Earlier this week supermodel-turned-reality star Janice Dickinson did what Janice Dickinson does best when she courted new controversy by claiming that “American Idol” and “X Factor” judge Simon Cowell is secretly gay and hiding in the closet.

This isn’t the first time that Cowell has faced rumors about his sexuality and it probably won’t be the last Our culture is fascinated by what stars do off camera — and behind bedroom doors — and are especially fascinated when it comes to the possibility of a celebrity being gay.

For famous folks, having tabloids discuss their sexuality simply comes with the territory and it’s been said that you haven’t really made it in Hollywood until someone has questioned your (hetero)sexuality. Thankfully, as more and more stars have come out of the closet over the last 30 years, being called gay is no longer considered the offense that it once was. In fact many celebs, like “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe, have shrugged off the rumors and gone out of their way to embrace and support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Below check out 34 stars who have faced gay rumors and learn more about how they responded to the claims.

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