13 Celebrities Who Faced Gay Rumors...And Then Came Out
While coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
(LGBT) in Hollywood, sports or politics has become increasingly less
taboo, these experiences are still extremely personal and not
met without backlash.
LGBT people frequently have to worry about the possible ramifications
coming out will have on their careers, relationships and almost every
other aspect of their life and this can be especially true of those in
the spotlight.
Inspired by
recent events,
we decided to take a look back on thirteen prominent individuals in the
LGBT community who, at some point, faced rumors about their sexuality
but waited until later in their life to publicly come out.
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Tom Daley
AP
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Ricky Martin
Michael Tran via Getty Images
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Raven-Symone
shutterstock
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Neil Patrick Harris
Phil McCarten/Invision/AP
Neil Patrick Harris' sexuality was hotly debated for years before he came out and the gay rumors were fueled by
regular public sitings of the actor with his alleged boyfriend.
The "Doogie Howser, MD" and "How I Met Your Mother Star" came out on the cover of People magazine in November of 2006.
Harris told the magazine:
"The public eye has always been kind to me, and until
recently I have been able to live a pretty normal life. Now it seems
there is speculation and interest in my private life and relationships.
So, rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions
without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or
misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay
man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working
with wonderful people in the business I love."
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Lance Bass
shutterstock
Rumors ran rampant about the sexuality of Lance
Bass while he was a member of 'N Sync, though the singer reportedly
remained closeted over fears that coming out would
"completely ruin" the boy band's lucrative career.
The pop star finally came out on the cover of People magazine in July 2006. When asked why he decided to come out then,
Bass said,
"The main reason I wanted to speak my mind was that (the rumors) really
were starting to affect my daily life. Now it feels like it's on my
terms. I'm at peace with my family, my friends, myself and God so
there's really nothing else that I worry about."
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Anderson Cooper
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Anderson Cooper's sexuality had been
scrutinized for years but it wasn't until July 2012 that he finally addressed the issue when he
came out in an email
to his friend and fellow journalist, Andrew Sullivan.
In Cooper's message, which was posted on Sullivan's blog, "The Dish," on
The Daily Beast, the CNN anchor stated, "The fact is, I'm gay, always
have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable
with myself, and proud."
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Michelle Rodriguez
shutterstock
There was wide-spread speculation about Michelle
Rodriguez's sexuality prior to the actress' coming out, with the star
reportedly telling a member of the paparazzi "
I'm not a lesbian... Michi likes sausage."
Rodriguez went on to
come out as bisexual in late 2013, reportedly
telling Latina magazine,
"Eventually it’s going to wrinkle up and I’m not going to be able to
use it. I wanted to be honest about who I am and see what happens."
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Clay Aiken
Jude Domski via Getty Images
"American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken had been
the subject of gay rumors since his days on the reality series in 2003.
After becoming a father in August of 2008, Aiken
came out on the cover
of People magazine in September 2008 saying, "[Coming out] was the
first decision I made as a father... I cannot raise a child to lie or to
hide things. I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a
child to do that."
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Wentworth Miller
AP
Wentworth Miller previously denied rumors about his sexuality in 2007 when he told the press “
I’m not gay, but that rumor can’t be killed."
The
"Prison Break" star went on to come out in August 2013 after being
invited to attend the St. Petersburg International Film Festival in
Russia. In the midst of massive anti-gay violence and legislation
throughout the country at that time, he decided it was time to go public
about his sexuality.
"Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting
Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it
would make me happy to say yes," the 41-year-old wrote in a letter to
the festival's director, which was posted on GLAAD's website. "However,
as a gay man, I must decline."
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Jodie Foster
Stefanie Keenan via Getty Images
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George Takei
Steve Zak Photography via Getty Images
The beloved George Takei, known as Sulu on "Star Trek,"
came out in a 2005 article in Frontiers, an LGBT magazine, after
being the subject of gay rumors.
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Rosie O'Donnell
AP
The comedian and talk show host
came out by revealing
"I'm a dyke!" during her stand up act at the Ovarian Cancer Research
benefit at Carolines Comedy Club in February 2002.
Throughout her years hosting the "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" from 1996 to
2002, O'Donnell never publicly addressed her sexuality despite
pervasive rumors.
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George Michael
AP
After being caught performing a "lewd act" in a public restroom, Michael came out to CNN in April 1998.
Michael said,
"This is as good of a time as any... I want to say that I have no
problem with people knowing that I'm in a relationship with a man right
now. I have not been in a relationship with a woman for almost 10
years."
Later that year Michael spoofed the incident in the music video for his
single "Outside."