
Hollywood is seeing a shift as more celebrities openly share who they truly are. Many well-known actresses who identify as lesbian or bisexual have previously been married to or in long-term relationships with men. These stories demonstrate that attraction can change over time and that personal growth happens even while maintaining a public career. By sharing their experiences, these stars are helping to break down stereotypes and create more acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community. This article looks at several prominent women who have navigated both heterosexual relationships and embracing their own identities while in the public eye.
Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin shared that she is bisexual in a video for a campaign back in 2010. She first became well-known as a young actress in ‘The Piano’ and later achieved widespread fame playing Sookie Stackhouse on ‘True Blood’. That same year, she married her ‘True Blood’ co-star, Stephen Moyer, and they now have two children. Paquin openly discusses her identity and frequently addresses criticism from those who question her bisexuality due to her marriage. She remains a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community while continuing to thrive in her acting career.
Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza publicly shared her attraction to people of all genders in 2016. Known for playing unique and often deadpan characters, the ‘Parks and Recreation’ star has been in a long-term relationship with, and eventually married, screenwriter and director Jeff Baena in 2021. Plaza has said her family and friends were always aware of who she is, and she’s comfortable being open about her identity. Her marriage to Baena demonstrates her commitment to him, even as she openly identifies as bisexual.
Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash shocked many when she revealed she had married singer Jessica Betts in 2020. Before this, the actress was married to Don Nash for thirteen years and then to Jay Tucker for eight. She’s explained that her journey isn’t about coming out, but about embracing who she is and falling in love with someone, no matter their gender. Nash has received awards for her roles in shows like ‘Claws’ and ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.’ Her life story shows how people can grow and change throughout their lives and careers.
Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes publicly shared she was gay at a 2008 rally opposing Proposition 8. Before marrying her wife, Alex Niedbalski, Sykes was married to record producer Dave Hall from 1991 to 1998. Throughout her career, the comedian has openly discussed her experiences as a Black gay woman in the entertainment world. She continues to be a well-known figure in stand-up comedy and also provides voice work for animated projects. Sykes has often incorporated her previous marriage into her routines and interviews, sharing that part of her personal story.
Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi is famous for her marriage to Ellen DeGeneres, which started in 2008. Before publicly coming out, de Rossi was married to Mel Metcalfe, a documentary filmmaker, from 1996 to 1999. She later shared that she entered this marriage as a way to conceal her sexuality while becoming well-known. Now retired from acting, de Rossi focuses on her businesses and charitable work with her wife. Her story of moving from hiding her true self to having a very public relationship has been a source of inspiration for many in the LGBTQ+ community.
Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon is a well-known actress, best remembered for playing Miranda Hobbes on ‘Sex and the City’. She and schoolteacher Danny Mozes were together for fifteen years and share two children. After their relationship ended, Nixon married Christine Marinoni in 2012. She has publicly stated she is bisexual and has also been involved in New York politics, even running for governor. Today, Nixon continues to be a strong advocate for both the arts and important social issues.
Meredith Baxter

Meredith Baxter became famous in the 1980s for her role on the popular TV show ‘Family Ties’. Over the course of her life, she married three times and had five children. In 2009, after years of personal reflection, Baxter publicly came out as a lesbian. She later married her partner of many years, Nancy Locke, in 2013. She has described coming out later in life as a freeing and honest experience in her autobiography.
Kelly McGillis

Kelly McGillis became well-known for starring in popular movies like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Witness’. She has been married twice, first to Boyd Black and later to Fred Tillman, with whom she shares two daughters. In 2009, she publicly shared that she is a lesbian. She later entered a civil union with Melanie Leis, but they later separated. Over the years, McGillis has openly discussed the challenges of fame and her path to accepting herself.
Maria Bello

