Did a flurry of celebrities come out of the closet by making statements about their gender identities and sexual orientations in the mainstream media, Twitter and Instagram?
Back in March, thirty-one year old Jussie Smollett, star of the Fox sitcom Empire spoke frankly to Ellen DeGeneres backstage about his gay identity. The character he plays on Empire, Jamal Lyon, had just “come out” on the show. Jussie told Ellen he, himself, has never been in a closet and that choosing not to discuss his private life in the media is not the same thing as hiding the fact that he is gay. Indeed, Jussie’s resume speaks for him: he has previously played gay characters in projects such as the 2012 gay film The Skinny. Interestingly, Jussie said nothing about his gay identity on the actual Ellen show that day. Some have speculated that Smollett’s speaking on the subject backstage with Ellen could have been a form of damage control. Empire co-star Malik Yoba is said to have blatantly “outed” Smollett weeks earlier, although Yoba claimed his remarks to the media about Smollett were taken out of context.
Following close on the heels of this highly visible interview, Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, raised eyebrows by tweeting a message to rapper Tyler, The Creator saying: “I Think Im In Love With You, I Don’t Know I’m Still Figuring It Out, But In The Meantime, Happy Birthday.” Whether or not this constitutes a “coming out” is up for debate. Jaden has been known for wearing dresses from time to time as well, but some think the tweet was just an affectionate joke. Jaden and his sister Willow have been reported as saying some pretty unpredictable things, so only time will tell what comes of this.
Finally, Madonna’s fourteen year old son Rocco Ritchie has been displaying increasingly odd behavior as of late, putting out ambiguous tweets that make it hard to tell whether he seriously enjoys crossdressing, is considering a sex change, or just has a strange sense of humor. Around the same time at the other two “coming out” events mentioned above were taking place, Rocco posted “I am a woman.” on his Instagram account. In the past month, he has made more posts in the same vein, releasing one photo of himself in jeans and a white string bikini top and another that depicts him wearing his hair in pigtails with a rather androgynous, floral-patterned shirt.
For some, like Caitlyn Jenner and Jussie Smollett, gender identity and sexual orientation are deeply important and enduring personal traits to be discussed and shared in real earnestness and with discretion. Other folks find it acceptable to experiment with and talk about crossdressing, sex changes, transgender identities, gay encounters, and “coming out” moments in a much more lighthearted way, changing what they say and do as it suits them. Will celebrities begin using “coming out” teasers and gender-bending antics more and more to get attention, seeing as the public continues to respond with high interest to the self-disclosures of real gay, lesbian, and transgender stars? And, if so, will disingenuous publicity stunts take away from or insult those for whom “coming out” is a real and significant ordeal, where everything is on the line?
photos/instagram
