Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Kenny Chesney’s Gay Rumors: Is There Truth To Them?

Kenny Chesney Gay Rumors
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

In 2005, country singer Kenny Chesney’s sexuality became the headline of many tabloids. The speculations surfaced after actress Renée Zellweger cited “fraud” as the reason behind the annulment of their rather short-lived marriage. People interpreted the term as a sort of betrayal, and they were convinced that it referred to Chesney’s sexuality. Decades later, despite the ex-couple’s denial, the gay rumors still haven’t been put to rest. 

Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger Relationship Timeline

Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger first met in January 2005 at NBC’s “Concert of Hope” tsunami aid telethon. Then, they went public in late April with a margarita and an onstage kiss. A week later, they got married in an intimate ceremony in the Virgin Islands, and after 225 days, their marriage was over. 

Is Kenny Chesney gay? Zellweger says…

RELATED: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Kenny Chesney

No, he’s not. 

Zellweger clarified in a statement that “fraud” was simply a legal language and it wasn’t at all a reflection of Chesney’s character. The singer echoed her sentiments and once again asked for privacy for the both of them. Then they followed up with a joint statement, stating, “the miscommunication of the objective of their marriage at the start is the only reason for this annulment. Renée and Kenny value and respect each other and are saddened that their different objectives prevent the success of this marriage.”

Despite the clarifications, the rumor mill didn’t stop. 

Two years later, Chesney finally spoke up about it. In his interview with Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, he officially said that he wasn’t gay. The reason he didn’t say anything about the matter was that first, it wasn’t true, and second, he didn’t want to bring more attention to it. He also added that his ex-wife checked “fraud” as they believed it would be the “least harmful” option for them. 

After Zellwegger, Chesney gave love another shot. 

Kenny Chesney’s girlfriend, Mary Nolan, is a film actress, singer, and dancer, and they’ve been together since 2012. While not a lot is known about their relationship, as they rarely step out together, it seems like they’re still going strong. 

Hopefully, gay rumors about Kenny Chesney have all been squashed at this point. It has been a long time. 

Latest Stories

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...