Actresses Who Successfully Hid The Fact That They Dated Both Men and Women

Being a celebrity often means sacrificing privacy, particularly when it comes to personal relationships. For years, many actresses kept their attractions to both men and women private, choosing to explore those relationships away from public scrutiny. Whether due to pressure from the entertainment industry or a simple desire for privacy, these women eventually chose to share their full stories after years of speculation or private relationships. This list celebrates actresses who lived authentically while keeping their diverse dating lives discreet before publicly confirming who they are.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza, known for her role in ‘Parks and Recreation,’ has always kept her personal life private, despite past rumors of a relationship with actor Michael Cera. In 2016, she shared in an interview that she is attracted to people of all genders. She said her family has always accepted her identity, which she’s known for a long time. Plaza later married filmmaker Jeff Baena in 2021, after dating for several years. She continues to succeed in her career, earning praise for her work in shows like ‘The White Lotus’.

Sarah Paulson

For many years, Sarah Paulson was in a well-known relationship with actor Tracy Letts. Later, she began dating women, which came as a surprise to some fans. She then had a long-term relationship with actress Cherry Jones, and eventually found a lasting partnership with Holland Taylor, which became public in 2015. Paulson has shared that she doesn’t feel the need to define her sexuality, explaining that she simply follows her heart. She remains a highly acclaimed and celebrated actress in both television and film.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon was with Danny Mozes for fifteen years and they had two children together. She later began dating women, eventually marrying Christine Marinoni in 2004 – a change that brought more attention to her personal life. Nixon publicly identified as bisexual and queer, but emphasized she hadn’t been concealing anything during her earlier relationship. She’s now a well-known supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and even campaigned to become Governor of New York. She’s also remembered for her iconic role as Miranda Hobbes on ‘Sex and the City’.

Kristen Stewart

When the ‘Twilight’ movies were incredibly popular, Kristen Stewart dated her co-star, Robert Pattinson. After they split, she became very private about her personal life and began a relationship with Alicia Cargile, a visual effects producer. Later, Stewart publicly acknowledged she was attracted to people of all genders during a humorous speech on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and has since openly discussed her relationships with women. She often talks about the challenges of being labeled and how important it is to her to live genuinely. More recently, Stewart received an Academy Award nomination for her role in ‘Spencer’.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin first gained fame as a child in the movie ‘The Piano’ and later became well-known for her role in the series ‘True Blood’. During her time on ‘True Blood’, she married her co-star, Stephen Moyer. In 2010, she publicly came out as bisexual in a video for the Give a Damn campaign, which surprised many of her fans. Paquin has consistently spoken openly about her sexuality, emphasizing that her marriage to a man doesn’t change the fact that she is bisexual. She continues to successfully manage her career alongside her roles as a mother and an advocate for important causes.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood has been in several well-known relationships with both men and women, including engagements to musician Marilyn Manson and marriage to actor Jamie Bell. She publicly came out as bisexual in 2011, telling Esquire she’d been open about it with friends for years. Since then, Wood has continued to date people of all genders, including actress Katherine Moennig. She’s become a strong voice for bisexual people, highlighting the unique difficulties they face, and is also a dedicated advocate for those who have experienced domestic violence.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has been married to both Jonny Lee Miller and Brad Pitt, but she also had a meaningful relationship with her “Gia” co-star, Jenny Shimizu. For a long time, the media focused more on her marriages than on her attraction to women. Jolie later discussed her past relationships with women in interviews, confirming she had fallen in love with them. She’s always said she doesn’t want to limit who she loves based on gender, and this openness has made her an important voice in conversations about bisexuality and celebrities.

Amber Heard

Before marrying Johnny Depp, Amber Heard was in a several-year relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree. Although she openly discussed this relationship at the time, her past relationships with women weren’t widely known until later. Heard has stated she doesn’t want to be defined by her sexuality, and has dated both men and women. She’s also emphasized the need for more LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood. Despite recent legal challenges, Heard continues to act in films.

Holland Taylor

I’ve always admired Holland Taylor, and I was so impressed when she finally shared a part of her personal life with us. For years, she kept things very private, even while being so successful on shows like ‘Two and a Half Men.’ Then, in 2015, she revealed she was in a serious relationship with Sarah Paulson, which was just wonderful to hear. She explained it in a way that really resonated with me – she said she’d never felt the need to ‘come out’ because she’d always just lived her life authentically, having loved both men and women over the years. It was such a positive moment, and everyone seemed so happy for her!

