Johnny Gill has finally addressed persistent rumors that he is gay and was the driving force behind Eddie Murphy breaking off his engagement to Tracey Edmonds.
The singer, who also says he was not the best man at Murphy’s “spiritual wedding” as had been reported (it was Eddie’s brother Charlie Murphy), was interviewed Friday on Doug Banks’ syndicated radio show “The Ride With Doug & DeDe.”
Gill denied both rumors and faulted the media for failing to check the facts. He seemed genuinely hurt that he’s constantly being being referred to by the public as being more than just Eddie Murphy’s running pal.
Commenting on reports that Murphy’s mother Lillian had bickered constantly with Edmonds’ mother throughout the weekend, Gill said Mrs. Murphy was just expressing her belief that the actor was rushing into marriage so soon after the debacle with Scary Spice and amid ongoing issues with his first wife, Nicole.
“Eddie has a great level of respect for his mother and his family, just like anybody,” Gill told Banks. “And when Mommy finally decided to speak on it, she spoke on it after the ceremony – simply that she felt everything was moving too fast and it didn’t feel right. She’s not an actress and she was being honest with him.”
Gill also shed some light on what initially set off Lillian’s tirade.
“One of Tracey’s guests said some things that were inappropriate that triggered everything with the mom, and that’s how it all started,” he said.
Gill also attempted to explain what Murphy was thinking when he famously picked up a transvestite prostitute in West Hollywood. He said: “Somebody walks up that you assume is a fine girl that spots you and approaches you, you’re thinkin’ ‘Hey shoot, it’s my lucky night.’ He had no other choice but to bite the bullet and say ‘Hey, I was just helping her out and giving her a ride.'”
