Shelton says ‘I don’t do politics’ and no ‘secret meeting’ with Paul Ryan
IF COUNTRY singer and “Sexiest Man Alive” Blake Shelton knew his relationship with Gwen Stefani was grist for the gossip mill, perhaps he should have been prepared for the speculation that would be set off when he was snapped alongside another high-profile figure: House Speaker Paul Ryan, Republican-Wisconsin.
Photographs of Shelton and Ryan (should we call them RyShel?) at the singer’s “Ole Red” restaurant in Oklahoma surfaced earlier this week, and the Twitter reaction was — as it is when it comes to anything and anyone political — mixed. Mostly, folks just dragged Shelton for his association. “Just lost all respect for you,” one (ostensibly) former fan wrote. But since it’s Twitter and we’re in the era of conspiracy theories, at least one person suggested darker forces at work: The pair were hanging out to “plot against liberals and socialists.” Sure, why not? By Thursday, Shelton was not having it and took to Twitter to dispel any rumours suggesting the pair had actually had more than a fleeting greeting and to remind people that “I don’t do politics.” (Recall that country singers are notoriously allergic to politics that might alienate their fan base.) His explanation of the encounter: “Literally walked into a restaurant WITH MY FAMILY (including children, LOTS of children), bumped into a politician that I’ve never even met before, said hello and took pictures (like I would try to do with anyone I meet who asks). Then we immediately left because it was too cold for the outdoor area we had reserved. And now according to the internet we were hanging out or having some big secret meeting in a PUBLIC restaurant!!!!!! — WPBLAKE Bloomberg