Wayne Brady, the renowned comedian, actor, and host of shows such as "Whose Line is it Anyway?" and "Let's Make A Deal," has recently come out as pansexual, revealing that he can have sexual, romantic, or emotional attractions to individuals regardless of their gender. In an interview with People, Brady discussed his evolving understanding of his sexuality, explaining that he identifies as pansexual, which he describes as "bisexual - with an open mind." For him, being pansexual means being able to be attracted to anyone who identifies as gay, straight, bi, transsexual, or non-binary, encompassing a wide range of gender identities and orientations.
Brady's journey of self-discovery and acceptance led him to embrace the pansexual label, as he felt that the term “bisexual” didn't wholly capture his experience. He shared that he had always had a community of friends in the LGBTQ+ community, including gays, lesbians, and later in life, trans relatives and his niece. However, he felt like a “sham” because he wasn't being honest with himself and others about his own sexuality.
The 51-year-old comedian also opened up about his struggles with love addiction and mental health. After the death of Robin Williams in 2014, Brady became more vocal about mental health and sought therapy to address his love addiction. He admitted to looking for happiness in a "slew of other people" and acknowledged the importance of therapy in his journey towards self-acceptance.
Brady's ex-wife, Mandie Taketa, was the first person he came out to, and she expressed her support, saying, "I just said, 'Great.' As I knew coming out would help him be happier." The couple, who share a 20-year-old daughter named Maile, are currently filming a reality show about their blended family for Hulu.
In an Instagram post, Brady lip-synced to Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back To Me Now," expressing his excitement about living his best life and embracing his true self. He wrote, "This shouldn't shake anyone's world, but if it bothers you at all, that's your business... A 'real man' in my eyes, isn't afraid to be honest and happy."
Brady's brave decision to publicly come out as pansexual has sparked conversations about sexuality, gender identity, and self-acceptance. Pansexuality, as defined by GLAAD, is a sexual orientation where individuals can form enduring attractions to any person, regardless of gender identity. It is one of several terms under the bi+ umbrella, which includes bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, ominisexual, fluid, and queer identities.
Brady's story serves as a reminder that sexuality is a personal journey, and individuals should feel empowered to embrace their true selves, free from judgment or fear. As he continues on his path of self-discovery, Brady hopes to be the best version of himself for his daughter, ex-wife, and future partner. He plans to live his life authentically and openly, now identifying as a single, open-minded pansexual who is ready to explore and connect with others.