Michelle Rodriguez

While filming ‘The Fast and the Furious,’ Michelle Rodriguez’s personal life was often the focus of gossip magazines. In 2013, she publicly confirmed she is bisexual, telling Entertainment Weekly she’s been attracted to both men and women. Throughout her career, she’s been romantically connected to various co-stars and public figures, including Cara Delevingne. Although she values her privacy, Rodriguez felt it was important to be open about her experiences. She continues to focus on action-packed roles in film and voice acting projects.

Maria Bello

Maria Bello was in a long-term relationship with Dan McDermott and they have a son together. In 2013, she publicly shared her relationship with Clare Munn in a moving essay for the New York Times, titled “Coming Out as a Modern Family,” detailing how she discussed the relationship with her son and her evolving feelings. More recently, Bello became engaged to chef Dominique Crenn and continues to champion different kinds of families. She’s still a well-respected actress, working in both television and independent films.

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne became well-known as a young actress on the Disney Channel show ‘Shake It Up’ and was often in the spotlight for her relationships with various actors. In 2016, she publicly shared on Twitter that she is bisexual, responding to a question from a fan. A few years later, in 2019, she clarified that she actually identifies as pansexual, explaining that she’s attracted to people based on personality, not gender. Thorne has openly dated both men and women, frequently sharing details of her life online. Beyond acting, she’s also a businesswoman and a director.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson generally keeps her personal life private, but in a 2018 interview, she shared that she’s attracted to people of all genders. She spoke about her close bond with Janelle Monáe, though she didn’t label their relationship. Thompson has said her family helped her feel comfortable exploring who she is. She remains a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg first gained recognition in ‘The Hunger Games.’ In 2016, they publicly came out as bisexual on Snapchat while working with Teen Vogue, and later clarified in 2018 that they identified as gay, explaining their understanding of their attraction had developed over time. Before this, Stenberg hadn’t publicly discussed their romantic life. They’ve since become a prominent activist for Gen Z, and their performance in the film ‘The Hate U Give’ was highly praised by critics.

Janelle Monáe

For the first ten years of her career, Janelle Monáe intentionally created a public image as a “cyborg” to keep her private life hidden. She didn’t discuss her sexuality publicly until 2018, when she shared in Rolling Stone magazine that she identifies as pansexual. Monáe explained she had been privately dating both men and women for years. Since then, she’s used her music and acting, including her role in ‘Glass Onion,’ to proudly express and celebrate queer identity. This openness has been widely praised as an important step forward for Black LGBTQ+ representation.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne first gained fame as a model and later became an actress, appearing in films like ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘Paper Towns’. While she was initially connected to several well-known men, her relationships with women, including St. Vincent and Ashley Benson, eventually became public knowledge. Delevingne identifies as pansexual, meaning she’s attracted to people based on their personality rather than gender. She’s openly discussed the challenges of growing up feeling like an outsider in a conventional setting. Today, she remains a well-known figure in both fashion and film.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore has had three marriages and was frequently in the news during the 1990s and 2000s. Since 2003, she’s openly discussed her attraction to women, telling Contactmusic she’s always identified as bisexual. She had romantic relationships with women when she was younger, though these weren’t widely publicized then. Barrymore often emphasizes the importance of staying true to who you are, despite what others think. Currently, she hosts a popular daytime talk show.

Lili Reinhart

Lili Reinhart rose to fame playing Betty Cooper on the show ‘Riverdale’ and was previously in a long-term relationship with her co-star, Cole Sprouse. In 2020, she publicly shared that she identifies as bisexual in an Instagram post supporting an LGBTQ+ protest. Reinhart explained she’d known her sexuality for a long time but was initially reluctant to discuss it openly. Since then, she’s been a vocal advocate for mental health, body positivity, and LGBTQ+ rights. She’s also appeared in films, including the popular 2019 movie ‘Hustlers’.

Dove Cameron

Dove Cameron previously had well-known relationships with actors she worked with, and was once engaged to Ryan McCartan. In 2020, she publicly came out as queer during an Instagram Live, and has since discussed her identity in interviews. She explained she had been openly queer privately for years but wanted to be clear with her fans. Since then, her music has often explored her identity, and she’s dated people of all genders. Recently, she’s gained acclaim for her role in the musical series ‘Schmigadoon!’

