Manti Te’o appeared on the Jan. 24 episode of ‘Katie,’ where he told Katie Couric that he was NOT involved in the dead girlfriend hoax and he’s not gay, as many have wondered.
Katie Couric’s interview with Manti Te’o on Jan. 24 seemed strange from the very start. Not only did Manti seem very uncomfortable throughout the hour-long interview, but his version of the truth behind the dead girlfriend hoax came across as more confusing than ever.
Manti, who didn’t appear to be the most comfortable during his sit-down with Katie, said he found out about the scam at the same time as everyone else. However, that confession seemed odd because he found out on Dec. 6, while the story broke on January 16.
Manti told Katie that he did not know Ronaniah Tuiasasopo, who is reportedly behind the “Lennay Kekua” hoax. Manti claims that he only knew him through Lennay.
Katie asked Manti several questions pertaining to his interview with Sports Illustrated reporter Pete Thamel, where Manti described his first meeting with Lennay.
"I wasn't as forthcoming as I should have been but I didn't lie. He never asked if I saw her in person,” Manti admitted. Of course, Katie asked if he was splitting hairs with that answer, but Manti maintained that he was not forthcoming during the original interview with ESPN.
"What I went through was real. The pain, the sorrow, that was all real. That's something I can't fix,” Manti added.
‘Are You Gay?’
Katie asked Manti what everyone else was thinking – "Why wouldn't you want a real girlfriend?"
"She was Polynesian. She was a sophomore. I was a sophomore… There was a lot of comfort in being able to talk to someone who knows my standards and I know her standards,” Manti said.
Katie flat-out asked, "Are you gay?"
Manti answered, "No. Far from it. Far from it.” This answer got a laugh from the audience.
You May Be The Most Naive Person
Katie asked Manti why he wouldn’t go visit Lennay after he found out she was in a car accident. Manti claims that travel plans with Notre Dame prevented a visit. She then continued to ask why he would stay on the phone with her for hours and hours while she was sick with Leukemia, just listening to her breathing.
"That's what my parents always told me, you should always be there for somebody who needs help," he said.
"Either you're the most naive person on the planet or this is the most incredible story," Katie said. "It goes on and on."
Katie played a tape of voice mail messages from Lennay that Manti provided. Referring to a recent report that Ronaniah was claiming to be the voice of Lennay, Manti said, "It didn't sound like a man. It sounded like a woman. It's incredible that he can make that noise."
What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Is Manti innocent?
— Chris Rogers
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@ChrisRogers86
More Manti Te’o hoax news:
- Manti Te'o To Come Clean To Katie Couric In First On-Camera Interview
- Manti Te'o Gives First Interview: I'm Innocent — Listen
- Manti Te'o Dated A Real Girl After 'Death' Of Hoax Girlfriend — Report
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