Most Famous Actresses who Came Out as LGBTQ+
Celebrities speaking openly about their identities have helped many fans feel seen, and actresses are a big part of that cultural shift. Over time, a growing number have shared their truths—sometimes in splashy speeches, sometimes with a simple social post—and continued building careers across film and television without missing a beat.
Below is a friendly, fact-packed look at some of the most recognizable actresses who have publicly come out as LGBTQ+. For each, you’ll find when and how they shared their identity, plus a quick snapshot of their career highlights that fans might know and love.
Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster publicly acknowledged her sexuality during a Golden Globes speech in 2013, after years of preferring privacy. She later married photographer Alexandra Hedison and has spoken about the importance of protecting family life while navigating Hollywood attention.
Across a decades-long career, Foster has earned multiple Academy Awards and directed as well as starred in projects ranging from ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Taxi Driver’ to the series ‘True Detective’. She continues to balance acting and directing while selectively choosing high-profile roles.
Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart openly discussed dating women in interviews around the mid-2010s and casually declared “I’m so gay” during a ‘Saturday Night Live’ monologue in 2017. She has since described herself with terms like gay and queer and has been candid about visibility in the industry.
Stewart moved from international franchise fame in ‘Twilight’ to acclaimed performances in films like ‘Spencer’ and ‘Personal Shopper’, and she has also stepped behind the camera. Her choices span indie dramas, thrillers, and mainstream projects, solidifying a versatile post-franchise career.
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson has long been open about same-sex relationships, including with actress Holland Taylor. She has spoken thoughtfully about public interest in her personal life, emphasizing autonomy and support for LGBTQ+ visibility.
Paulson is a frequent collaborator with Ryan Murphy, earning praise for roles in ‘American Horror Story’, ‘American Crime Story’, and ‘Ratched’. She moves seamlessly between television and film, known for transformative performances and awards-recognized work.
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon publicly acknowledged her relationship with education activist Christine Marinoni in the late 2000s and later married her. She has described herself as queer and has been active in advocacy and politics alongside her screen work.
Best known worldwide as Miranda Hobbes from ‘Sex and the City’, Nixon has also had an extensive stage career and appeared in projects such as ‘And Just Like That…’ and ‘Ratched’. Her résumé spans television, film, and Tony-winning theater performances.
Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson revealed her relationship with fashion designer Ramona Agruma in 2022, sharing the news on Instagram. She later celebrated the birth of her daughter via surrogate and has discussed family life and health in the public eye.
Wilson’s breakout came with ‘Pitch Perfect’, followed by star turns in comedies and rom-coms like ‘Isn’t It Romantic’. She has added producing and hosting to her repertoire, continuing to headline studio projects and reality formats.
Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes came out publicly in 2008 while speaking at a rally opposing California’s Proposition 8. She later married her wife, Alex Niedbalski, and has often integrated life experiences into her stand-up and scripted work.
An Emmy-winning writer and performer, Sykes has acted in series such as ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’ and ‘Black-ish’, and she co-created the comedy ‘The Upshaws’. She remains a fixture in stand-up specials and voice roles while touring and producing.
Lily Tomlin
Lily Tomlin was widely known as LGBTQ+ within entertainment circles for years, and she publicly discussed her relationship more openly in the 2000s. She married writer-director Jane Wagner, her longtime creative partner, and continues to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Tomlin’s career stretches from sketch comedy to acclaimed roles in projects like ‘Grace and Frankie’ and the film ‘Nashville’. She has earned multiple Emmys, a Grammy, and a Tony, and she remains a beloved presence on stage and screen.
Maria Bello
Maria Bello came out in a 2013 New York Times essay reflecting on love and family. She has since written and spoken about labels, acceptance, and the evolving understanding of identity.
Bello’s film and TV credits include ‘A History of Violence’, ‘Prisoners’, and ‘ER’, along with a multi-season run on ‘NCIS’. She also writes and produces, supporting initiatives focused on storytelling and social impact.
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson discussed her attraction to people regardless of gender in interviews in the late 2010s, describing herself in ways that embrace fluidity. She has emphasized privacy while affirming support for inclusive representation.
Thompson balances major franchises and auteur projects, from ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ to ‘Creed’ and ‘Passing’. On television, she starred in ‘Westworld’, and she continues to champion inclusive casting and stories on and off screen.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne publicly discussed being bisexual earlier in her career and has later used terms like pansexual and queer. She has shared experiences with mental health and identity, becoming a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ youth.
Transitioning from modeling to acting, Delevingne has appeared in ‘Paper Towns’, ‘Suicide Squad’, and the series ‘Only Murders in the Building’. She also produces documentaries and participates in campaigns focused on LGBTQ+ rights and well-being.
Niecy Nash-Betts
Niecy Nash introduced the world to her relationship with musician Jessica Betts in 2020 and announced their marriage the same year. She has described her journey as love-led rather than label-led, while affirming LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Nash is known for scene-stealing comedic and dramatic turns in ‘Reno 911!’, ‘Claws’, and ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’. She continues to anchor prestige limited series and films, earning awards recognition for her performances.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore has identified as bisexual in multiple interviews over the years and has voiced consistent support for LGBTQ+ communities. She has also used her platforms to highlight inclusive stories and guests.
Barrymore’s acting credits stretch from childhood classics to hits like ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘The Wedding Singer’, and she has directed and produced as well. She now hosts ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’, blending entertainment with advocacy-minded conversations.
Holland Taylor
Holland Taylor has been publicly out for years and is known for her relationship with Sarah Paulson. She has spoken about age, privacy, and the public’s interest in celebrity relationships with grace and humor.
Taylor’s distinguished stage and screen career includes ‘The Practice’, ‘Two and a Half Men’, and critically noted theater work. She writes and performs one-woman plays and continues to appear in prestige television and films.
Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné acknowledged her same-sex relationships publicly in the 2010s and later married social media manager Miranda Maday. She has discussed the pressures of child stardom and the freedom of living authentically.
Known to a generation for ‘That’s So Raven’, she has continued acting and producing, including the revival ‘Raven’s Home’. She also hosts and guest-hosts unscripted programs, bringing LGBTQ+ visibility to family-friendly entertainment.
Auliʻi Cravalho
Auliʻi Cravalho came out as bisexual in 2020 via social media and has since discussed representation for young audiences. She has used interviews and online platforms to support inclusive casting and storytelling.
Cravalho broke out as the voice lead of ‘Moana’ and went on to star in projects such as ‘All Together Now’ and the series ‘The Power’. She continues to work across voice acting and live-action roles while advocating for LGBTQ+ youth.
Share your thoughts—and the actresses you’d add to this list—in the comments!
