Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Kate Winslet Says She Knows 'At Least 4' Actors Who Are Closeted Due To Hollywood's Homophobia

Kate Winslet Says She Knows 'At Least 4' Actors Who Are Closeted Due To Hollywood's Homophobia
Jim Spellman/WireImage via Getty Images

Kate Winslet spoke up for some anonymous actors and acquaintances that remained in the closet due to fear of their sexuality destroying their career due to Hollywood's homophobia.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Winslet said "I cannot tell you the number of young actors I know — some well known, some starting out — who are terrified their sexuality will be revealed and that it will stand in the way of their being cast in straight roles."


"Now that's f***ed up."






She also recounted a recent story of a well-known actor whose American agent encouraged him to stay closeted:

"A well-known actor has just got an American agent and the agent said, 'I understand you are bisexual. I wouldn't publicise that.' I can think of at least four actors absolutely hiding their sexuality. It's painful. Because they fear being found out. And that's what they say. 'I don't want to be found out.'"

Hollywood's long history of homophobia has caused several scandals; such as actor Rock Hudson, who was largely controlled by agent Henry Leroy Willson, being unable to be open about his sexuality until later life, when he contracted HIV and died from complications due to AIDS.






Winslet said that she was "done with not being honest about what [her] real opinions are."

" Hollywood has to drop that dated crap of, 'Can he play straight because, apparently, he's gay?'...That should be almost illegal."

"You would not believe how widespread it is. And it can't just be distilled to the question about gay actors playing gay parts. Because actors, in some cases, are choosing not to come out for personal reasons. And it's nobody's business. Perhaps privacy. Perhaps conditioning and shame."






Winslet says her goal is to get more people to speak as openly as she is now doing.

"I don't intend to browbeat or take on Hollywood. We're just talking about young actors who might be considering joining this profession, and finding a way to make it more open...for there to be less judgment, discrimination and homophobia."

It's been over half a century since Rock Hudson's career took off, and to see that the industry is still struggling with homophobia is anything but heartening.

Hopefully younger actors will get what they deserve from Hollywood--which is for it to do better.

More from News/lgbtq

'Fantastic Four: First Steps;' David Corenswet as 'Superman'
Disney/Marvel Studios; Warner Bros. Pictures

Theater Called Out For Covering 'Superman' Poster With 'Fantastic Four' Display—But David Corenswet's Reaction Is Pure Class

If you're a comic book movie fan, you're facing a summer that's a downright embarrassment of riches: Both The Fantastic Four: First Steps and a Superman reboot are headed your way back-to-back, shaping up for one heck of a summer movie season.

But some fans of the Superman franchise are a bit tetchy about the way the movie seems to be being overshadowed by The Fantastic Four, at least at one movie theater out there.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brad Pitt
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

Brad Pitt Opens Up About Going To Alcoholics Anonymous Amid 'Difficult' Split From Angelina Jolie

In 2016, actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt officially separated after 12 years together, with two of those years spent as husband and wife.

The split came after an inflight incident that forced the private plane Pitt, Jolie, and their children were traveling on to make an unscheduled landing and prompted an FBI investigation. Pitt later shared that he was struggling with an alcohol addiction.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sir Rod Stewart; Donald Trump
Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images

Rod Stewart Explains Why He's No Longer Friends With Trump In Blistering Interview

Singer Sir Rod Stewart and MAGA Republican President Donald Trump might seem like an odd pairing, but the two were once good friends, according to the Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

And they actually have several things in common.

Keep ReadingShow less
Thomas Massie; Donald Trump
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/Getty Images

GOP Rep. Offers Snarky Clapback After Trump Kicks Him Out Of MAGA For Criticizing Iran Attack

Kentucky Republican Representative Massie offered a snarky response after President Donald Trump said "MAGA doesn't want him" following Massie's criticism of Trump's unilateral decision to bomb Iran and the spending package presented in the "Big Beautiful Bill."

Massie spoke out following Trump's decision to authorize a series of intense U.S. air and submarine strikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities, amid ongoing uncertainty about the status of Tehran’s nuclear program. The threat of a wider conflict in the Middle East is on everyone's minds as tensions between Iran and Israel—now openly aided by the U.S.—intensify.

Keep ReadingShow less
Las Vegas sign
welcome to fabulous las vegas nevada signage

People Reveal The Times 'What Happens In Vegas' Did Not Stay In Vegas

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"...

The age-old slogan encourages visitors to put their fears and inhibitions to the side while indulging in all that "Sin City" has to offer.

Keep ReadingShow less