Stevie Wonder Clarifies Comments About Frank Ocean's Sexuality

4 September 2012 | 3:13 pm | Dan Condon

The legendary singer says that his comments have been misunderstood.

In an interview published in The Guardian last week, Motown legend Stevie Wonder made some comments about Frank Ocean – an R&B singer who clearly takes a lot of cues from Wonder's work – and his recent admission to falling in love with a man a number of years ago. The admission was particularly striking due to the machismo that the urban music world tends to be famous for, and Ocean was applauded for the bravery shown by his comments.

But when answering a question in response to Ocean's sexuality, the legendary Wonder offered that perhaps the young artist was confused.

“I think honestly, some people who think they're gay, they're confused. People can misconstrue closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond.”

The comments caused something of a stir and, as such, Wonder felt he needed to clarify the statement he made.

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In a statement given to MTV News over the weekend, Wonder says that his comments have been misunderstood.

“I'm sorry that my words about anyone feeling confused about their love were misunderstood. No one has been a greater advocate for the power of love in this world than I; both in my life and in my music. Clearly, love is love, between a man and a woman, a woman and a man, a woman and a woman and a man and a man. What I'm not confused about is the world needing much more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and more unity, peace and understanding. Period.”