Coming out is extremely difficult, and it can take a while to figure out how to tell people. It is even more challenging to come out when you are a public figure because of all the added opinions. These celebrities announced that they identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and their stories are so powerful. Find out which stars have come out and remember as RuPaul says, "If you can't love yourself, how are you going to love somebody else."
1. Tim Cook
Although Tim Cook is the CEO of one of the most talked-about companies in the world, he likes to keep his life private. After many rumors, he decided to open up about something very personal. In 2014, he wrote an open letter and publicly came out as a proud gay man. In his letter, he said he has never denied his sexuality but chose not to address it publicly. He has always hoped to work towards social progress with his public platform.
2. Jameela Jamil
Unfortunately, Jameela Jamil did not get to come out in a way she intended because of harsh words on the internet. She announced on social media that she would be judging a show about vogueing, but received backlash because "she is not from the LGBTQ+ community, so she shouldn't be a judge on a show that stems from drag culture." Jamil quickly responded with a tweet stating, "This is why I never officially came out as queer." She explained how difficult it was growing up in a South Asian community where no one was openly out.
3. Amber Heard
Over the past decade, LGBTQ+ rights have progressed greatly, but back in 2008, it was a huge shock when Amber Heard publicly announced she identifies as bisexual. Her close friends and family were worried she wouldn't get another job in Hollywood because of discrimination. She decided to come out when she felt herself falling in love with photographer Tasya van Ree. In an interview, Heard was asked if the rumors were true about her having a girlfriend, and she said yes. She has been very open about her sexuality since.
4. Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough was just a few months into her marriage to Brooks Laich when she announced that after soul-searching, she is not straight. She told her husband first, and he was confused. Hough told him, "I'm not straight, but I chose to be with you." Hough identifies as bisexual, and she has shown the world it is never too late to talk about identity with the people you love.
5. NikkieTutorials
Nikki De Jager or NikkiTutorials on YouTube has over 13 million subscribers on her makeup channel, and this year, she came out in an emotional video as transgender. Sadly, this was not how she wanted to announce this, but someone blackmailed her into sharing this private part of her life. In the video, De Jager stated, "I was born in the wrong body, which means I am transgender." Nikki received such positive and amazing messages on social media, and she hopes to use her immense platform to advocate for trans rights.
6. Aaron Carter
Aaron Carter grew up in the public eye, and he has been figuring himself out throughout the past few years. On his Twitter account, he talked about how he can find boys and girls attractive. However, he back-tracked by saying that his tweet about sexuality got misconstrued. At the end of the day, sexuality is not a black and white subject, so there are no definitive answers for his personal identity.
7. Willow Smith
Willow Smith is the youngest child of Jada and Will Smith, so she has been famous since birth. Her family has always challenged social norms, and recently, her parents announced that they are in a thruple with another woman. Willow came out as bisexual and polyamorous. She has been open about the idea of loving more than one person at a time because an emotional connection with someone is a beautiful thing.
8. Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson publicly came out in 2012 during an interview with Out Magazine. She talked about a woman she had been in a relationship with for a while during high school. Her former girlfriend passed away in 2011, and Anderson wanted to honor her memory by being honest and open about their relationship.
9. Ariana Grande
In 2019, Ariana Grande released a song called "Monopoly," in which she sang, "I like women and men." Her fans were confused and wondered if that was her way of coming out. Also, in the music video for her song "break up with your girlfriend, I'm bored," she was seen about to kiss a woman before the video ended. She has never publicly confirmed her sexuality because she doesn't feel the need to label herself.
10. Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz had a unique way of coming out to the public. He wrote an open letter to the LGBTQ+ community in Billboard Magazine, and closed it by writing, "I am bi your side, all ways." Fans picked up on the spelling, and rumors began to circulate. Mraz was open about his past experiences with men even while dating his wife. This made him confused, but his wife explained it as him having two spirits, one that loves men and one that loves women.
11. Paris Jackson
While Paris Jackson does not like to label her sexuality, people have assumed that she is bisexual because she has been with both men and women. She was never secretive about her sexuality, and she made an official coming out post on Instagram, she said, "How many times have I referred to the community as 'my fellow LGBTQ+.' I've been apart of this community for years."
12. Billy Joe Armstrong
Billy Joe Armstrong is known for his powerful voice in the band Green Day. He has been open about his sexuality and how he identifies as bisexual, but people usually forget this fact about him. Armstrong came out in 1995 during an interview. He said, "I think people are born bisexual, and it's just that our parents and society kind of veer us off into this feeling that it is taboo."
13. Vanessa Carlton
You might recognize Vanessa Carlton as the singer behind the classic "A Thousand Miles." In 2010 she was performing at Nashville Pride, and she saw a same-sex couple in the audience. She said she felt their pain in a way, and wanted to connect with them. During that concert, she felt comfortable to announce that she identifies as bisexual. She then changed the pronouns in her song "Ordinary Day" to show it could be about a male or woman.
14. Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has been on a long public journey with her sexuality. She is still finding herself and figuring out life, but one thing is for sure that she is open to a relationship with a man or a woman. Lovato revealed that she came out to her parents in 2017, and it was an emotional conversation, but beautiful. Ultimately, Demi can be whoever she wants to be because that is her choice, not anyone else's.
15. Kristian Nairn
Kristian Nairn portrayed Hodor on Game of Thrones, who was known for blurting out his own name on the show. However, in real life, Nairn is more reserved. Nairn didn't come out publicly until he was asked in an interview. He said that he is apart of the gay community, and although he has never hidden his sexuality, he has never felt the need to talk about it.