At an Arrested Development reunion at an interview for Inside The Actor’s Studio, Portia de Rossi touched upon her experience as coming out as a gay woman in Hollywood. Host James Lipton asked Portia about her reality in coming out as gay with wife Ellen Degeneres, although the two were just starting to date at the time.
Portia revealed that it happened in 2005, explaining, “I think when I really, truly came out was the Golden Globes when Arrested Development was nominated. Ellen and I had been together for a month and I was very, very nervous going to that because I knew that I was going to meet up with her after the show . . . And that there was press. And that was the first time we stepped out together as a couple, but for me, it was the first time I stepped out as a gay woman, really.”
The whole cast and studio audience ended up cheering Portia’s answer, and it was a heartwarming moment for all. After all, Portia and Ellen have now been happily married for more than five years, despite tabloid rumors to the contrary.
It is becoming easier for gay performers to come out in Hollywood nowadays, with Portia and the likes of Neil Patrick Harris and Matt Bomer setting a new standard in the industry. Although there’s still a stigma surrounding leading men in Hollywood, many stars no longer feel the need to hide their sexuality, and it certainly hasn’t affected either Neil’s or Matt’s careers after they came out. Of course neither of these guys are leading men….
What do you guys think of Portia’s comments? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
