How Dramatically Different 22 Celebrities Looked Before And After They Came Out

What he said when he came out:

“The public eye has always been kind to me, and until recently I have been able to live a pretty normal life. Now it seems there is speculation and interest in my private life and relationships.

So, rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love.”

What he said when he came out: Ian came out on a BBC program when he was asked about a controversial government bill against "promoting homosexuality." When asked about his opinion of the bill I said, "It’s offensive to anyone who is - like myself - homosexual, apart from the whole business of what can and cannot be taught to children.”

What he said when he came out: "The world has changed from when I was a young teen feeling ashamed for being gay. The issue of gay marriage is now a political issue. That would have been unthinkable when I was young.”

What he said when he came out: "This is just what I need, especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed."

What he said when he came out: “I think if I had seen more people like me who are out and proud, it wouldn’t have taken me 45 years to say it."

What he said when he came out: "The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud."

What she said when she came out: Robin wrote on Facebook, "I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together." It was the first time she publicly acknowledged she was gay.

What she said when she came out: "I never wanted to be 'the lesbian actress.' I never wanted to be the spokesperson for the gay community. Ever. I did it for my own truth."

What he said when he came out: "I'm not ashamed. I'm more liberated and happy than I've been my whole life."

What she said when she came out: After marriage equality was legalized Raven said, "I was excited to hear today that more states legalized gay marriage. I, however am not currently getting married, but it is great to know I can now, should I wish to."

What he said when he came out: Tom came out in a YouTube video and said, "In Spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone, and they make me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great. That someone is a guy."

What he said when he came out: Matt thanked his partner in an acceptance speech for an award for activism. Matt said, "I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry. Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment."

What he said about coming out: "Any longstanding R.E.M. fan who had not figured out I was queer before that point wasn’t looking very hard."

What she said when she came out: Wanda came out when she attended a 2008 rally against Prop 8. She said, "When I came out, it wasn't a planned thing at all. It was a national day of protest against the passage of Prop 8. I said, 'Okay where's the rally, we are going to go to the rally.' And I did. And in my speech I said that I got married and I'm pissed."

What he said when he came out: “In light of Jamey (Rodemeyer's death) — it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it — is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality. Our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country.”

What she said when she came out: Rosie said about her Tom Cruise obsession, "I said I wanted him to mow my lawn and bring me a lemonade. I never said I wanted (to have sex with him).”

What he said when he came out: A New York Times profile mentioned that he had been in a relationship with a man for 10 years. He later said this about the interview, "I was doing an interview (in 2012) the summer after I had been in The Normal Heart on Broadway. I was doing Harvey in New York, and I was interviewed by Patrick Healy of The New York Times. I can't remember the exact question, but he asked about something to the effect of, ‘Was it more meaningful to be a part of The Normal Heart being gay?’ I said yes. I remember leaving there going, well, I sort of just took the back door out, as it were. I remember thinking it was kind of poetically perfect."

What he said when he came out: Clay came out when he had his son. He told People, "It was the first decision I made as a father. I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.”

What he said when he came out: Elton came out as bi in a interview in 1976. When he publicly came out as gay in 1988 he told everyone he waited so long to come out as gay because, as he said, "I just thought it was common knowledge."

What she said when she came out: Eddie has been talking about being trans for the past few years. He told the Hollywood Reporter he has boy mode and girl mode and is "essentially trans." At the end of 2020, Eddie announced that she is using "she/her" pronouns. When asked about it she said, "It feels great."