Most Famous Black Pansexual Actors

Public discussion of pansexual identity in entertainment keeps expanding, and a growing group of Black performers have spoken openly about it—helping audiences see that attraction can be about people, not gender. The figures below have used their platforms to explain what pansexuality means to them, while building impressive bodies of work across comedy, film, TV, and music. Their visibility helps reduce stigma, invites better representation, and encourages others to live authentically. Here are four widely recognized names, with one entry clarifying how the star ultimately self-identifies.

Wayne Brady

A multi-hyphenate entertainer best known for improv on ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ and hosting ‘Let’s Make a Deal’, Wayne Brady publicly shared that he identifies as pansexual, explaining that he’s attracted to people regardless of gender. He discussed the process of self-understanding in interviews, aiming to clarify common misconceptions and normalize the label. Beyond television, Brady has performed on Broadway and in touring productions, adding stage credits to his screen résumé. His candor—paired with his long-running mainstream presence—has brought meaningful visibility to pansexual identity in popular culture.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe has spoken openly about being pansexual and later about being non-binary, using interviews and performances to describe how identity informs their art. As an actor, Monáe’s screen work includes ‘Moonlight’, ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Glass Onion’, and the series ‘Homecoming’. They first described pansexuality fitting their experience in a wide-ranging cover story and have continued to discuss queer representation in their creative projects. By blending high-profile roles with boundary-pushing music, Monáe helped bring pansexual representation into mainstream conversation.

Madison Bailey

Madison Bailey shared that she is pansexual through TikTok and follow-up interviews, speaking candidly about attraction across genders and the importance of self-acceptance. She is best known for her role as Kiara “Kie” Carrera on the Netflix hit ‘Outer Banks’, which gave her global visibility. Bailey has also appeared in ‘Black Lightning’ and has discussed mental health and LGBTQ+ visibility in media profiles. Her openness early in her career has made her a reference point for young fans navigating identity.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg has been associated with multiple labels in media coverage over the years, including pansexuality, which she has spoken about in a 2016 interview, but in a 2018 interview she stated clearly that she is “gay — not bi, not pan, but gay.” She has continued to affirm that understanding in subsequent coverage and social posts. Stenberg’s acting work spans roles in ‘The Hate U Give’, ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’, ‘The Hunger Games’, and the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Acolyte’. Including her here acknowledges that past discussions sometimes mentioned pansexuality while making clear how she ultimately self-identifies today.

Have someone you think should be included here as well—share your picks in the comments!