Celebrity 33 Celebrities Who've Opened Up About Their Sexual and Gender Identity Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Kristen Stewart and more stars have boldly spoken about their sexual identity By Maria Yagoda Maria Yagoda Maria Yagoda is a former writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2017. People Editorial Guidelines and Paris C. Paris C. Paris C. is a full-time editor based in Michigan with 12+ years of experience writing and editing entertainment, celebrity, and music news and features. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 23, 2024 05:28PM EST Close Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty There's still so much to learn about bisexuality. In a world where sexuality is becoming a more commonplace topic of conversation — both in the media and at the kitchen table — it's important to understand sexual orientations and the people who embody them are valid. Busted myths aside, bisexuality does exist; it isn't just a phase, and a person's bisexuality doesn't make them any less faithful to their partners, according to Psychology Today. Although bisexuality has long been associated with a binary concept of sexual attraction, many LGBTQ advocates have pushed to expand its definition to include other expressions of queerness and sexual fluidity. Citing bisexual activist Robyn Ochs' popular explanation, bisexuality is "the potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree." Demi Lovato, Kristen Stewart, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jason Mraz and many other celebrities have shared personal accounts about their bisexual experiences and where on the LGBTQ spectrum they see themselves. Read on to see which celebs are bi and proud. 01 of 33 Josie Totah Identifies as Transgender Mindy Kaling and Josie Totah (right). Evans Vestal Ward/NBC In a personal essay written for TIME in August 2018, Josie Totah — who starred on Mindy Kaling's comedy series Champions — revealed, "I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female." Totah, a former Disney actress, shared that throughout her childhood, people "would just assume [she] was gay," and when she entered into the entertainment industry, "people kept assuming [her] identity." "Numerous reporters have asked me in interviews how it feels to be a young gay man. I was even introduced that way before receiving an award from an LGBTQ+ rights organization. I understand that they didn't really know better," Totah wrote. "I almost felt like I owed it to everybody to be that gay boy. But that has never been the way I think of myself." 02 of 33 Jason Mraz Identifies as Two-Spirit Jason Mraz. Jen Rosenstein Atlantic Records The "I'm Yours" singer revealed to Billboard that his wife, Christina Carano, helped him embrace his sexual identity, which he explored during their relationship. "I've had experiences with men, even while I was dating the woman who became my wife," he said in July 2018. The Waitress alumnus continued, "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." 03 of 33 Brendon Urie Identifies as Pansexual Brendon Urie. The former Panic! at the Disco frontman came out as pansexual in July 2018. "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." He added, "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." 04 of 33 Amandla Stenberg Identifies as Gay Amandla Stenberg attends 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards. Steve Granitz/WireImage Bodies Bodies Bodies star Amandla Stenberg proudly came out as gay in June 2018. "I was so overcome with this profound sense of relief when I realized that I'm gay — not bi, not pan, but gay — with a romantic love for women," Stenberg told Wonderland. magazine. She added, "I was flooded with a sense of calm and peace because everything that I struggled with or felt discomfort around finally made sense to me, and once those floodgates opened and years of pent-up pain and shame were released, I found the freedom to live my best life waiting for me just underneath." 05 of 33 Rita Ora Identifies as Bisexual Rita Ora attends 90th Academy Awards. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock In May 2018, Rita Ora posted a heartfelt message on Twitter explaining the inspiration behind her song "Girls," which features Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX. "Girls was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life," Ora wrote. "I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey." 06 of 33 Janelle Monáe Identifies as Queer Janelle Monae. Taylor Hill/Getty Janelle Monáe opened up in 2018 about what it's like "being a Black queer woman in America" and why she doesn't identify as bisexual. "Being a Black queer woman in America … someone who has been in relationships with both men and women — I consider myself to be a free-ass motherf-----," The Age of Pleasure singer told Rolling Stone. While the Glass Onion star added that she used to identify as bisexual, she said that changed after reading "about pansexuality." "I was like, 'Oh, these are things that I identify with too.' I'm open to learning more about myself," she added. 