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Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC
Jodie Foster/AP

Foster alludes to being gay, hints at retiring

Veteran actress delivers memorable acceptance speech for lifetime achievement award

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- Jodie Foster came out without really coming out, and suggested she was retiring from acting without exactly saying so, in a long, breathless and rambling speech at Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards.

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Foster took the stage as this year's winner of the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, which had been announced previously. But her acceptance speech was anything but predictable as the veteran actress seized control of what is every year a noisy, boozy ballroom, and the crowd of A-listers quickly quieted down as it became apparent that she had something serious and important to say.

The 50-year-old Oscar-winner for "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Accused," who's been protective of her private life and reluctant to discuss her sexual orientation, was coy at first, suggesting she had a big announcement that would make her publicist nervous (the broadcast audio dropped out at this point, but for no apparent reason; nothing was said off-color). Then she stated: "I'm just going to put it out there, loud and proud ... I am, uh, single," pausing for dramatic effect before that last word. "I hope you're not disappointed that there won't be a big coming-out speech tonight. I already did my coming out about a thousand years ago, back in the Stone Age."

Foster joked that celebrities are now expected to reveal they're gay "with a press conference, a fragrance and a prime-time reality show. And you guys might be surprised, but I am not Honey Boo Boo Child. No. I'm sorry. That's just not me. It never was and it never will be. But please don't cry, because my reality show would be so boring."

She added defiantly: "If you had been a public figure from the time that you were a toddler, if you'd had to fight for a life that felt real and honest and normal against all odds, then maybe you, too, might value privacy above all else."

Foster thanked Cydney Bernard, a production manager and her former partner of 20 years, whom she identified as "my heroic co-parent, my ex-partner in love but righteous soul sister in life" -- a relationship she never hid and from which she has two sons.

She also made it sound as if she planned to retire from acting once and for all, something she'd toyed with previously.

More: Golden Globes analysis | Red carpet photos | Winners

"This feels like the end of one era and the beginning of something else. Scary and exciting and now what?" Foster said. "I may never be up on this stage again, on any stage, for that matter."

But backstage afterward, she clarified for reporters: "I could never stop acting. You'd have to drag me behind a team of horses. I'd like to be directing tomorrow. I'm more into it than I have ever been."

As for why she chose this place and time to discuss her private life, Foster explained backstage: "The speech kind of speaks for itself. ... It's a big moment. I wanted to say what's most in my heart."

Her revelation, vague as it was, nonetheless set Twitter on fire with reactions. Some called her words moving and brave while others suggested that she should have done more to be a role model for lesbians.

Ricky Martin, who came out himself in 2010, tweeted: "Jody Foster On your terms. Its your time! Not before nor after. Its when it feels right."

And Amy Poehler, who co-hosted the Golden Globes with longtime friend and fellow comedian Tina Fey, cracked as she was signing off for the night: "We're going home with Jodie Foster!"

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577Comments
J. A.
Jan 14, 2013 9:48PM
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Jodie's speech was a train wreck....Or pehaps another example of your brain on drugs...any questions? Stick to acting and call in sick next nomination.....!

 

Southernbell33
Jan 14, 2013 9:44PM
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It's her business, I have always loved her and her work. She is truly a great actress. and if she is happy with her life God loves her. She has always given her all in the rolls that she has played. I have always gone to see her movies. Jodi your the Greatest,
StevenR
Jan 14, 2013 9:44PM
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Typical Hollywood scum
Concerned AK Citizen (HollyWoodHippocratesSocialists)
Jan 14, 2013 9:39PM
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We the proud Americans don’t care what people think of us, because we are grown up, independent, self sufficient, hard working Americans, we don’t take handouts, we buy what we can afford, we save our money for larger purchases, we paid our houses off or continue to make our payments because we didn’t buy a 80” TV to watch the phony’s, we don’t like bailouts of any kind, nor welfare or food stamps, we believe in, Ready? PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, we don’t face book looking for public acceptance, we teach our children to be responsible for their actions and to take care of themselves, because we won’t always be around to take care of them and our opinion counts as much as yours and that is thanks to the Constitution. So glad our lives and livelihood don’t revolve around what other people think of us or perceive. These Hollywood Hippocrates have to live a lie a phony life to stay popular and in the limelight or else they are broke. They couldn’t make a living on their own, no brilliant ideas or inventions, no contributions to society, so they get a buck from everyone that see their shows, and it’s no different than public welfare. They may have more money, but we are the rich ones, not them, they need our pity, don’t aspire to be like them, make darn sure you never end up like one of them. Give thanks you were smart enough to keep your kids out of acting, they will be far richer if they work for it, then if its handed to them, like in Hippocrates Wood.

Ha Ha

Concerned AK Citizen (HollyWoodHippocratesSocialists)
Jan 14, 2013 9:39PM
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Well next will be the liberal hate messages to run this down, but the reason they get so mad is the truth, if it wasn't all true, every word typed above, then they wouldn't be mad, would they?

It’s the truth they hate and then they try to convince themselves they are right, so they can feel better about themselves, back to the depression reasons listed above. Good luck with that!

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Jodie Foster to receive Cecil B. Demille award at the 2013 Golden Globes awards ceremony.The decorated actress will be honored for lifetime achievement. MSN Entertainment's guide to the 2013 Golden Globes is your go-to resource for full coverage of the awards with predictions, red-carpet coverage, nominees, winners, videos, photos, highlights and more.
 

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