Actress Cassandra Peterson–best known as her character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark–has opened up about the fallout after coming out as queer last year. The actress has also revealed that she lost one, particular demographic of fans…and that she really doesn’t care.
Speaking with the podcast Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef, Peterson recalled the worldwide reaction to the publication of her memoir Yours Cruelly, Elvira, in which she revealed that she’d been in a 20-year relationship with a woman. According to Peterson, the revelation sent her fanbase into shock.
“The thing that came out that flipped everybody out was that I was with a woman,” Peterson says. “Nobody was ready for that. Apparently, we kept it a pretty good damn secret because nobody knew. Everybody was surprised. Now, our closest friends and our relatives knew. But outside a very small circle of people, even my second-tier group of friends who I’ve known for a long time did not know. It was shocking for me.”
Related: Cassandra Peterson, the gay icon that came out as part of the family
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When it came to the backlash, Peterson cared most about the reaction of one core demographic of her audience: her queer fans.
“Honestly, I worried more about my gay fan base,” Peterson explained. “Because I hope they embraced it, but I was feeling like: ‘What if they think I’m a big fat hypocrite, and I was lying to them?’”
“Now, the straight people,” she further elaborated, “I knew that there was going to be some horny old men out there who were just not going to like the fact that they didn’t have a chance with me anymore. I hate to tell them: they already didn’t have a chance with me anyway. It’s funny. One of the things that happened on my social media–I won’t say which platform–one day after the book came out I lost 11,000 people. They just said ‘Elvira, you lied to me. I don’t respect you anymore. Goodbye.’ But I got 60,000 new followers the same day.”
“I know it was mostly just straight, older guys who felt lied to,” Peterson said of the backlash. “You can’t please everybody!”
Peterson went on to say that she believed homophobia played a role in the backlash as well.
The publication of Yours Cruelly, Elvira made headlines in September 2021 thanks to Peterson’s candid discussions of her life in show business, the details of her first marriage, and her coming out as queer. Peterson revealed that her partner of almost 20 years is her longtime assistant Teresa “T” Wierson. In the book, Peterson also explained that she kept the relationship secret to both protect the Elvira brand, and to respect T’s privacy.
cuteguy
The lost followers were most likely those fat inbred trailer park trash from the so called Bible Belt. Good for her and her coming out. Of course the hypocritical religious cult who preach “family values” are upset that someone is happy in her life and has found a solid partner. Elvira will now be a hero to ppl that matter. Not loser MAGA supporters who support the Jan 6 insurrection.
Paris in Santiago
Love what you posted! Absolutely correct!
Mr. Stadnick
You would think horny old men would get off on her in a lesbian scene in their mental wank banks.
DarkZephyr
I’m sure some are. I truly doubt that she lost ALL of her older straight male fans.
lou lou de la falaise
I loved her book!
ScottOnEarth
I couldn’t love Cassandra any more than I already do….but I still loved her more when she told the world that she been in a relationship with another women for two decades. No “look at me!” grabs for attention but just letting the world know her reality. She’s a wonderful, beautiful and hilarious actress and her real fans will never falter.
Kevan1
Always loved her, and still do. It is so sad that she had to worry about her personal life being an issue. She did not owe it to anyone to come out, but she did. I am sure that there are some people out there it helped. Those who dropped her, their loss our gain. Plus she got 60,000 followers after losing 11,000. Enough said.
winemaker
This reminds me of an old adage I’d heard from my mother years ago: You can’t please everybody so don’t waste valuable time and energy trying. You are the only one who can please yourself and your true friends are pleased with you the way you are. No truer words were ever spoken
Huron132
I read her book and I want to say that I already loved her. But now after her book dang girl you sure had a life! Good for you! Thank you for always making me smile. The people who haven’t read her book. GO! GO as fast as you can to read it. She is my hero!