In 2018, celebrities felt more comfortable than ever coming out about their sexuality. Many stars publicly revealed they were gay, bisexual, pansexual or transgender and opened up about it on social media and in interviews. Wonderwall.com is taking a look at the noteworthy individuals who came out this year, starting with singer Janelle Monae. In April, the singer-actress spoke about her sexuality during an interview with Rolling Stone. "Being a queer black woman in America … someone who has been in relationships with both men and women — I consider myself to be a free-ass motherf—er." She first thought of herself as bisexual then realized this wasn't her true self. "I read about pansexuality and was like, 'Oh, these are things that I identify with too.' I'm open to learning more about who I am." Keep reading for more stars who spoke their truth this year…
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Kevin McHale had long avoided talking about his sexuality, as it was a big topic of discussion during his "Glee" days. However in May, he addressed rumors head-on in an interview with celebrity journalist Marc Malkin, which was done after the actor sparked headlines for posting a photo of himself cuddled up with actor Austin McKenzie. "I think there was zero surprise. People knew," Kevin said. "It's better out than not."
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During a July Q&A on her Instagram Story, a fan asked Paris Jackson, "Are you bi?" The model-musician daughter of the late Michael Jackson responded, "that's what you guys call it so i guess but who needs labels." A few days later, she addressed widespread media reports about her post, revealing that she came out at 14 and considers herself to be a part of the LGBTQ community. Paris reiterated that she doesn't want to identify herself with any specific word. "I'm not 'bisexual.' I just love people for people," she wrote. "I don't label myself so please don't label me. Thank you!"
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In June, "The Hate U Give" and "The Hunger Games" actress Amandla Stenberg posted on Instagram about an interview she had done with Wonderland Magazine. "So happy to say the words Yep, I'm Gay in official print," the actress wrote. "We talk about gay sobbing, first encounters with lesbian masturbation, queer icons, Toni Morrison, disillusionment as a critical step, the art I've been working on, and the films that I have coming out this year."
Michael C. Hall revealed in November that he takes a very fluid approach to his sexuality. Though he's been married to three women including current wife Morgan Macgregor, the "Dexter" and "Six Feet Under" actor feels he's not 100 percent straight. "I think there's a spectrum," he told the Daily Beast. "I am on it. I'm heterosexual. But if there was a percentage, I would say I was not all the way heterosexual." Still, Michael said that he's never had an "intimate relationship" with a man. Rather, he just maintains an open mind when it comes to his thoughts on intimacy. "I think I have always leaned into any fluidity in terms of my sexuality," he explained.
Josie Totah was 17 when came out as a transgender girl in an essay for Time magazine in August . Josie — best known for her work on "Champions" and the Disney Channel's "Jessie," where she was known as J.J. Totah — explained that she's always been pegged as "J.J. Totah, gay boy… People kept assuming my identity." She finally felt ready to speak her truth publicly after making the decision to start hormone replacement therapy at age 14, which helped her, slowly but surely, grow more confident. "My pronouns are she, her and hers," she wrote. "I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. And my name is Josie Totah."
Ronan Farrow, the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, made headlines numerous times in the past year for his journalistic takedowns as they related to the #MeToo movement. But he made headlines of his own back in April when he announced he was part of the LGBTQ community as he accepted the Point Courage award. "Being a part of the LGBT community, which recognized that reporting I was doing early on and elevated it, and has been such a stalwart source of support through the sexual assault reporting I did involving survivors who felt equally invisible — that has been an incredible source of strength for me," he said. "LGBT people are some of the bravest and most potent change agents and leaders I have encountered, and the most forceful defenders of the vulnerable and voiceless, because they know what it's like to be there."
In an April interview with Vanity Fair, "Broad City" actress Abbi Jacobson came out as bisexual. "I kind of go both ways; I date men and women," she admitted. "They have to be funny, doing something they love. I don't know — I've never really been interviewed about this before."
In May, Rita Ora released a song with Charlie XCX, Cardi B and Bebe Rexha called "Girls," which features the bi-curious line in the chorus, "Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls." The British singer defended herself against haters who criticized the song, tweeting, "'Girls' was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life. I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey."
In July, musician Jason Mraz opened up about his past sexual experiences during an interview with Billboard. "I've had experiences with men, even while I was dating the woman who became my wife," he shared. "It was like, 'Wow, does that mean I am gay?' And my wife laid it out for me. She calls it 'two spirit,' which is what the Native Americans call someone who can love both man and woman. I really like that."
In June, "Thor: Ragnarok" and "Westworld" actress Tessa Thompson's interview with Porter Magazine hit the internet. In it, she discussed her sexuality. "I can take things for granted because of my family — it's so free and you can be anything that you want to be. I'm attracted to men and also to women. If I bring a woman home, [or] a man, we don't even have to have the discussion," she explained.