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson, famous for her funny roles in the ‘Pitch Perfect’ movies, kept her personal life private for a long time. In 2022, she shared on Instagram that she was dating fashion designer Ramona Agruma, playfully calling her a “Disney Princess.” Before this, Wilson had been publicly linked to several men, including Jacob Busch. She explained that she had been looking for the right partner and ultimately found happiness with a woman. Recently, Wilson became a mother to a daughter born via surrogate.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green were married for a long time, and Fox was often seen as a classic Hollywood star. She first publicly discussed being attracted to both men and women in a 2009 interview, confidently stating she knew who she was. Despite this, the media focused much more on her marriage and relationships with men than on any relationships with women. More recently, she gained attention for her relationship with Machine Gun Kelly, and she remains a popular figure, especially known for her role in the movie ‘Jennifer’s Body’.

Alia Shawkat

Alia Shawkat, famous for her role in ‘Arrested Development’, has always preferred to keep her personal life private while focusing on her career in independent films. In 2017, she publicly shared that she is bisexual in an interview with Out magazine, explaining she’d dated people of all genders. Shawkat has said growing up in Los Angeles helped her explore who she is. Though she’s been connected to various people in the arts, she generally avoids public attention regarding her relationships. Recently, she received positive reviews for her starring role in the series ‘Search Party’.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi first married Mel Metcalfe in the late 1990s while privately grappling with her identity. She publicly came out as gay in 2004 when she began a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres. De Rossi detailed the challenges of hiding her true self in Hollywood in her memoir, ‘Unbearable Lightness’. She has since left acting to concentrate on her business and charitable work. Her marriage to DeGeneres is well-known as a prominent same-sex relationship.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash had been married to men for two decades when she surprised everyone by marrying singer Jessica Betts in 2020. Nash explained she wasn’t hiding her true self, but simply fell in love with Betts as an individual. She identifies as someone who doesn’t need labels and continues to successfully act in shows like ‘Reno 911!’. Her story is inspiring because it demonstrates that love can happen at any point in life.

Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil became well-known for her role in ‘The Good Place’ and is also a vocal advocate for body neutrality. In 2020, she publicly came out as queer on social media after facing criticism for her work on a show inspired by ballroom culture. Jamil shared that she’d kept her sexuality private for a long time, worried about how people would react. She’s been in a long-term relationship with James Blake, but has also spoken about being attracted to women. Jamil continues to be a prominent, though sometimes controversial, voice in online activism.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné rose to fame as a child actress on shows like ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘That’s So Raven’, and generally kept her private life very private. She publicly acknowledged her sexuality in 2013 with a tweet celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage, expressing her excitement about potentially getting married. In 2020, she announced her marriage to Miranda Maday, confirming her attraction to women. She’s since shared that she dated both men and women when she was younger. She continues to be an active actress and television personality.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz is well-known for her role as Detective Rosa Diaz on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, where her character came out as bisexual. In 2016, Beatriz publicly shared that she herself is bisexual on Twitter, which her fans celebrated. She married Brad Hoss in 2018 and has discussed how being married to a man doesn’t change her identity as a queer person. Beatriz is a strong advocate for bisexual representation in the media, and she also voiced the main character in Disney’s ‘Encanto’.

Abbi Jacobson

Abbi Jacobson, known for co-creating and starring in the comedy ‘Broad City,’ kept her romantic life mostly private as the show became popular. In 2018, she shared with Vanity Fair that she’s attracted to people of all genders, as long as they’re humorous and ambitious. She later became engaged to actress Jodi Balfour in 2022. Beyond acting, Jacobson has also found success as a writer and producer, often focusing on stories about friendship and self-discovery in her work.

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein became well-known for her performances in films like ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Booksmart,’ but she generally kept her personal life private. In 2019, she publicly shared her relationship with Bonnie-Chance Roberts, who she met while filming ‘How to Build a Girl.’ Feldstein had previously been in relationships with men and explained that she hadn’t seriously considered her sexuality until she met Roberts. The two later married in 2023, choosing a fun summer camp theme for their wedding. Feldstein remains a popular and successful actress, appearing in both Broadway shows and movies.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is famously private, having kept her personal life largely out of the public eye throughout her long career. Though initially linked to male partners, she had a significant relationship with Cydney Bernard before openly discussing it. In a memorable 2013 Golden Globes speech, she addressed her need for privacy and spoke about her identity. She later married photographer Alexandra Hedison in 2014. Foster remains a prominent figure in Hollywood, successfully working as both an actress and a director.

Okay, so I was scrolling through the comments, and I have to admit, some of these actresses’ past relationships really threw me for a loop! I’m curious, which dating history reveal shocked you the most when you first read about it? It’s always fascinating to learn about the hidden lives of celebrities, and some of these stories were total surprises!

2026-03-14 16:19