Kenny Chesney Denies Gay Rumors

By: Shannon Gossage

The gay rumors started when Chesney and Zellweger, his wife of four-months, split two-years ago and she cited "fraud" in her annulment filing. Chesney is now speaking out for the first time about the rumors and why "fraud" was given for the split. The country crooner did an interview with Anderson Cooper for "60 Minutes" set to air on Sunday. Chesney said of the rumors, "It’s not true. Period. Maybe I should have come out and said, "No, I’m not (gay),’ but I didn’t want to draw any more attention to it. I didn’t have to prove to anybody that I wasn’t (gay). I didn’t really feel like I did."

Chesney claims that he and Zellweger believed "fraud" to be the "least harmful" option since other grounds for annulment are bigamy, insanity, and force. Zellweger released a statement shortly after filing for the annulment in September 2005 explaining that "fraud" was "simply legal language and not a reflection of Kenny’s character." Chesney reportedly says in the interview that he just wasn’t ready to be a husband. Chesney said, "The only fraud that was committed was me thinking that I knew what it was like…that I really understood what it was like to be married, and I really didn’t."

Chesney and Zellweger were married in May 2005 on the island of St. John a mere four months after meeting. Despite the marriage souring Chesney now says he has no regrets about their relationship. Chesney said, "I still don’t have any regrets. I loved her, you know? And it was real." Apparently love is not enough in all cases. Chesney is getting ready to kick off his latest tour in Omaha on April 12.