It is easy to see why anyone might be afraid to come out: although it has become easier in recent times as people become more accepting, it is still a daunting and nerve-wracking prospect, especially for a celebrity who could worry that it might effect their career in some way, while others are more fearful of how their friends or family might react, worried that they might lose relationships after they come out. Some held off for years because they thought it would make their dreams of stardom even harder for them, while others cried for hours after revealing the news because they felt as though a weight had been lifted. Here is what 5 stars have to say about their coming out nerves.
Evan Rachel Wood
Evan was afraid of coming out as bisexual and was worried about her family’s reaction: ”It’s become more socially acceptable. With me, the reason why I came out is because I felt like now was the time to no longer be silent about it. I wanted to wait for the right time and wait to have enough years under my belt where people knew that it wasn’t a phase or anything and I wasn’t doing it for attention; this is a part of who I am, and I’m old enough to really know who I am by now. And I had to wait until I told my family, too, which I was really nervous about! And I have a really chill, understanding family, too.”
Frank Ocean
Frank posted to his blog revealing his sexuality to his fans and was so nervous about the reaction he spent hours in tears: “The night I posted it, I cried like a f**king baby. It was like all the frequency just clicked to a change in my head. All the receptors were now receiving a different signal, and I was happy. I hadn’t been happy in so long. I’ve been sad again since, but it’s a totally different take on sad. There’s just some magic in truth and honesty and openness.”
George Michael
George was so nervous about ruining his career that he couldn’t come out for a long time: “I lost my nerve. I wanted to come out but I didn’t realise how successful we were going to be. I think that’s understandable. I was nearly 20 and we were the biggest band in Europe, and within two years the biggest pop band in America. If your goal is to become the biggest-selling artist in America, you’re not going to make life difficult for yourself, are you?”
Joe McElderry
Joe was worried that people’s opinions of him would change: “Everybody’s been absolutely outstanding. I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction. I was overwhelmed. I was nervous. It’s not ideal to have to tell the whole nation that you’re gay! I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is big stuff’. But once I realised who I was as a person, I thought, ‘Right, I’m just going to be honest’. It makes your life easier. I’m more relaxed and I feel comfortable in myself now.”
Paul Iacono
Actor Paul Iacono felt as though a weight had been lifted when he came out: “I feel really good. I feel like a weight has been lifted that I didn’t know was there. I’ve been out with my friends and family for five years, but coming out in a public forum like that is inspiring to myself and hopefully to other people. I think at the moment, we need to have gay pride, because there are so many people who don’t feel as comfortable as I do. And it’s taken me a very long time to get to be comfortable about it, but it’s our duty to the community to step forward and be vocal. I’m gay, it’s cool.”
