour, which runs until June, on the very day he turns 72.