San Francisco’s own MK Nobilette is the first American Idol finalist to come out while competing on the popular show, which has been on the air since 2002. So many of us have been struck by, not only MK’s singing talent and ease in front of the camera, but also her gutsiness in putting honesty about herself and LGBT awareness ahead of concerns over possibly losing critical votes during the competition. As a result, MK has become a highly visible role model for gay youth. MK, in turn, benefits from two of her most important role models right at home in San Francisco: moms Mindy Spatt and Laurie Nobilette.
Bay Times columnist Naomi Jatovsky has known Mindy, Laurie and MK- Michaela Spatt Nobilette- since the now 20-year-old singer was just a baby. Jatovsky introduced us to Mindy, whom we caught up with as she was traveling back to SF after supporting MK on the show. We were happy to learn that the family reads the Bay Times, which Mindy said “is really great!”
She went on to say, “MK not only has two moms, but she also really grew up in the gay community and a community of women. Hillary Clinton said, ‘It takes a village,’ and, in our case, it was very much a village of women.”
“We were lucky that we had a group of lesbian moms who all had babies at around the same age,” she continued. “Many of us formed a playgroup, and our group is still incredibly close even after all of these years.”
MK is a lifelong Glen Park
resident who graduated from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts. She attended Buena Vista and Synergy schools, and spent many summers at Camp Tawonga, a bucolic Jewish summer camp located near Yosemite.
MK loves many kinds of music, ranging from Disney’s The Little Mermaid to soul singer Allen Stone. A talented original, she was one of 75,000 contestants who auditioned in San Francisco to compete in the thirteenth season of American Idol. For the audition, she sang “If I Were Your Woman” by Gladys Knight & the Pips.
Host Ryan Seacrest has mentioned MK’s moms on the program. Mindy said, “I was pleased and gratified that there hasn’t been a big deal about that nationally since. As mothers, we are just like any other mothers. We want our child to be happy and successful. We are so proud of her.”
In addition to competing on American Idol, MK has performed as a singer and guitarist here on the streets of SF. She has also wowed audiences at the Kate Wolf Festival, San Francisco Pride and the San Francisco Dyke March. American Idol or not, she has an incredible future ahead of her, given her tremendous talent.
As of this writing, MK is still in the competition. Even TV Guide gave her a thumb’s up, saying that MK has “a voice like butter.” Please consider supporting her with your vote! You can vote up to 50 times per contestant. American Idol audiences tend to be conservative (hey, the show runs on Fox), which can affect who wins or not. This makes MK’s presence all the more powerful. As Mindy said, “I think she certainly has brought attention to gay issues for a younger demographic.”
For information on American Idol voting, please go to: www.americanidol.com/vote
The Lexington Club, 3464 19th Street at Lexington, has also been holding viewing parties and rallies to support MK.
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