Is Frank Ocean in a Relationship with a Male Model?

Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.

R&B singer Frank Ocean has sparked rumors once again after he posted a photo on his Instagram account Sunday night. The image shows the musician embracing Willy Cartier, a French male model, the Hollywood Reporter reports.

In July the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All member took to his Tumblr and revealed that his first love was with a man --- days before his debut album "Channel Orange" dropped, the Associated Press reported.

"Four summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide," the "Pyramids" singer wrote.

According to the Reporter, several sources have identified the mystery man, who has long, brown, flowing hair, as Cartier and rumors have sprouted that the French model is Ocean's current boyfriend. The singer recently mentioned Cartier on his Twitter and even hinted at marriage, writing,"Marry em, make em American."

But the picture appears to be a candid photo of the two men and it looks like it was taken from a movie screen, which has led some to believe that the model will appear in Ocean's next music video. The singer is set to release his next single, "Lost," on Dec. 17.

Ocean, 24, responded to the speculations and wrote, "Lol y'all are crazy. Remember, everyone goes to the grave. Let me live."

E! Online points out that Ocean and Cartier have shown up together at red carpet events, including GQ's Men of the Year party, but there was no displays of affection between them.

Although homophobic sentiments have been far too common in the rap and R&B community, Ocean was met with praise by peers when he revealed his same-sex love affair.

"I think it's definitely important and it really signifies that there is a changing of the face of hip-hop," said Chuck Creekmur, founder of the leading website allhiphop.com. Creekmur also called Ocean's announcement "a sign of the times."

"There is still a very nasty streak of homophobia in this country that we have to overcome," Russell Simmons, a founder and former owner of Def Jam, said. "I'm hoping the support by his friends and the members of the creative community will override it and, whatever he loses, he will gain more."

Ocean hasn't only been applauded for his courageous move but also for his music. Not only has he written songs for pop star heavyweights, including Beyonce and Justin Bieber, Rolling Stone gave his record 4 stars and Pitchfork rated it a 9.5 out of 10. Additionally, both Spin and Paste magazine named "Channel Orange" the best record of 2012, while Filter and Mojo placed it at number two on their end-year-lists.


by Jason St. Amand , National News Editor

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