In a live chat right here on Comcast.net this afternoon, "American Idol" finalist Danny Gokey cleared up some big questions about who he is, where his career is headed, his beliefs on homoesexuality, and whether or not he's actually considering a run on "Dancing with the Stars."

Danny's live chat was the eighth in a series of live chats with the entire Top 10 from "American Idol's" Season 8 hosted here on Comcast.net's "Eye on Idol" blog. It was a packed 30 minutes. You can see the entire transcript below, but here are some of the highlights.

One big question on fans' minds was whether Danny had a record deal lined up. He played a little coy, but gave more information than he has in the past.

"Today I'm supposed to be talking with 19 Records. There's something in the works right now, and I'm not going to say anything until it's final," Danny said. "But there's something going on behind the scenes."

Danny mostly shot down recent rumors that he'll be participating in the next season of "Dancing with the Stars."

"I have not heard of anything," Danny said about reports connecting him to the show. "The way I look at it is like this: My first passion is my music and my foundation. That's my priority. If, in the future, it works out to bring awareness to my foundation and my music, I would do it. But I don't want to do any distractions at this point."

Things grew a little serious when the subject of runner-up Adam Lambert came up and Danny was asked to clear up the topics on which he and Adam "disagree."

"Religious beliefs, and... I think that was the main topic," Danny said. "But we did it in a very respectful way. It was cool because we would never argue or frustrate each other, we'd just like to hear the other opinion on the conversation. And at the end of the conversation, we'd respectfully disagree and we have a great, strong friendship. It was mostly religion."

*** Click here to follow me on Twitter! ***

But when the subject of an exchange between Danny and fellow "Idol" finalist Michael Sarver was broached, Danny opened up a little more. Asked if he had a response to some of the anger that came up over a behind-the-scenes video he did with Michael that seemed to mock homosexuality.

"Yes. I accept gay people, but people have to accept my beliefs," Danny said. "We have to accept their beliefs, but they have to accept my beliefs. We agree to disagree. I don't judge people, but at the same time, if they believe in what they believe, they have to accept me and what I believe. But I accept anybody as they come. That's my character and my personality."

Click on the transcript below to see more of what Danny had to say about his biggest challenges on the show, his plans for the "Idol" tour, and how he responds to people who allege that he's exploiting the tragedy of his wife's untimely passing.



*** Click here to comment! What do you think of what Danny had to say?

Message Edited by Victor_Balta on 06-17-2009 09:44 AM