In a rare interview with Gay Letter magazine, Frank Ocean talks about his life, music and reveals that he has been in a relationship for three years.
From queer art, social media, and his music career, he talks in depth and at length. Answering one topic in particular: why does he rarely do interviews? And what brought on the decision to do more interviews?
“I’m doing more lately… I don’t know if it’s terribly calculated, but I’m just trying to put myself more into whatever kind of stream is going on here in culture,” he said. “I don’t think my feelings about press have anything to do with how times are changing. I think it’s more a feeling.”
The news about his relationship came out when he was questioned about dating and whether he uses dating apps. “I don’t use dating apps. I’ve been in a relationship for three years. I definitely wasn’t using dating apps before then.
“I don’t think I would use dating apps now. I fuck with Marc Jacobs’ philosophy on that, so I wouldn’t rule it out, but it is a little hectic being a famous person on dating apps.”
He was also asked about life in the music industry and how he keeps himself protected as an artist, “Well, fucking with major music companies, you’re going to be… deflowered. Anytime you get into the business side of the arts, there has to be some degree of objectification or commodification that you’re comfortable with, of yourself and of your work.”
Frank deleted Twitter a few years ago, and in the interview he said, “You don’t have anywhere near as much control as you think you have, right? At a lot of crossroads you don’t know which way is which. I think in so many instances, in my experience, intuition has been all I’ve had to go off of. And it’s got such a good success rate.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race also came up, in which he admitted he watches the show sometimes, but he doesn’t keep up with it like he feels he should. He did say though, “Of all the talent shows on TV, that would be the most likely” when asked if he would ever go on the show as a judge.
Frank ended the interview with one last statement that he wanted people to know about him, “Well, my Wikipedia says I’m 5’10, but I’m really 6’1, so listen, we have to correct the kids on my height.”
Read the full interview here.