The LGBT community asks the question, “Cherry Jones, but no Sarah Paulson? Openly lesbian actress Cherry Jones wins the Emmy for her work in “24” which is another victory for the LGBT community on the heels of the major Ellen/American Idol announcement. Cherry Jones is one of those performers who is highly respected for her acting ability both on stage and on the screen.
LGBT viewers remember the Cherry Jones and Sarah Paulson incident at the 2005 Tony Awards. After Jones won for Best Actress, she kissed her girlfriend, making it clear that the two were an item. Paulson is also an actress, most recently seen in the television show “Cupid” which was recently canceled.
Now Cherry Jones wins the Emmy for “24” for Best Supporting Actress as the first female president Allison Taylor. However, when she made her acceptance speech, dressed in a simple long black dress that showed off her toned shoulders for a woman of 52, there was no display of affection for Sarah Paulson. In fact, there was no mention of Paulson at all at the star studded show that celebrates excellence in television.
Are the two women splitsville? Or could it be something else?
When Cherry Jones and Sarah Paulson kissed back in 2005, it caused a bit of a commotion. Even in the year 2009, it is not acceptable for celebrities of the same sex to kiss and mean it. Many celebrities have had to remain in the closet for fear of what the public’s reaction would do to their careers. For many, losing ground after years of hard work, climbing the ladder of the entertainment business, is too much to risk.
However, there have been some celebrities who have managed to come out and stay viable. Examples of celebrities who are out and proud are Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Lambert, and the host of the 2009 Emmy Awards Neil Patrick Harris. These are high profile celebrities who continue to gain experience, prestige and money in the competitive entertainment business.
It could be that Cherry Jones and Sarah Paulson were advised to keep a low profile this time. It could be that they decided not to bring on the same attention they got before. But why? The two gave an interview to Velvetpark Media in 2007 announcing their love, and Cherry Jones has remained a respected actress with both her television work and her stage work.
Time will tell whether Cherry Jones and Sarah Paulson are no longer an item. However, if they are no longer an item, we may never know the reason.
Source:
Velvetpark Media interviews Cherry Jones and Sarah Paulson in 2007.