Actor Lee Pace, who's perhaps best known for his work in the "The Hobbit" film franchise and "Guardians of the Galaxy," publicly came out as "a member of the queer community" in a series of tweets in March. The "Halt and Catch Fire" star spoke out following an interview with W that left him irked after the reporter questioned him about his sexuality. "I've dated men. I've dated women. I don't know why anyone would care. I'm an actor and I play roles. To be honest, I don't know what to say — I find your question intrusive," he told the mag. Lee then took to Twitter to explain why he reacted that way. "My privacy is important to me, so I protect it. When interviewed by the media, I keep the focus on my work," he wrote. "As a member of the queer community, I understand the importance of living openly, being counted, and happily owning who I am. That's how I've always lived my life… just as it's been important to me to portray queer characters with dignity for my entire career: A Soldier's Girl (Showtime. 2003). The Normal Heart (Broadway. 2011). Halt and Catch Fire (AMC. 2014-2017). Angels in America. (Broadway. NOW.) Onward, with Pride."
In July, Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendon Urie came out as pansexual, which means he's attracted to people regardless of their gender. "I'm married to a woman and I'm very much in love with her but I'm not opposed to a man because to me, I like a person," he told Paper magazine. "Yeah I guess you could qualify me as pansexual because I really don't care. If a person is great, then a person is great. I just like good people, if your heart's in the right place. I'm definitely attracted to men. It's just people that I am attracted to."
In June, Cardi B's sister, social media and reality TV personality Hennessy Carolina, came out in an Instagram post. "If you can't accept the B In (L)LGBTQ.. (L)lesbian (G)ay (B)BISEXUAL (T)transgender (Q)ueer, then please don't speak up for the community if you can't fully understand ALL of us!" she wrote. "We don't like to be the judge or to be labeled! We just want be [accepted] for who we are… Love is love! That being said HAPPY GAY PRIDE MONTH FROM ME AND MY WIFE."
Alyson Stoner, who rose to fame as a dancer in Missy Elliott's "Work It" video, appeared on several Disney Channel shows and performed in "Step Up," discussed her sexuality in an essay she penned for Teen Vogue that was published in March. "I, Alyson, am attracted to men, women, and people who identify in other ways. I can love people of every gender identity and expression," she wrote. "It is the soul that captivates me. It is the love we can build and the goodness we can contribute to the world by supporting each other's best journeys."
"Teen Beach Movie" and "The Fosters" actor Garrett Clayton publicly came out in an August Instagram post. He brought up his sexuality while writing about his movie "Reach" — a high school dramedy that explores topics including suicide and bullying — and revealed he's in a long-term relationship with another man. "I thought it was important to explain why I took on this project in the first place," Garrett wrote. "REACH deals with some very serious and timely topics that have affected me personally, and have likely influenced many of your lives as well." He explained that he wanted to be involved with the film because he and "the man I've been in a relationship with for a long time" had dealt with some of the themes it explores. Garrett tagged his boyfriend, writer Blake Knight, in his post.
In October, Daya celebrated her first National Coming Out Day on Instagram. "All i gotta say is follow your gut and don't feel like you owe any sort of explanation to anyone. your sexuality is yours only so build with it at a pace that works for you. i'm proud to be a bisexual member of the LGBTQ community with a girl i love who makes me feel more like me every day," she wrote. "The support has been beyond and though it wasn't always easy i also recognize how privileged i am to have had so much of it, so i especially wanna be there for those of u who aren't surrounded by the most accepting family/friends/communities."
"Love, Simon" actor Joey Pollari came out publicly in March but has been out to family and friends since he was 18. In an interview with The Advocate, the actor compared his own coming out story to Simon's in the film. "The only part that was difficult was me coming out to myself. And I think that is the most difficult coming out," he shared, adding that his supportive mother had been "waiting for a very, very long time" to hear him admit this. "My mom knew. She laid hints for me everywhere."
After the song "Girls" came out, Bebe Rexha also came forward to make a statement about her sexuality. On a May episode of the podcast "The Dan Wootton Interview," she shared, "At the end of the day love is love and I don't think it should be labelled any which way. I've never looked at it like that in my life. It's whether someone makes you feel something in your tummy or not," she said after saying she could imagine herself with a man or a woman. "I think that's how my parents raised me, everyone's equal and you can just love who you want and be fluid. And then sometimes when you travel around the world you see certain things about how people view sexuality and it sucks."
"The Miseducation of Cameron Post" actress Sasha Lane came out while promoting her film during the Sundance Film Festival in January. During a press conference, the actress revealed that she's gay while talking about her home life, explaining that she grew up with a brother who is also gay.
While engaging with fans on Twitter in April, singer Kehlani opened up about her sexual identity. "I'm queer. Not bi, not straight. I'm attracted to women, men, REALLY attracted to queer men, non binary people, intersex people, trans people," she wrote, adding, "Lil poly pansexual papa hello good morning. Does that answer your questions?" She continued, "And since we on that… I'm the LEAST attracted to straight men, y'all really adorable sometimes tho. Bisexual men really are little gifts from god tho." When asked why she prefers the word queer to gay when describing herself, she clarified, "I felt gay always insisted there was still a line drawn as to which 'label' of human I was attracted when I really jus be walking around thinking ERRYBODY FINE." She later deleted some of her comments, explaining, "I retracted my queer tweet because i am being corrected about the way in which i listed the gender spectrum and i'm super super sensitive to being offensive especially when i'm only trying to appreciate. point is, i love love, and that love lies in every gender there is."