Honestly, if you’ve spent any time following Hollywood gossip over the last forty years, you’ve heard the whispers. It’s one of those perennial "open secrets" that isn't actually a secret because nobody has ever proven it. The question of is John Travolta bi sexual has fueled countless tabloid covers, late-night forum deep dives, and even a few messy court cases.
But here’s the thing: John Travolta has never said he is.
In a world where we crave clear-cut coming-out stories, Travolta remains a bit of an enigma. He spent nearly three decades married to the late Kelly Preston, a relationship that by all public accounts was deeply loving and resilient. Yet, the rumors don't just go away. They persist because of a strange cocktail of pilot testimonies, anonymous lawsuits, and the heavy shadow of the Church of Scientology.
Where the Rumors Actually Started
It wasn't always like this. In the Grease and Saturday Night Fever days, Travolta was the ultimate heartthrob for women everywhere. The shift started in the late 80s and early 90s.
Basically, the first real "crack" in the image came from a man named Douglas Gotterba. He was a pilot who worked for Travolta’s aircraft company, Alto, for about six years. Decades later, Gotterba went to the press claiming he and the actor had a long-term romantic affair during the 1980s.
Travolta didn't take it lying down.
His legal team fought back hard, arguing that Gotterba was bound by a strict confidentiality agreement. Travolta himself eventually told The Daily Beast that these kinds of allegations are "every celebrity’s Achilles heel." He chalked it up to people just wanting money. You've got to wonder, though—why does this specific rumor stick to him more than, say, Tom Hanks or Denzel Washington?
The 2012 Legal Firestorm
If the pilot story was a spark, 2012 was a full-blown forest fire. Two different male massage therapists filed lawsuits against the actor, alleging sexual battery. They claimed some pretty graphic stuff happened during private sessions in Beverly Hills and Atlanta.
It looked bad. For a minute, it seemed like the "is John Travolta bi sexual" question was about to be answered in a courtroom.
Then, the cases started to wobble.
- The Alibi: Travolta’s lawyer, the powerhouse Marty Singer, produced evidence—including a restaurant receipt and flight records—showing Travolta was in New York on the day one of the accusers claimed he was being harassed in Los Angeles.
- The Withdrawal: Shortly after the alibi came out, the first accuser dropped his suit.
- The Quiet Ending: Eventually, both lawsuits were dismissed or withdrawn.
Critics say these were "hush money" settlements. The legal team says they were frivolous shakedowns. Without a public trial, we’re left in this gray area where everyone just believes what they want to believe.
The Scientology Factor
You can't talk about Travolta’s private life without mentioning Scientology. It’s the elephant in the room. Former high-ranking members, like Mike Rinder, have openly speculated that the Church's strict stance on sexuality keeps stars like Travolta in the closet.
In Scientology’s early days, L. Ron Hubbard wrote some pretty harsh things about homosexuality, essentially classifying it as a "perversion" or a "malady."
Rinder has suggested in interviews that it would be a "catastrophe" for a major Scientologist to come out. The theory is that the Church provides a "buffer" or a "Mafia-like" protection (as some ex-members call it) to keep these secrets buried. But again, that's speculation from people who are now professionally at odds with the organization. It's a "he said, she said" on a global, religious scale.
The "American Gigolo" Mystery
There's a fascinating bit of Hollywood trivia that often gets brought up in this debate. Back in the late 70s, Travolta was the first choice to play Julian Kaye in American Gigolo. He famously dropped out at the last second, and Richard Gere took the role, becoming a superstar.
Why did he quit?
At the time, the official reason was the death of his mother. But years later, the film’s director, Paul Schrader, and executive Barry Diller hinted at something else. They suggested Travolta was terrified of the "gay subtext" of the character. In 2024, Schrader even told The Hollywood Reporter that the actor had "growing anxiety" about the role's queer vibes.
Whether that means he was protecting a secret or just a young actor worried about his brand in a less-tolerant era, we don't know.
Marriage, Grief, and Reality
Through all of this, there was Kelly Preston. They married in 1991 (twice, actually, because the first Scientology ceremony wasn't legally recognized in France). They went through the unthinkable: the death of their 16-year-old son, Jett, in 2009.
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When Kelly passed away from breast cancer in 2020, Travolta’s tribute to her was gut-wrenching. He has consistently presented as a man devoted to his wife and his children.
Does a long, happy marriage prove someone isn't bisexual? No. Plenty of people are bi and happily married to the opposite sex. Does a lawsuit prove someone is? Not necessarily.
What We Actually Know
If we strip away the "blind items" from gossip sites and the bitter claims of ex-employees, what are the hard facts?
- Travolta denies it: Every single time he has been asked or sued, he has denied being gay or bisexual.
- The evidence is anecdotal: There are no photos, no confirmed "second lives," and no credible partners who have come forward without a financial motive or a legal battle.
- He values privacy: He has explicitly stated that he stopped caring about the media "stuff" a long time ago because he can't control it.
The Actionable Takeaway: How to Navigate Celebrity Rumors
When you're trying to figure out the truth behind a headline like is John Travolta bi sexual, it's easy to get lost in the noise. Here is how to look at these situations like a pro:
1. Follow the Money
Always look at who is talking. Is it a former employee with a book deal? An anonymous plaintiff seeking $2 million? In Hollywood, a lawsuit isn't a conviction; it's often a negotiation tactic.
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2. Understand the "Closet Culture" History
Remember that Travolta came up in an era where being anything other than straight was a career killer. Even if the rumors were true, the psychological impact of 1970s Hollywood culture is a massive factor in why a star might never "come out."
3. Separate Sexuality from Misconduct
This is a big one. Being bisexual and being a harasser are two totally different things. The 2012 lawsuits alleged misconduct, not just a preference. It’s important to keep those categories separate when evaluating a person's character.
4. Respect the Silence
Ultimately, a celebrity’s sexuality belongs to them. Unless they choose to share it, we are just spectators watching a performance. Travolta has chosen to live his life as a father and a widower, keeping his private business behind the gates of his Florida estate.
The most "expert" take you can have is realizing that in the absence of a "yes" from the man himself, the answer is simply that we don't know—and we might never know. And honestly? That’s okay.
To stay informed on how celebrity legal battles and public images are managed, you should look into the history of "litigation PR" in Hollywood. Understanding how lawyers like Marty Singer handle these crises gives you a much clearer picture of why these rumors stay in the "rumor" category for decades without ever becoming "fact."