There’s been a lot of speculation about Empire actor Jussie Smollett’s sexuality since the show has risen in popularity, fueled in part by his reluctance to talk about his personal life in the media. Now he’s made a special appearance with Ellen to sort-of-kinda-come out.
Jussie plays a gay role on the show, and last week his costar Malik Yoba referenced that he’s gay in real life. Malik’s publicist had to mop that one up, which only led to further confusion.
After a recent taping of Ellen, Jussie asked to film a follow-up interview to put the issue to rest. Except rather than just say “I’m gay, and it’s really no big deal,” he does a verbal tap dance around the subject. For all intents and purposes, we’re going to call this a coming out, though its vagueness (and the fact that it only appears in a web video, not on the Ellen show itself) suggests he won’t be the grand marshall of any gay pride parades. At least not this year.
Here’s what he said:
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“It was very important to me that as my first, you know, performance and talk show, that it was with you. You’ve been such an inspiration to so many, but also to me — what you’ve done in the LGBT community is very much, in my opinion, kind of like what Michael Jackson did with the black community. Just that you are who you are — he was just Michael, and you’re just Ellen. So it was really important to me to make sure that it got across that there is no closet, there’s never been a closet that I’ve been in. I don’t own a closet…but I have a home, and it’s my responsibility to protect that, so that’s why I choose not to talk about my personal life. But there is without a doubt no closet that I’ve ever been in…My mama knows, and I take her to the Sound of Music singalong every single year, so any questions?…We’re human, and we love and we do all that good stuff.”
Here’s the clip:
tdh1980
Here is proof positive that one can be out and proud yet still private, as they are two separate concepts. This is why I get frustrated when celebrities say they choose not to discuss or divulge their sexuality as a matter of *privacy*. Exactly what is private about saying that you’re gay, straight, bi, trans, etc.? Other than the orientation itself no more is learned from that admission, nor does one have to reveal anything more than s/he is comfortable with, but playing coy about it gives credence to the notion that it’s something about which one should reasonably feel shame or embarrassment.
Xzamilio
“Intensive purposes”… I don’t care if that is acceptable use… for all intents and purposes, it sounds dumb. Love Jussie… what is “coming out”… putting it on a magazine cover? Holding a press conference? Man, please…
mmichael_24
I just hope he came out because he wanted to not because people were pushing him to do so.
NG22
The love that dare not speak its name?
I’m 90% with Jussie — overwhelmingly supportive and proud of him. But there’s a little piece of me that notices the great pains he took to avoid labels. We all know what he’s saying, but it was a little uncomfortable.
Still, glad he came out as ______.
NG22
@mmichael_24: The ‘now y’all can stop asking me’ part at the end suggests to me that he just wants to clear the deck and normalize it so people get over it.
Everyone’s been asking, Malik Yoba ‘outed’ him, and it was taking on a life of its own. By saying he’s not in a closet and that Ellen is an inspiration to the LGBT community and to him (never rhetorically linking himself to the LGBT community), he’s hoping for a middle of the road approach.
He wants to say enough so people stop talking and asking, but not say so much as to be definitive or relinquish his ‘privacy.’
Louis
Gay or straight doesn’t matter to me .
Hes sweet hes compassionate love his voice very handsome he cares about others to me that’s really all that matters.
feelingrandy
Look
this guy has been thrust into the spotlight very quickly. I wonder if they had any idea when the filming began on Empire that this show would rock it. That said, I have rarely felt about Mr Smollet what I feel from ANY actor. From the first episode he had me in my tears and continues to provoke a lot of emotions. This interview alone, he just gets my respect and I say, give him time, give him space.
Milk
@mmichael_24: Like Anderson Cooper, he is already out to his friends and families. However we live in an age of many self appointed gay police that as a celebrity you have to come out to the media and announce to the whole world that you are gay. Because if there’s a stranger left in this world that does not know you are gay, you are still in the closet.