07 of 33 Kehlani Identifies as Queer Kehlani at the 2016 MTV Woodies. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images After kissing Lovato onstage at a concert in 2018, fans bombarded Kehlani — who uses non-binary pronouns — with questions about their sexuality. The singer responded in a series of now-deleted tweets, writing: "Cuz i keep geddin asked.. 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." They added: "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." After fans called the "Honey" singer out for deleting their first tweet, they apologized for inadvertently offending people, 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." However, in 2021, Kehlani came out as lesbian in a since-deleted video posted on TikTok. "I finally know I'm a lesbian," and "I am gay, g-gay, gay," they said. 08 of 33 Antoni Porowski Identifies as Sexually Fluid Antoni Porowksi. Gay Times The Queer Eye food and wine specialist opened up to Gay Times in 2018 about rebelling against binary labels. "So even being called bisexual… I remember, in my early 20s, I was like, 'But bisexual means I can only like girls and guys; what if I like something else?' " Porowski said. "Maybe it's just my rebellious nature. I'm me, I'm Antoni, and I'm all these things." He added, "Some people want to define themselves, and they should, as it's part of their identity. For me personally, I've never really had a label for myself." 09 of 33 Alyson Stoner Identifies as Queer Alyson Stoner. Emma McIntyre/Getty In March 2018, the former Disney Channel and Step Up star wrote a powerful and moving essay for Teen Vogue about struggling to embrace their sexuality after falling in love with a woman for the first time. "In its purest sense, I felt awakened, more compassionate, and like my truest self," Stoner wrote of meeting a female dance instructor for whom they developed feelings. "She strengthened and inspired me, creating a space for me to discover myself without judgment ... We were an example of true love." 10 of 33 Shannon Purser Identifies as Bisexual Shannon Purser. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty In April 2017, Shannon Purser admitted having anxiety about her sexuality and shared with fans a few lessons she wishes she had learned growing up. "Getting comfortable with your sexuality is a process. It's going to be ok. I wish I'd known that sooner," the Stranger Things star wrote in a series of now-deleted tweets. Purser continued, "Another thing I wish I'd known about sexuality is to take it slow. It can define you as much as you want it to. Either way, I know what it's like to have anxiety about it. Especially trying to come to terms with it and my faith. It can be really scary." A week after opening up to fans, Purser came out as bisexual on Twitter. "I don't normally do this, but I figure now is as good a time as any to get personal. I've only just recently come out as bisexual to my family and friends," she wrote in a since-deleted tweet. The Riverdale actress added, "It's something I am still processing and trying to understand, and I don't like talking about it too much. I'm very very new to the LGBT community." 11 of 33 Barry Manilow Identifies as Gay Barry Manilow (right) and Garry Kief. Martin Schoeller In April 2017, Barry Manilow opened up to PEOPLE about his one-year marriage to his high school sweetheart — and his surprising coming out in 2015. Concerning how his female fans would react, Manilow said, "I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything." "When they found out that [manager and husband Garry Kief] and I were together, they were so happy," Manilow recalled. "The reaction was so beautiful — strangers commenting, 'Great for you!' I'm just so grateful for it." 12 of 33 Daniel Newman Identifies as Bisexual Daniel Newman at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Speaking of his decision to come out, Daniel Newman told PEOPLE in 2017: "It's fine to keep your private life private if it doesn't affect anybody, but when there's all these kids out there that are still needing remodels and needing people to look to to know that they're not alone. Being open and public about it will help so many people. It's just so essential." The Walking