Ten Celebrities Who Came Out as LGBTQ+ in 2022

Social media is becoming an increasingly popular tool for celebrity announcements. Whether it’s for new music, their political beliefs or life updates, many high-profile figures simply resort to posting news themselves rather than through an agent. This might be why the more common way to come out as LGBTQ+ nowadays seems to be via social media, with many prominent celebrities using Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to express their identities. Coming out remains a difficult hurdle for many people and deserves to be celebrated. With this in mind, here are ten celebrities who have come out as LGBTQ+ in 2022 so far.

Adam Beales

Adam Beales (popularly known as Adam B) is a 22-year-old YouTuber and TV personality. In July 2022, he uploaded a coming out video titled “I’M GAY...”, where he discussed his sexuality, finding the confidence to come out, and the reactions of his family. With almost 1 million views, Adam’s video is a source of inspiration for many, as he conveys how relieved he feels to finally be himself in front of his 3.43 million subscribers and gives advice to anyone else struggling.

“Anything that you’re worried about or want to speak about, just open up. Opening up to [his family] was the best thing ever. Honestly, I was instantly a million times happier.”

Jena Malone

Actress and musician Jena Malone is perhaps best known for her role as Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games saga. In August 2022, she came out as pansexual via Instagram video and caption, stating:

“I guess it felt like I was a heterosexual man in a woman’s body. I visualized his desires and placed them on to me. But this was never the whole of the story that was meant for me. So, I’ve been learning a new way to tell it. Using words to guide me, not define me. That my sexual identity has more to teach and to tell me. Finding words that feel more right to explore in my telling. Pansexuality. Sapiosexuality. Polyamory. A fuller spectrum of understanding that my story is demanding of me.”

The post was very well received, with hundreds of comments sharing their love and support for Jena.

Rebel Wilson

Australian comedian and actress Rebel Wilson came out earlier this year in a public post on Instagram. She revealed that this post was made to pre-empt the publication of an article in The Sydney Morning Herald outing her. Though the circumstances through which she came out were unfortunate and serve as a reminder that outing someone before they are ready is a shameful act, the Instagram post was received with much love and joy from Rebel's supportive fans.

In a photograph with her partner Roma Agruma, Rebel posted the caption: "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess. #loveislove

Lil Uzi Vert

Popular rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert shot to fame in the late 2010s, gradually climbing the charts until their debut album reached number one in the Billboard Charts. In July 2022, they changed their pronoun settings on Instagram to they/them.

The 27-year-old rapper joins Sam Smith and Demi Lovato as one of the many high-profile figures who have publicly announced their gender identity in recent years. With the small action of changing their pronouns on a public social media page, Lil Uzi Vert has provided the non-binary community with another renowned figurehead.

Aujanue Ellis

In March 2022, American actress and producer Aujanue Ellis attended the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards wearing a Dolce & Gabanna suit with the word ‘Queer’ embroidered on the left arm. However, the press did not focus on this, with Aujanue revealing that only one family member noticed that she was coming out as LGBTQ+ with this action.

Speaking to Variety, she stated her belief that the press media at the awards show misread the embroidery: “I was thinking, ‘Why didn’t more people pay attention to that?’ And I was like, they probably thought it said ‘Queen,’”.

Since then, Aujanue expressed how she feels comfortable with the label bisexual and always has, and states that the only reason she hasn’t talked about it beforehand is because “Nobody asked.”

Emeli Sandé

Award winning singer and songwriter Emeli Sandé, best known for hits like Read All About It and Next To Me, became a staple feature in UK music in the 2010s. In April 2022, she posted a photograph of herself and her partner Yoana onto Twitter and Instagram, along with a caption expressing her relief in finally being herself:

“It's taken me many years to find the strength to be myself. I've struggled for a long time to accept myself as I am. I'm so lucky to have found my soul mate Yoana, she's such an extraordinary woman! Falling in love with her gave me the strength I needed!”

Emeli chose not to label herself, simply identifying within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, but went on to thank her fans and followers for showing her support. “Feels so good to be in love and I feel happier than ever. I'm deeply touched by all your messages of love and support. Thank you so much for your acceptance and kind wishes. Feels like a huge weight has been lifted, here's to a new beginning in truth and happiness!”

Willow Shields

Another member of The Hunger Games alumni, Willow Shields rose to fame after her portrayal of Primrose Everdeen in the film series. In June 2022, Willow came out as bisexual via Instagram post, sharing a photograph of her waving a large rainbow flag and simply writing the caption “Hi I’m bi. Happy Pride!!!”, along with some rainbow emojis.

The 22-year-old received an extremely positive reaction from her young fan circle, with many commenters thanking her for being an inspiration to them during the Pride celebrations.

Ozzy Lusth

Known for his appearances as a reality show contestant on multiple survival shows, American star Ozzy Lusth took to Twitter to announce his sexuality earlier this year. In a tweet posted in April, Ozzy confidently stated that he was bisexual and challenged anyone who had a problem with that to approach him.

“And for my Republican Colleagues, and anyone else who matters, Yeah I’m Bisexual. Am I committing crimes?? If so come get me. Let us ALL live with dignity. Ask yourself if you support people, or the f***** dogma you’ve been fed.”

He finished the post with #ozzyisbi, which users used to back up the 41-year-old with moral support.

Charlee Corra Disney

Charlee Corra is the great-great-nephew of Walt Disney, and heir to his fortune. In April 2022, his father Roy. P Disney wrote an appeal in opposition to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, announcing that his family would be making a $500,000 donation to the LGBTQ+ charity Human Rights Campaign. In the appeal, he expressed that this decision was made from their belief in striving for equality, and on a more personal note, in honor of their son.

Los Angeles Times provides the full quote from the appeal, writing that “Equality matters deeply to us, especially because our child, Charlee, is transgender and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Charlee conveyed his pride to identify as LGBTQ+ and re-emphasized the importance of charities like the Human Rights Campaign, putting the community at the forefront of his efforts.

Bosco

Known for her role in the 14th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bosco is an American performer who came out as transgender in February 2022. Posting a selfie on her Instagram, along with a note explaining the journey she’s been on, she wrote:

"After filming wrapped this summer, I began focusing on figuring out what medical transitioning would look like for me. I started HRT after getting back from Drag Race. I also plan to start exploring some surgical options in the near future.”

Bosco went on to discuss where she is now and what the future holds: "I am now in a place where I'm surrounded by love and support. Love from my heaven sent boyfriend, stunning peers, and incredible friends.” She concluded her statement by saying that she’s not quite at the stage she wants to be yet, but is slowly progressing. The post was met with love from her fans and followers, particularly from fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community.