Milk
Malik Yoba is a coworker and a friend who obviously know that he is gay. In such a natural way that he accidentally “outed Jussie Smollett not realizing the media operate at a very different level when it comes to gay celebrity. Hence the back track his statement for damaged control.It just highlight that being gay still has that fear of detrimental effect on the career.The scattering few who succeeded being openly gay are far and few in between.
Merv
Way too defensive. He sounds like he went to the Sean Hayes school of coming out.
chicago69
Gorgeous and talented, the odds were in our favor!
SonOfKings
Oh, he’s just being ridiculous. Why doesn’t he just say the obvious (he’s gay) and be done with it. That would be putting the issue to rest. Not being mysterious. Being gay is like being male. Nothing to be secretive and “private” about. Save the secrecy for those intimate, erotic details of your dating lifestyle. Now THAT belongs in the closet.
Curty
He’s gay and just don’t want to explicitly say so. Sounds like Sean Hayes doesn’t he? And just like Sean he will say, “I’m gay” just like Sean hayes a few years later. He seems to be concerned about something, maybe fan support, female fans or something for not just saying, “I’m a gay man.”
Desert Boy
I’ve never seen ‘Empire’. It doesn’t look remotely interesting.
Merv
@Desert Boy: Empire is a soap opera with high production values. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I’ve enjoyed it so far.
AtticusBennett
believe it or not, you can be openly-gay and still maintain a personal and private life. i know jon stewart is gay. i know he’s married and is a father. i don’t know who his wife is. i don’t know anything else about his personal life.
Curty
I’ve never watched it either but it has become a big hit with the African-American community. I just don’t watch much t.v. besides dateline, 48 hours, 60 minutes, sports.
Merv
@AtticusBennett: Jon Stewart is gay?
NG22
@AtticusBennett: Dude, what are you talking about?
Bob LaBlah
I think I already see the season ending with Jussie having a run in with a d/l rapper from the hood. It’s inevitable. You have rich black gay kid here who can’t seem to even remember the days when there was no money so where is the one from the hood who remembers waiting in the welfare line with grandma and momma? The one who did time with daddy and saw with his own eyes the day he entered prison daddy’s tough as a nail ass being led around and pimped out like a princess without a throne by a guy who makes Simon Adebissi (HBO Oz) look like Santa Claus in comparison?
Damn, I wish I were writing for that show. I like the kid but I am hoping they “man” him up a bit more during next season. Whether they do or not I love you still, Jussie.
Blackceo
I love Jussie even more for his words with Ellen. He is still going to do it HIS way and not the way a bunch of whining ass gay men want him to do it. So the F what he didn’t say “gay”. He is a talented and sweet guy and I’m so happy for his success and the overall success of Empire, which shows people and stories I as a gay man of color can relate to. Can’t wait til Wednesday when I have my snack and adult beverage and see what happens next.
Paco
He’s cute.
Black Pegasus
He handled it well in my view, and I’m glad he showed no fear in doing so. But I also must respect his desire not to be defined by what gender he sleeps with. We live in a hypocritical society. On one hand, the straights always complain about masculine Gay Black men hiding and deceiving everyone because we don’t fit the typical gay stereotypes, and on the other hand they get mad as hell when masculine non stereotypical gay men come out. They start claiming the “gay agenda” is being shoved down their throats. Then they proceed to define you by your sexuality at ALL times, thus typecasting you.
Ask Michael Sam how that coming out thing worked out. He will be forever seen for who he sleeps with rather than the MAN he is..
lauraspencer
In the late 90s early 00s it seemed the typical way to come out was to announce it to PEOPLE MAGAZINE and have the cover read “Yep, I’m Gay!! Ellen, Lance, teh Gaiken, et. al.
There has been a shift recently… Jussie’s statement feels a bit like Jodi Foster from 2 years ago where she came out(or so we thought)without ever saying the words “gay” or “lesbian”. I’m glad he made this step and basically came out, but I don’t like how it seems there is shame in actually saying the word “gay”.
chicago69
While the hesitation could be a result of shame, it could also be more benignly just his own personal belief that it’s entirely a personal matter that he shouldn’t be compelled to announce publicly.