Dead star continued, "Even though I felt before that I couldn't talk about my private life, I was like, 'You know what, this is something that everyone should be comfortable with, being 100 percent themselves and authentic.' " 13 of 33 Amber Heard Identifies as Bisexual Amber Heard. Mike Marsland/WireImage "When I hear someone comment about me coming out, I think it's funny because I was never in," Amber Heard said at The Economist's 2017 Pride & Prejudice Summit in New York City. She added, "I was always out. I was an activist. I went to protests. I refused to not bring my partner at the time, but no one ever asked me about it." The actress said it wasn't until she revealed who her partner was to a reporter at a red carpet event that she saw she was attached to a label. "I watched as I quickly became not actress Amber Heard, but out lesbian Amber Heard. It did impact my career; it was difficult. It was not easy," she said. When some directors questioned whether she could convincingly play a straight woman in a romantic lead role, Heard said, "I rolled my eyes at that. And I said, 'Watch me do it.' " 14 of 33 Katy Perry Identifies as Sexually Fluid Katy Perry attends the 2017 Human Rights Campaign. Todd Williamson/Getty While accepting the National Equality Award at the 2017 Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Gala, Katy Perry opened up about coming to terms with her queer experiences after being raised in a religious environment where "homosexuality was synonymous with the word 'abomination.' " "Truth be told, I did more than that!" she said, referring to her 2008 hit "I Kissed a Girl." Perry continued, "But how was I going to reconcile that with the gospel-singing girl raised in youth groups that were pro-conversion camps? What I did know was that I was curious, and even then, I knew that sexuality was not as black and white as this dress. But in 2008, when that song came out, I knew that it started a conversation that a lot of the world seemed curious enough to sing along to it." Perry then recounted how she went from praying "the gay away" at Jesus camps to meeting "people outside of [her] bubble" that helped change her outlook on the rigid sexual codes of her childhood. "These people were nothing like I had been taught to fear. They were the most free, strong, kind, and inclusive people that I have ever met," she said. "They stimulated my mind, and they filled my heart with joy, and they danced with joy while doing it. These people are actually magic, and they are magic because they are living their truth." 15 of 33 Sara Ramirez Identifies as Bisexual Sara Ramirez. Justin Baker/Getty Speaking at the 40 to None Summit in 2016, Sara Ramirez shared a message in support of LGBTQ youth — and, for the first time, came out publicly as bisexual. "So many of our youth experiencing homelessness are youth whose lives touch on many intersections — whether they be gender identity, gender expression, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status," the former Grey's Anatomy star said. They continued, "And, because of the intersections that exist in my own life: Woman, multi-racial woman, woman of color, queer, bisexual, Mexican-Irish American, immigrant, and raised by families heavily rooted in Catholicism on both my Mexican & Irish sides, I am deeply invested in projects that allow our youth's voices to be heard, and that support our youth in owning their own complex narratives so that we can show up for them in the ways they need us to." Ramirez, who depicts the character Che Diaz on Max's And Just Like That…, came out as non-binary in 2021 and uses they/them pronouns. 16 of 33 Kristen Stewart Identifies as Bisexual Kristen Stewart. George Pimentel/WireImage "When I was dating a guy, I was hiding everything that I did because everything personal felt like it was immediately trivialized, so I didn't like it," Stewart told Elle UK in July 2016. The Spencer actress continued, "We were turned into these characters and placed into this ridiculous comic book, and I was like, 'That's mine. You're making my relationship something that it's not.' I didn't like that. But then it changed when I started dating a girl. I was like, 'Actually, to hide this provides the implication that I'm not down with it or I'm ashamed of it, so I had to alter how I approached being in public. It opened my life up, and I'm so much happier." In 2019, Stewart opened up about pressure of placing a label on her sexuality, telling the Associated Press, "I felt this huge responsibility, like one that I was really genuinely worried about if I wasn't able to say one way or the other, then was I sort of like forsaking a side." "The fact that you don’t have to now is, like, so much more truthful," she added. 