Melissa Etheridge

Melissa is openly gay. Starting in 2001, she was in a relationship with Tammy Lynn Michaels, an actress who appeared on the television show Popular. Michaels gave birth to twins in 2006, but the couple split up in 2010. In 2014, Etheridge married the TV writer/producer Linda Wallem, who has credits on That '70s Show and Nurse Jackie.

Etheridge was signed by Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records. He also signed U2 and Bob Marley.

She defended Eminem back in the '90s when he was rapping antigay lyrics as part of his Slim Shady persona; Etheridge said she appreciated him as an artist. She has also claimed to be a Britney Spears fan.