America’s Next Top Model star says it’s OK for women to be bisexual but not men

Victoria’s Secret runway model and one-time America’s Next Top Model judge Jessica White has shared her controversial take on bisexuality, stating that bisexual men are less acceptable than bisexual women.

In an interview with TMZ on 4 March, the model and Famously Single star was asked to name something that’s acceptable “when a girl does it” but “an ick” when men do it.

She offered up “baby talk” as her first response, before putting her thoughts about bisexuality on the table.

“I would also say it’s always OK for a girl to kind of be bi, but if a man does it…” she said, trailing off and laughing. 

Asked to expand on her opinion, the 41-year-old said: “Double standards exist for all of us, right? But women have an ability to have more freedom to explore their sexuality, I believe.”

On social media, her remarks have been met with a divided response, with some arguing that of course it’s OK for men to be bisexual, and others standing with White’s statement.

“People can do what they want, you don’t have to like it,” one person commented on an Instagram video of the interview.

“Lol see this is how y’all end up with men on the DL [down low]. They should be able to explore & have freedom with their sexuality the same way women can with no judgement imo [in my opinion],” another agreed.

“Super ok for men to be bi,” wrote a third.

Others, sadly, let their apparent biphobia run wild.

“Yes I agree ain’t no such thing as bi for men,” one commenter posted, with another writing: “A bi-sexual [sic] man is a gay man.”

“No such thing as a bisexual man lol don’t come for me,” one Instagram user wrote.

Bisexual erasure is a common issue both inside and outside of the LGBTQ+ community, with many bisexual people facing stigma, discrimination, and poor mental health as a result.

Despite common assumptions and misconceptions, bisexual people are not automatically promiscuous, “greedy”, or more likely to cheat on their partner. 

“It’s a myth that all bisexual people are promiscuous. The reality is that bisexual people could fall anywhere on the sexuality spectrum, from asexual or biromantic (have little to no sexual attraction to others, at all) to very sexual and physical,” explains LGBTQ+ charity The Trevor Project in its ‘Understanding Bisexuality’ guide.

“Also, just because someone is attracted to men and women does not mean they will be unfaithful to their partner, and or be with both men and women at all times.”

Bisexual Awareness Week takes place every September, and is focussed on busting myths and misconceptions around the bisexual community.

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