Colton Haynes just officially confirmed he is gay
Colton Haynes has officially confirmed that he is gay
The Arrow and Teen Wolf actor made the revelation in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The star responded to a Tumblr post he wrote in January which caused a storm of questions – and which many took to mean he was coming out as gay.
He told EW: “It was a complete shock. I wasn’t ready to be back in the headlines… I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t feel like I owed anyone anything. I think in due time, everyone has to make those decisions when they’re ready, and I wasn’t yet. But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said.”
Of coming out as gay in Hollywood, Haynes said: “People want you to be that GQ image that you put out, but people don’t realise what it’s like to act 24 hours a day. I’d go home and I was still acting.
“People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different don’t realise that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world.”
The EW article also confirmed that Haynes is gay, and that he has been out for years to family and friends.
The star was praised for his relaxed approach to questions about his sexuality on social media platform Tumblr when he posted in January.
A user on the site wrote “When I found out that Colton Haynes had a secret gay past, I got so excited even though I know it makes absolutely no difference to in my life!”
Haynes, who has previously modelled for the likes of Abercrombie and Fitch, responded: “Was it a secret? Let’s all just enjoy life & have no regrets :)”
The actor – who is immensely popular and active on a number of social media platforms – has previously refused to discuss his sexuality and love life, although fans have often speculated about it.
However, he has been an outspoken supporter of LGBT rights, sharing pictures and messages of support online of his gay brother Joshua and his husband Scott.
In a Tumblr post posted earlier on Saturday, Haynes expressed excitement about 2016, saying he “can’t wait to live a happy/healthy life this year.”
“No fear this year,” he had tweeted on New Year’s Eve. “Cheers #2016.”
The actor has previously opened up about his lifelong struggle with anxiety, which he said led to hospitalisation, unemployment, and loss of friendships.
Haynes’ fellow Arrow star John Barrowman last year said it was time for an openly gay superhero to get their own TV show.
The actor – who has a role as antihero Malcolm Merlyn in CW’s superhero drama – called for a gay hero to get a slice of the genre in some form.
When asked by the Advocate whether audiences would be ready for a gay hero, Barrowman said: “Personally, I don’t care if they are, or not. It’s time we had one.”