It hasn’t been many, due to the fact that in previous seasons the producers have made certain contestants sign a gag order regarding their sexuality.
Throughout its fifteen season run, a number of LGBT people have made their way up the Idol ladder. Sure, gay icons like Elton John, disco giants and the wonderful world of Disney have all been honored, and Adam Lambert (who was the runner-up in season eight) almost won the title, but the reality TV show - a juggernaut in the rating for its first decade - always seemed to reel us into its magic, whether as viewers or as vying contestants. But before America moves on to the next big thing, it’s important to stress that ever since the show aired, even with the slightly-curious metrosexual-vibing Ryan Seacrest (“Seacrest, out,” he replied at the closing of most episodes) and his Wham!-looking season one cohort Brian Dunkleman or even the whimsical and overly-sarcastic Brit judge Simon Cowell, there’s always been something iffy in the air about how gay-centric things were. The FOX hit television show will take one last bow this week when it rolls off the air for the last time. Although they didn’t win a season, a dozen of LGBT people discovered a new way of winning…by using the reality TV/talent show as a springboard to further their careers