Giancarlo85
Guys chill. He can come out his own way and be his own person. You ought not to tell others how to live, how to come out and so forth. It is a tad condescending and hypocritical.
Desert Boy
@AtticusBennett: Jon Stewart is gay? Source? Or, just your opinion?
Giancarlo85
@Black Pegasus: You’re masculine? When pigs fly. You are a total femme… Just admit it lol.
Blackceo
@Giancarlo85:
It’s very condescending. It’s not anyone’s story to tell EXCEPT Jussie’s and he can tell it in whatever manner he wants. Why does he need to say the word “gay” . Is it too “read between the lines” for some people. I mean the man declared his sexuality and if people have an issue with his style than oh fucking well.
MMDD
@Black Pegasus: “Ask Michael Sam how that coming out thing worked out. He will be forever seen for who he sleeps with rather than the MAN he is..”
And the reason for this is…? Maybe because he had the audacity to have a boyfriend whom he showed public affection toward, just like heterosexuals do every single minute of every single day without ever giving it a second thought?
gjpd
WOW ! I’m so impressed with this guy. Finally someone with the balls to NOT play the ridiculous ‘coming out’ game. Seriously I can’t think of a more damaging concept than to be telling guys they are weak or afraid if they don’t cave into group pressure and announce details about themselves. Then, with a ‘pack mentality’ media and individuals go hunting for anyone who may have something to announce, who may have something to hide.
There is no shame or coyness with Jussie in this situation. He actually says all there is to say. He doesn’t hide a single thing except making a useless “I am…….” statement. Sexuality is ONLY relevant when you are having sex ! It is about attraction and sexual connection. It is not lifestyle, it is not wardrobe, it is not venue choice, or neighbourhoods. It is about personal, human, intimate connections between consenting human beings. WHAT THE HELL IS THERE TO ANNOUNCE ?
The people who are showing their shame and internalised homophobia are the hunters. The ones who ‘go after’ people like Jussie, nag them, attack and pursue them are the ones who have an issue with sexuality and individual choice. They try to project their shame and homophobia on to any victim they can find. This guy, thank God, isn’t caving in. Go bully someone else !
I’m glad he avoids labels. He’s an individual. I’m glad he acknowledges there is no closet. Rediculous and damaging concept. They don’t exist. I’m glad he doesn’t confuse privacy with secrecy, hiding and shame. He couldn’t have chosen a more public way, via the Ellen show’ to prove he’s not hiding. He just very bravely, individually and wisely told everyone to back off and let him live his proud, private life.
Hopefully he will experience some lovely, private moments to express his sexuality within his relationships where it belongs. Not in media spotlight ! Congratulations Jussie Smollett !
Curty
I have took his approach in my own life and circles. I have a public job and people have said, “they heard such and such..” and I tell them, for one this is my private life and im at work but those who know me, know me after work know the real me
It is not his job to spell or tell the world everything. He said he has no closets but he obviously does not want to share what gender he wanta in bed with. His choice, his life.
salex
Jessie knows who he is. He’s comfortable being himself. Let it rest and enjoy his talent.
Merv
@Black Pegasus: He didn’t handle it well at all. It might have been OK if he had said what he wanted to on the show itself, but instead he apparently regretted his performance on the show and called aside Ellen after the show to record a separate video. It makes him look slightly flakey. Then there’s the fact that he apparently has no problem saying LGBT, but can’t bring himself to say the G-word that is part of the acronym.
DarkZephyr
Personally I have nothing but respect for how he handled this.
@gjpd: Coming out is not ridiculous.
Milk
Those who never seen Empire, you are missing out a great show.
Alan down in Florida
I think that most of you folks are missing the point. Jussie is saying that he is not coming out of the closet because he has never been in the closet. He has been open about who he is and being gay is just one part of who this immensely talented man is, just like being gorgeous is one part of the man who is Jussie Smollett.
