Famed actor and television host Wayne Brady has opened up about his sexual orientation, identifying himself as pansexual in a recent candid interview with People Magazine.
Brady, known for his roles on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “Let’s Make a Deal,” connected his coming out with his broader mental health advocacy journey, a path inspired by Robin Williams’ tragic passing in 2014.
Brady also shed light on what his sexuality meant to him, stating, “Pan means being able to be attracted across the board. For me, at least right now, that’s the proper place.”
The multi-talented performer shared personal insights, expressing how he once struggled with self-acceptance, repressing or avoiding aspects of himself. “I gave joy at work. But then I come home, and I don’t have that joy,” he reflected.
Brady’s quest for self-discovery led him to a critical realisation about loving himself. He recognised a love deficit in his life, a turning point he described as his “rock bottom.”
Despite experiencing same-sex attraction before, Brady confessed that he never acted on those feelings due to societal pressures and past upbringing. He was previously married to Mandie Taketa and Diana Lasso and has a 20-year-old daughter, Maile.
Brady also spoke candidly about the internalised shame he felt for not being transparent about his queer identity and how it prevented him from fully participating in the LGBTQ+ community.
“What does that feel like to actually not be shameful, to not feel like, ‘Oh, I can’t be part of this conversation because I’m lying?’ I had to break that behaviour,” he explained.
While he’s now ready to embrace his authentic self, Brady clarified that he’s not rushing to explore new romantic relationships. He sees this time as an opportunity for continued personal growth. “I am single, but it’s not about being with someone right now. I’ve got some work to do still,” he stated.
