Jordan talks about his proud sexuality and his hope to help troubled teenagers
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Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling is running full speed ahead with Orlando Jordan, the real-life bisexual who now showcases his sexual orientation and eccentric persona every Monday night in front millions on Spike TV (8-10 p.m. ET).
TNA unveiled a marketing campaign recently to promote its move of “TNA iMPACT!” to Mondays at 8 p.m. with a witty, David Letterman-esq “Top 8 reasons to watch TNA iMPACT! at 8.”
The No. 1 reason – as presented by an Al Roker look-alike, named Mo Roker – is: “TNA is the professional wrestling alternative … Have ya seen Orlando Jordan?!” The online marketing video then cuts to Jordan from March 26, when he formally came out on TV as bisexual.
Jordan appeared live on “TNA iMPACT!” on April 5, setting his crosshairs on TNA Global Champion Rob Terry – but also showed that nothing conventional is ever expected from this muscled mat star. He sported a Mardi Gras face mask and sprayed white chocolate all over his chest and then, naturally for this character, used it as a dip for strawberries that he ate.
Jordan’s male and female valets did not appear with him on “TNA iMPACT” on April 5, though both were backstage. Sometimes they will, sometimes they won’t accompany him to the ring, Jordan said.
“There’s a very small percent of people who empower society on a global basis. Maybe one percent. If everyone was a pioneer, it’d make things a lot easier. But that’s not the case. And there’s a price that comes with being a pioneer, but I would not expect anything less because that’s who I am,” said Jordan, a former collegiate All-American wrestler who lives in Miami and has been wrestling professionally since 1999.
Jordan attended Hermitage High School in Richmond, Va., where he was a two-sport standout (football and wrestling). He then went wrestled at Boise State University.
“I’m proud of a lot of things in my life, including my sexuality,” said Jordan, who battled autism as a child, was an amateur boxer and was a member of the U.S. Forest Service.
“My character in TNA is pretty eccentric. But, in pro wrestling, the first priority is to be on top of the sport. Behind the smoke and mirrors of the character’s antics [and] his flamboyancy is a drive to be the best in the business. That’s my goal.”
Jordan knows the character likely will have critics – from fans and other wrestlers. But he’s not worried. “I’ll worry when they stop talking about me or the character,” he said.
Jordan is proud and optimistic that his TNA character is a positive step forward for the LGBT community and beyond.
“I really hope this character helps troubled teens, be it [those struggling] because of their race or their sexuality,” Jordan said. “If this character makes life even just a little bit easier for someone else, then I’ll be really happy.”
Jordan said he never had a formal ‘coming out.’ His close friends have always known he is bisexual, he said. And if anyone asked, he always answered honestly.
“I have always felt I am who I am, and have always stood by that. I don’t ever worry what others think about me,” he said.
Pro wrestling has a long history of stereotypical gay characters: flamboyant and over-the-top. All, though, have been portrayed by straight wrestlers.
“I’m flamboyant in my [wrestling] performance, but that’s just my swagger, just how I am. I aim to entertain; that’s who and how I am,” Jordan said.
I was so happy when I saw that TNA was going to go with this gimmick for Orlando Jordan. I know there's the haters out there for it, but I really enjoy it. It's a nice change of pace.
JustTellin'ItHowItIs
- Orlando Needs to be Slapped
|66.214.16.xxx
|2010-04-08 16:32:32
He hopes this character helps troubled teens? The only thing that this freakshow will accomplish is making them go deeper into the closet. What self respecting gay person would view this guy as a role model? Seriously, he's a joke. What's worse, he's a sell out. In his quest for the almighty dollar, he's making the gay community look bad.
I saw Orlando Jordan wrestle in the WWE. I wasn't impressed then and I'm not impressed now. He's mediocre at best. This gimmick is nothing more than a desperate attempt to save his career. Orlando should do just do everyone a favor and go away. While he's going, he should take his useless little boytoy with him.
You're the type of guy who hates knowing that someone successful is gay. Pure and simple. You'd say the EXACT same thing if Tiger Woods said her were bi or gay.... or if Ben Rothlisberger said it.... you just don't want gays around. Believe me, we know guys like you.