DarkZephyr
@gjpd: I took the time to read your whole post and I think, with all due respect that you live on a planet other than this one. Being gay goes far beyond sex. It’s also about *love* which has very public aspects to it unless you want to sequester your entire romantic relationship to your bedroom. If that is your choice, that is fine. But some of us want to be ourselves with our significant others even when we are out and about just like any heterosexual couple gets to do. I agree that our sexualities should be no big deal to others but sadly we aren’t there yet. And while I don’t agree with people badgering celebs to come out, those that do are not playing some “ridiculous game” they are living THEIR truth without fear and in so doing they are inspiring others as well as showing people that LGBT people really are human beings just like they are. Part of why we have come this far is because of people including celebs coming out. Harvey Milk was absolutely correct.
SonOfKings
There still is a closet, and he’s right up in, hesitant to own his identity as a gay man.
DonovanS28
The gay community is so annoying! This guy has never been in a closet, now I see why actors and celebrities don’t come out. Cause the gay communities moto is if your not out of the closet and your famous and gay, we will rip you out! Leave him alone for petes sake, go back to talking about those straight guys who aren’t gay that you fantasies about daily.
Giancarlo85
I agree donovan!
Some in the gay community try to turn themselves into the spokespersons of the community, and have clear directions on how to come out. This is what I find so repulsive. Even on this website. Shut up please. You speak only for yourselves. Everyone’s situation is different and you have no right to tell someone what they should say or how to come out, and certainly no right to tell them they are better off in the closet. Seriously disgusting hypocrisy!
dave lopes
The man was never in the closet.
He has been known to be Gay.
Saint Law
@DonovanS28: You fantasise daily about straight guys? Explains your tetchy tone.
SonOfKings
“I am gay.” Clear and concise. A simple affirmation like that will avoid the need for a complex waltz around semantics about closets and such. Can he just do that?
Tackle
Damn! Some of you Queers on here are sickening. He does NOT have to say or use the word gay. A little culture understanding for some of you: Many gay Black men do not use the word gay. Just like Ellen does not like the word Lesbian. She says that word makes her feel like she has a disease. When she came out on the cover of ” NewsWeek” , it was, yep I’m gay. Who the hell do some of these people think they are,to go around dictating, and telling adults how and what words they should use when coming out, or stating their sexuality? And him doing it after a main taping is not a cowardice act.
It’s his announcement, his career and life. He can do it anyway he feels. Ricky Martin tweeted his coming out. Others did it by YouTube and other forms of social media. Hey Queers guess what? You don’t own or control other Queers. You don’t get to decide what, how,when someone should come out.Or what words they should use. No wonder Sean Hayes said, after coming out, ” what more do you people want!”
Giancarlo85
@SonOfKings: Why the heck should he do anything you say?
Tackle, Ricky Martin actually mentioned it in a book first I believe… then tweeted it. But I don’t quite remember exactly.
dali
@NG22: Still glad he came (out)? Came out of what? It appears there never was a closet…to come out of.
jwtraveler
I couldn’t care less although@Xzamilio: you’d insist on saying “I COULD care less” just to be wron…uh…different.
Blackceo
@Tackle:
Yes!!!! Co-sign on all of that. It’s getting stupid now and is now coming down to semantics. Why do some of you need to hear the word “gay” ??? And furthermore, if everyone understood that he was acknowledging his homosexuality what the F difference does it make how he words it cuz it doesn’t suit you. Boy, bye!!!!! TAKE A STADIUM OF SEATS!!!!!!
Giancarlo85
Forget it talking to sense to some. If you don’t scream “I am gay” out in the streets back to the closet!!! And don’t come out! Seriously I wish the armchair experts would stay away from the keyboard for a while.
What gives you a fucking right to dictate what others can say or not when coming out? Ungrateful pricks. The way some talk to other gay men on here makes me sick. They do this same nonsense to fem guys (like saying they are fairies and only bottom)… Same old crap, different day. Some have the sense of pigeons. Piss them off and they take a crap on your head.
