Bi-listers: Celebrities Who Came Out in 2022
It’s 2022 and surprisingly, coming out is still a thing! For celebrities and public figures, there is an added element of pressure of having to do it publicly. This can lead to invasive questions, a sense of entitlement to one’s private life, or worse - the circulation of rumors and gossip. The following celebs have owned their stories and chosen to share their truth with the world as they navigate the world of bisexual dating.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo’s impressive acting career includes The Colour Purple musical, Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum, Harriet and the high-anticipated Wicked, where the actress will star alongside Ariana Grande.
The Grammy and Tony award winner confirmed she is bisexual in this year’s British Vogue Pride issue, although she had previously described herself as queer.
Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson is widely known for her acting career, especially her role in Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect. Rebel Wilson came out publicly after an Australian paper attempted to out her. Wilson hasn’t specifically labeled her sexuality, but in an Instagram post she shared this June she introduced her girlfriend, comparing her to a Disney Princess. The caption reads, “I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess 💗🌈💗#loveislove”.
Emeli Sandé
Emeli Sandé is an award-winning singer-songwriter known for musical style which blends R&B, soul and gospel. Sandé announced in March that she is in love with a woman. When asked if she identifies as bisexual, the singer answered, “I just feel like I should fall in love with whoever I fall in love with”. Soon after coming out, Sandé surprised fans at UK Black Pride with an emotional performance.
Aunjanue Ellis
Aunjanue Ellis is best known for her Oscar-nominated performance in King Richard. The actress had been out to friends and family, but came out publicly this year while attending the 2022 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards. The Dolce & Gabanna suit jacket she wore had the word ‘queer’ emblazoned in rhinestones.
Sawyer Fredericks
The singer-songwriter is one of the youngest winners of The Voice. At age 16, Fredericks won the eighth season of the competition. Since appearing on The Voice, he has released three albums. This February, Fredericks announced he identifies as bisexual via an Instagram post, in which he wrote: “When I was younger I thought I was straight, because I was more attracted to women, and I didn’t know there were more options besides Gay and Straight. So I just assumed I was Straight”.
Rae Williams
Rae Williams appeared on Netflix’s reality dating show, The Ultimatum, with her then-partner Zay. They joined five other couples on the show, under the premise that they would swap partners before they decided whether to stay with their original partner. Rae left Zay for another contestant, Jack, but in the reunion episode she confirmed that they never dated after the show.
During the reunion, Williams also came out as bisexual: "I have been with one person...she’s amazing. I had a really good connection with her, but we kept it casual, and I’m kind of figuring out myself and my sexuality because I was very uncomfortable with being bi for a very long time".
Ginger Gonzaga
Ginger Gonzaga is known for playing Nikki Ramos on She-Hulk, She-Hulk’s BFF, who is also a paralegal. In an interview, the actress came out by addressing her character’s sexuality: “I wish that we got to do more. Nikki is definitely queer, she’s free, she’ll love anyone”.
Gonzaga added: “I thought of her initially as being bi, because I’m kind of projecting myself onto this character. But in truth I think Nikki will love anyone — and she can hang with anyone, which is fun”.
Ozzy Lusth
The four-time Survivor contestant came out in April via Twitter:
“And for my Republican Colleagues, and anyone else who matters, Yeah I’m Bisexual. Am I committing crimes?? If so come get me. Let us ALL live with dignity. Ask yourself if you support people, or the fucked dogma you’ve been fed”.
Since appearing on Survivor, Lusth has found success as a content creator on Only Fans.
Maria Thattil
Former Miss Universe Australia, Maria Thattil, is known for being a model, content creator, and columnist. During her participation in the reality television series I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, Thattil came out as bisexual:
"Growing up I always thought maybe a little bit bi-curious. And I’ve only ever dated straight people, but growing up I did have crushes on girls that I went to school with. Before I came here [on the show], I was out at a party and I met a girl and we ended up hooking up. It just felt natural".