17 of 33 Evan Rachel Wood Identifies as Bisexual Evan Rachel Wood. Sonia Recchia/WireImage "I think because we're usually erased, people just don't have the information. There's so many negative connotations with that label," Evan Rachel Wood told TIME in July 2016 of people's misconceptions of bisexuality. The Thirteen actress continued, "I understand the argument about labels and the desire to do away with them altogether. I think that's a great idea. But before that, we have to give people a chance to identify with somebody or a group in some way. That helped me. It's so confusing, especially when there's not a lot of information out there." She added, "Erasure is causing people harm and diminishing self-esteem and putting people in harm's way. It's a real need. I want people to know that it's okay, [bisexuality] is valid, and their stories matter." 18 of 33 Aubrey Plaza Identifies as Bisexual Aubrey Plaza. JB Lacroix/WireImage Aubrey Plaza opened up about her sexuality in a 2016 interview with The Advocate, saying, "I know I have an androgynous thing going on, and there's something masculine about my energy." When asked if women had ever "come on" to her, The White Lotus actress said, "Girls are into me — that's no secret. Hey, I'm into them too. I fall in love with girls and guys. I can't help it." 19 of 33 Sarah Paulson Identifies as Sexually Fluid Sarah Paulson. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP "I've always walked to the beat of my own drum," actress Sarah Paulson told PEOPLE in March 2016 of her inherent independent nature — particularly regarding her dating life. "If my life choices had to be predicated based on what was expected of me from a community on either side, that's going to make me feel really straitjacketed, and I don't want to feel that," the American Horror Story alum told The New York Times that same month. "What I can say absolutely is that I am in love, and that person happens to be Holland Taylor." 20 of 33 Colton Haynes Identifies as Gay Colton Haynes. Joe Scarnici/Getty In January 2020, Colton Haynes addressed a fan's Tumblr post alluding to his "secret gay past," to which he responded, "Was it a secret? Let's all just enjoy life and have no regrets." "It took me so long to get to this point, but I'm doing so good. I'm happier than I've ever been, and healthier than I've ever been, and that's what I care about," the Arrow actor told Entertainment Weekly in 2016 about coming to terms with his sexuality. 21 of 33 Demi Lovato Identifies as Sexually Fluid Demi Lovato. Timothy Hiatt/Getty "I am not confirming, and I'm definitely not denying," Lovato said of the sexual implications behind her song "Cool for the Summer" during a 2015 appearance on Alan Carr's Chatty Man show. She added, "All my songs are based off of personal experiences. I don't think there's anything wrong with experimentation at all." During a 2021 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Lovato — who re-adopted she/her pronouns in 2023 — said that she's attracted to "anything really" and confirmed that the term "pansexual" appropriately described her sexuality. "I don't know. I'm so fluid now, and a part of the reason why I am so fluid is because I was super closeted off," she said. 22 of 33 Miley Cyrus Identifies as Pansexual Miley Cyrus. Kevin Mazur/WireImage "I'm very open about it — I'm pansexual," Miley Cyrus told Variety in October 2016 for the magazine's "Power of Women" issue. "But I'm not in a relationship. I'm 22, I'm going on dates, but I change my style every two weeks, let alone who I'm with." 23 of 33 Anna Paquin Identifies as Bisexual Anna Paquin. Barry King/FilmMagic "Proud to be a happily married bisexual mother. Marriage is about love, not gender," Anna Paquin shared on Twitter in June 2014. Paquin previously announced her bisexuality in a public service announcement video titled "Give a Damn" before her 2010 marriage to True Blood costar Stephen Moyer. The PSA also featured celebrities like Wanda Sykes, Cynthia Nixon, Elton John and Mraz speaking out for LGBTQ equality. The Oscar-winning actress and mother of fraternal twins Charlie and Poppy once told Zooey magazine in 2012, per HuffPost, "I'm sure for some people saying they're bisexual feels less scary than making a statement that they're gay. For me, it's not really an issue because I'm someone who believes being bisexual is actually a thing. It's not made up. It's not a lack of decision." She continued, "It's not being greedy or numerous other ignorant things I've heard at this point. For a bisexual, it's not about gender. That's not the deciding factor for who they're attracted to." 24 of 33 Shailene Woodley Identifies as Bisexual Shailene Woodley. INF "I fall in love with human beings based on who they are, not based on what they do or what sex they are," Divergent star Shailene Woodley told The Hollywood Reporter in March 2014. 