Xzamilio
@jwtraveler: Stay in your lane, bruh. Nobody’s coming at you.
gjpd
@DarkZephyr Thanks for your comments and reading my post. You have, however, missed my point. I firmly believe there is no such things as a ‘closet’ and therefore it is ridiculous to pressure people to come out of one. Jussie is out and proud.
Why the pressure to say or announce anything ?
You mention the important point about love. So vital and important to human relationships. I fully agree with you. The point here is about sexuality. I wasn’t covering the topic of love at all hence didn’t mention it. ALL human beings, no matter what sexuality, would hope to love and be free to be with any person they choose either in public or private. I fully agree with you. I think we are agreeing on this. I didn’t mention love because that isn’t the matter at hand.
The pressure on this actor was to announce his sexuality so that is the matter I addressed. I agree with his very clear point. There is no closet. Therefore nothing to come out of and nothing for this man to say. I’m with all of the commenters here who say he should be left alone to keep his private and professional life separate.
gjpd
@DarkZephyr: Thanks for your comments and reading my post. You have, however, missed my point. I firmly believe there is no such things as a ‘closet’ and therefore it is ridiculous to pressure people to come out of one. Jussie is out and proud.
Why the pressure to say or announce anything ?
You mention the important point about love. So vital and important to human relationships. I fully agree with you. The point here is about sexuality. I wasn’t covering the topic of love at all hence didn’t mention it. ALL human beings, no matter what sexuality, would hope to love and be free to be with any person they choose either in public or private. I fully agree with you. I think we are agreeing on this. I didn’t mention love because that isn’t the matter at hand.
The pressure on this actor was to announce his sexuality so that is the matter I addressed. I agree with his very clear point. There is no closet. Therefore nothing to come out of and nothing for this man to say. I’m with all of the commenters here who say he should be left alone to keep his private and professional life separate.
gjpd
@Louis: Well said.
CCTR
From the peanut gallery, “We love you Jussie, what an elegant statement on your self identity!”
“Coming out” is obviously not his thing. A nice reminder that some people don’t want to be labeled (too often labels promote and embrace stigma and stereotypes). A nice reminder also that labels are not always universal. Some identify and define as gay, some as queer, some as same gender loving and the list goes on.
Anyhows, is it important to publicly declare a label? Live life in an honest way and all the people that need to know your sexual orientation already do.
MisterDemand
he was never in the closet, i wish certain people would allow others to just live there lives
stranded
@tdh1980: Exactly.
DarkZephyr
@gjpd: I thank you for remaining cordial despite or disagreements.
I am not sure I fully understamd what you are saying when you say that there “is no closet”. I would agree that it is not a literal closet that we are in when we put on the masks we wear when we do not want people to know that we are gay. The “closet” is a metaphor for the secret that we keep. And until it truly does not matter what our sexual and romantic orientations are, it IS a secret that we keep before we let people know the truth. Because in this world, unfortunately for now, the default assumption is usually that a person is heterosexual. And for those of us who do not necessarily fit society’s notion of how heterosexuals should speak, dress and carry themselves, there will always be speculation, even among other LGBT people. This is an unfortunate reality.
And I respectfully disagree with you that “coming out of the closet” is solely about sexuality. Being gay is not just about sex, its about love, so its the whole package. That is how I feel about it. I am glad that we both agree about love to the degree that we do however. 🙂
By the way, when I read the article myself, what I got when he said “there is no closet” was that he was saying he has never denied who he is and that in his personal life he is very much out of the closet. I am not entirely certain that he meant the same thing that you mean.
That being said, I think that another thing that we can agree about is that we both admire the way that he handled this. 🙂 I don’t get the criticisms personally. I think he handled it with class and dignity.
