John Travolta steps out in public amidst sexual assault claims

New York: John Travolta put up a brave face, as he stepped out in public, at an award ceremony in Los Angeles, following scandalous claims about his private life.

The ‘Grease’ star, who has been hit by sensational claims including a “secret six-year gay affair with his pilot”, appeared on stage in Los Angeles to honor Shirley MacLaine, a leading daily has reported. The 58-year-old actor appeared relaxed and smiled during his speech in front of a celebrity crowd which included Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson and Jennifer Aniston. Travolta, along with Aniston and Roberts, led the tributes to the 78-year-old actress, who was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award. Wearing a black tuxedo, he focused his speech on MacLaine, introducing video clips of her work. Travolta had earlier avoided the red carpet and did not sit in the audience with the other A-listers. According to a magazine, the actor had a relationship with pilot Doug Gotterba in the Eighties, before he was married to actress Kelly Preston. Travolta was also hit with two lawsuits last month from two male masseurs who claimed that the actor had made sexual advances towards them during massages. Both claims had been strongly denied by the actor’s lawyers and one claim was later withdrawn. ANI