25 of 33 Megan Fox Identifies as Bisexual Megan Fox. David Livingston/Getty "I think people are born bisexual and then make subconscious choices based on the pressures of society," Megan Fox told Esquire in 2011. "I have no question in my mind about being bisexual." 26 of 33 Billie Joe Armstrong Identifies as Bisexual Billie Joe Armstrong. C Flanigan/Getty In a January 1995 interview, Armstrong told The Advocate: "I think I've always been bisexual. I mean, it's something that I've always been interested in." "I think people are born bisexual, and it's just that our parents and society kind of veer us off into this feeling of 'Oh, I can't.' They say it's taboo," the Green Day musician added. "It's ingrained in our heads that it's bad, when it's not bad at all. It's a very beautiful thing." 27 of 33 Megan Mullally Identifies as Bisexual Megan Mullally. Richard Young/Startraks "I said that I thought that everybody is innately bisexual," Megan Mullally told Queerty in a March 2009 interview. The Will & Grace actress added, "I think there are different levels of awareness attached to that, so I may believe that everybody is innately bisexual, but somebody who is very homophobic may not see that quality in themselves in any way, shape or form." 28 of 33 Kesha Identifies as Pansexual Kesha. Alexander Tuma/Startraks In a now-deleted Instagram post shared in 2022, Kesha seemingly hinted at being pansexual, revealing that she loves who she loves — regardless of gender. "I'm not gay. I'm not straight," the singer wrote. "I don't know what I am. I love people. I love people because we are all our own little consciousness journeys, dancing around the sun ☀️." 29 of 33 Dove Cameron Identifies as Queer Eugene Gologursky/Getty "I wasn't ever afraid of people knowing who I loved," Dove Cameron told E! News in June 2022 about coming out as queer. "More so, I was afraid of people having access to the human parts of me in an industry that can be so anti-human," the actress added. "That was definitely an emotional thing, but it turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Mentally, I'm so much better now." 30 of 33 Keiynan Lonsdale Identifies as Queer Keiynan Lonsdale. Keiynan Lonsdale recalled the moment he began to embrace his LGBTQ identity. "I didn't fully accept my queerness until I was in my 20s, when I got my first therapist," he told Them in 2020. "She helped me come to terms with it." The Love, Simon actor continued, "Two months after that, I was having a party at my house, and I found my two friends that knew about my sexuality and just randomly said, 'I'm going to tell everyone right now. I don't know why. I just want to,' So I came out to the party. I just told them, 'Yeah, all those rumors are true.' " "Everyone was great. Everyone supported me. I felt amazing, just really light and happy," he added. 31 of 33 Lauren Jauregui Identifies as Bisexual Jerritt Clark/Getty Lauren Jauregui came out as bisexual in a 2016 open letter for Billboard denouncing Donald Trump's supporters following his election win. "I am a bisexual Cuban-American woman, and I am so proud of it," the former Fifth Harmony singer wrote. "I am proud to be part of a community that only projects love and education and the support of one another." 32 of 33 Lili Reinhart Identifies as Bisexual Emma McIntyre/Getty During a 2020 interview with Flaunt magazine, Lili Reinhart put the rumors of her pretending to be LGBTQ to rest by confirming she is bisexual — and has never hidden her attraction to women. "I knew full well that I was attracted to women from a young age," the Riverdale actress said, per Entertainment Tonight. "I felt that since I've exclusively been in hetero-normative relationships, it would be too easy for any outsider, especially the media, to vilify me and accuse me of faking it to get attention." She added, "That's not something I wanted to deal with. But to my close friends and those in my life, my bisexuality has been no secret." 33 of 33 Kali Uchis Identifies as Bisexual Mindy Small/Getty Kali Uchis' bisexuality has never been up for question, and she affirmed as much in a candid interview in January 2021. "I've been bisexual my whole life," the "See You Again" songbird told The Day. "People are constantly trying to find something to invalidate. I want more people in the Latin community to feel like they can express themselves freely and not have to confine themselves."