Clive Davis Comes Out as Bisexual in Tell-All Book

Music mogul, who's shepherded the careers of everyone from Whitney Houston to Kelly Clarkson, recounts his first encounter with a man and his subsequent long-term relationship with a male doctor

By Alexis L. Loinaz Feb 20, 2013 12:00 PMTags
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Clive Davis is opening up about more than just his thoughts on Kelly Clarkson.

The venerable music mogul, who recently fired up a heated feud with his erstwhile protégé after blasting her songwriting chops, has come out as bisexual.

The 80-year-old made the revelation in his new memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life, in which he recounts his first sexual encounter with a man and his subsequent monogamous long-term relationship with an unnamed male doctor.

The twice-divorced music exec, who opens up candidly about his "bisexual life," recalls that he first hooked up with another man during "the era of Studio 54." 

"On this night, after imbibing enough alcohol, I was open to responding to his sexual overtures," he writes, per an excerpt in Rolling Stone. "Was I nervous? Absolutely. Did the heavens open up? No. But it was satisfying."

He also reveals that he eventually entered into a 15-year "monogamous relationship " with an unnamed male doctor, which came to a close in 2004.

Davis—who famously shepherded the career of Whitney Houston and was often considered both her mentor and second father—also made headlines after he slammed Clarkson in his memoir, reportedly calling her a  "sh--ty" writer and questioning her career decisions and songwriting skills.

The Grammy-winning singer, however, is ready to fight back: In a fiery WhoSay post, Clarkson takes Davis to task for what she says are his blatant lies.

"I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans," she writes. "It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don't have to cower to anyone—even Clive Davis."

Touché!