DarkZephyr
@DarkZephyr: understand*
tusgold
First of all Ellen DeGeneris was not always on top after she came out. People forget she had a black out period,(self imposed or not) when you didn’t hear a word from her. Now she argueably has filled the gap Oprah has as far as holding an audience overr years. She talks so comfotably about her and Portia and even bought a house and sold it nd never moved in and mad $14 million.
Her show is a great place to verify support your coming out. I myself like the low key way Anderson Cooper didi it. Like it was a suprise. In LA if you are gay and want to pretend you aren’t how do you date? I guess it’s possible. Hollywood isn’t as gay loving as some think. Lance Bass said it was the worst thing he ever did and NPH became an overnight superstar hosting the Grammys and Academy Awards. It just depends on how you come out. Queen Latifa hhas never come out but anyone who does any degree of reading knows shes a lesbian.
tusgold
I think I hate the word queer much more than fag. You need to give others the freedom you are demanding. I love it when someone goes on a total rant and the pooint they are trying to make creates thier new identity as super hypocrite. This is a perfect example.
tusgold
If what you say is true how do explain the article about married gay guys who can’t or won’t change their miserable life?
n900mixalot
How did so many of us already know? He came out ages ago this is nothing new. He has worked on LGBT projects and advocated for equal rights in the past.
Anyway …
Bob LaBlah
@tusgold: “Queen Latifa hhas never come out but anyone who does any degree of reading knows shes a lesbian.”
You are correct. She is all but out. It is not unusual for her partner, who is referred to sometime in the press as just that, her partner, to be mentioned in “sightings” such as vacations. She is pretty lucky in the sense that the press treats her with respect.
Bauhaus
@tdh1980:
Great comment.
The constipation about sexual orientation many famous people have is painful to watch. Privacy (whom I’m dating, sleeping with, shagging, shacking-up with) is none of your damn business, unless I marry that person. Then, the only information you are privy to is that persons name and some basic background. Everyone is entitled to a private life, even public figures.
That being said, there’s nothing sexier and more powerful than a man owning his sexual orientation. “I’ve dated a few guys, but I haven’t found the right relationship yet.” Or, “I’m seeing a great guy right now, but I’m fiercely private about my home life. I hope you understand.” Ownership.
NG22
@dali: As in, came out to the public. He may have been out in his personal life and with his colleagues, but he wasn’t out to “Empire”s audience. When asked in interviews before, he said he didn’t discuss his personal life. I’m not saying it means he was in a closet, but I am saying that he wasn’t open about his orientation before, and he shared more here.
Kangol
If we didn’t live in a homophobic and heterosexist society Jussie’s coyness about his sexuality wouldn’t be an issue because he wouldn’t have had to be coy. He was outed by fellow Empire actor Malik Yoba–though many people already knew he was gay–and now he’s come out, sort of. Good for him.
As for “privacy,” there’s almost no such thing in our current panoptic, surveillance society. Everybody is being recorded, wiretapped, audiotaped, photographed, videotaped, etc., you name it, all the time.
Also, most “straight” celebrities trumpet whatever relationship or non-relationship they’re in, but we still call for “privacy” around LGBTQ relationships. Equality will eventually mean that such relationships get treated equally.
That said, good for Jussie. He’s one of the best reasons to watch Empire.
Tackle
I love it when people go on a small rant, and are still making no damn sense. So some Queer does not like that I use the word Queer. Well too fr@king bad. Put your big boy panties on. Ironically, you are posting on “Queerty”. If you don’t want to use the word Queer, then don’t. I’ll use it anywhere, anytime and how much I want. But I’m glad it racked your feathers and made you uncomfortable. Because that was my intent. ..
Tebn
He really is trying to say that he is straight. But he doesn’t want to bother his gay fans.
Michael (character) should come back.
Captain Obvious
This is why I was so confused as to why people were attacking Malik Yoba for supposedly “outing” Jussie who was clearly already out. He really wasn’t trying to hide it, you could tell just by paying attention to him.
Non-news, back to focusing on how amazing the show is, and the talented people behind it.
CWM85
He didn’t really come out. He never said he was gay… this is not a come out moment.