In a magazine interview, the "Maroon 5" singer flamed American Idol for influencing gay contestants to not speak about their real sexuality.

The latest issue of "Out Magazine" features the "She Will Be Loved" singer as the cover boy, whose interview included a bash session against the show American Idol. Levine talked about how talent show, "The Voice," was openly proud that it had four gay participants, while AI urges their gay contestants to keep it on the down low.

"What's always pissed me off about Idol is wanting to mask that, for that to go unspoken," says Levine in the interview as transcribed by Popwatch.ew.com. The 32-year-old grew up with a gay brother, and is an active advocate against homophobia. Levine, whose band Maroon 5 won Best New Artist in the 2005 Grammy Awards, said American Idol's backwards take on the open gay revolution is not going to do anything about the esteems of their gay contenders.

"C'mon. You can't be publicly gay? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break." says Levine in the same report.

"You can't hide basic components of these people's lives. The fact that The Voice didn't have any qualms about being completely open about it is a great thing." continues the cover boy in the same Popwatch post.

Watch a video of Maroon 5 performing their hit "This Love" at the Vevo Summer Sets below:

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