How did you come to that conclusion? I suggest you re-read my comment so that you'll get the gist of what I said. In case you still can't figure it out, I'll spell it out for you.
I have no problem with anyone being gay & I applaud anyone who has the courage to come out. If you're comfortable with your sexuality, good for you.
However, I do have a problem when someone like Orlando Jordan totally misrepresents the gay community. He is reinforcing all of the negative stereotypes about gays. How do you expect people not to be bigoted when they see this guy acting the way he does? Being gay doesn't mean making a public spectacle of yourself.
Orlando Jordan is disgusting. It's guys like him that make it hard for gays to be respected.
The guy is a joke period. That lotion squirt thing was not needed and wrestling is susposed to be a family show and this assclown should not be on tv durring the time when young kids are watching. He looks to be a role modle for what corp whores who will do anything for money
WWE may have taken a turn away from its adult-oriented past to become more family oriented, but TNA is not. If you read between the lines it is pretty obvious. They have more blood and violence than the WWE. Sting carries around a metal bat, Homicide attacked a guy with a switch blade, Abyss and Anderson get thrown into glass...
But ignoring the violence and getting into sex, they have Val Venus, whose character is basically a porn star, massaging lotion onto the Beautiful People. This is clearly more sexual than Orlando Jordan rubbing it on himself, but people ignore this because it is chicks.
Furthermore, the Beautiful People, every single time they enter the ring in front of the crowd, grind the ring ropes mercilessly. Family oriented eh... Not that I disapprove of course, it is most epic.
Or did you miss that 6Pac, formerly Xpac, was brought onto the show when Hulk Hogan joined (he accompanied Scott Hall) in spite of having filmed the -1 Night in China- porn in the orient with former DX member Chyna...
Children likely do watch the show, especially with guys like Jeff Hardy moving over since he was very over with them back on WWE, but it is a much more adult oriented show, comparable to how the WWE used to be.
Man, you've gotta learn more about autism. Autism is a spectral disease, meaning that you can anything from severe autism (don't even know other people are in the same room) to mild autism, where you have really bad social skills and tend to be OCD.
In either case, especially in milder cases though, there are therapies that can improve a person's engagement with the world around them. Studies show that autistic kids with LOTS of social stimulation (like growing up in a large household with many kids) makes them do better long term.
Considering how Orlando is dealing socially by getting to know lots of people, becoming a superstar and becoming a teacher at Knokx Academy, I think he is definitely battling the tendency to withdraw that characterizes autism. We have much we can learn from his success.
Don Tony And Kevin Castle Show
- Simulated Gay Bashing
|64.12.116.xxx
|2010-04-08 20:53:46
So many ppl cant wait to see him get his a** kicked. Since his bi-sexuality is the focus of his character, then many will enjoy the simulated gay bashing. Why else as a 'heel' would you want to see him get his a** kicked? Please TNA, go even further with this. So many want to fantasize how it would feel punching out a flamer that cant help but force his gayness onto those that choose a different lifestyle. Remember the storyline, and you wont be able to argue this.
people please remember that it is people that writes the story lines for him to do, so i dont think all the blame should fall on him, but i do agree that the character is totally useless and creepy. NOT ALL GAY PEOPLE R LIKE THAT!!
The character is not creepy, clearly he is embellishing to get a reaction. He is playing a heel role, it is expected. Nobody is assuming all gay people at like that. Such stereotypes are probably more associated with bisexuality than monosexuality anyway.
You are arguing a straw man to counter an assumption nobody is making save perhaps very ignorant fans who probably already have such beliefs being reinforced by an ignorant interpretation of the art.
I'm not sure how this is going to help your career Orlando. but i do respect you for admitting your sexuality. but don't forget it's a family show you need to know your boundries. If your proud for being Bi Sexual then I have no problem with it. you have my respect. But this anthony Williams a heterosexual man telling you to be carful with what your doing because their are other people who could be out to harm because of your sexuality.
Even if the effeminate charactes have been straight (perhaps they describe Goldust...) there have been gay wrestlers like first intercontinental champion Pat Patterson who defeated the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. Both are Hall of Famers in the WWE.
this whole character is just a roit to me!
I'm not sure how this is going to help your career Orlando. but i do