Maria Bello is a well-known actress, recognized for her work in films like ‘A History of Violence’ and the TV series ‘NCIS’. In 2013, she wrote a personal essay for the New York Times about her relationship with a woman. Previously, she was in a long-term relationship with Dan McDermott, and they have a son together. Recently, Bello got engaged to chef Dominique Crenn and continues to be a voice for embracing flexible identities. She explains that her relationships are built on a deep, spiritual connection with another person, not just physical attraction or gender.
Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough became well-known as a professional dancer and judge on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ She married hockey player Brooks Laich in 2017, and after several years of marriage, they divorced. During their time together, Hough publicly shared that she doesn’t identify as strictly heterosexual and has a more flexible view of her sexuality. She’s emphasized the value of honesty with herself and her partner regarding her true self. Currently, Hough is continuing her career in dance and wellness while openly navigating her personal life.
Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho is a comedian and actress who’s known for speaking her mind on important social issues. She and artist Al Ridenour were married for more than ten years before divorcing. Cho has always been open about being bisexual and her interest in different kinds of relationships. Throughout her career, she’s used her voice to fight for greater representation of Asian Americans and LGBTQ+ rights. Her comedy often tackles the complex connections between race and sexuality with honesty and humor.
Sia

As a critic, I’ve always been captivated by Sia – not just her incredible voice and songwriting talent, responsible for anthems like ‘Chandelier’ and ‘Cheap Thrills’, but also her fascinating persona. Her life has had its share of public moments, including a two-year marriage to filmmaker Erik Anders Lang which ended in 2016. Sia’s openly embraced her identity as queer, and has been refreshingly honest about being attracted to people regardless of gender. What’s really striking is her commitment to privacy; she famously shields her face with elaborate wigs when she’s out in public. Yet, despite wanting to keep things private, she’s been remarkably open about her personal experiences, especially when it comes to love and her own journey.
Amber Heard

Amber Heard is an actress who has appeared in movies like ‘Aquaman’ and ‘The Rum Diary’. She was briefly married to Johnny Depp, and their relationship received a lot of media attention. Before Depp, Heard was in a long-term relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree and publicly identified as bisexual. Heard is also a strong voice for raising awareness about domestic violence and human rights. She continues to work as an actress while openly sharing her identity and experiences.
Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore has been famous since childhood, first appearing in the movie ‘E.T.’ She’s been married three times, to men including Jeremy Thomas and Will Kopelman. In the early 2000s, she publicly shared that she is bisexual and spoke about her relationships with women. Today, she’s a popular talk show host and a successful entrepreneur with her own brands of makeup and home goods. Her honesty and openness have made her a cherished personality in Hollywood for many years.
Megan Fox

Megan Fox rose to fame through her role in the ‘Transformers’ movies. She and actor Brian Austin Green were married for a decade and have three sons together. Throughout her career, Fox has openly discussed her bisexuality and attraction to women. She’s currently dating musician Machine Gun Kelly, and both her career and personal life continue to attract a lot of public attention.
Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood is a skilled actress who gained recognition for her roles in the film ‘Thirteen’ and the TV show ‘Westworld’. She and actor Jamie Bell were married for two years and share a son. In 2011, Wood publicly came out as bisexual and has since been a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights. She’s openly discussed her experiences with trauma and her path to healing and understanding herself, and these themes often appear in her work as an artist.
Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette is a Canadian singer who became hugely popular with her album, ‘Jagged Little Pill’. She’s been married to rapper Mario Treadway since 2010, and they have three children together. Throughout her career, Morissette has openly talked about her sexuality and how it’s evolved. She’s celebrated for her thoughtful, personal lyrics and her focus on well-being and personal development. Fans connect with her music because of its honesty and vulnerability.
Pink

Pink is a hugely popular singer famous for her incredible voice and energetic, athletic stage shows. She and motocross racer Carey Hart married in 2006 and have two children. Pink often talks about her openness regarding sexuality and doesn’t feel defined by labels. She’s a passionate supporter of important issues like animal welfare and LGBTQ+ rights. Pink continues to be a very successful and impactful artist in today’s music scene.
Fergie

Fergie became famous as part of the Black Eyed Peas and later as a solo singer. She and actor Josh Duhamel were married for eight years before separating and divorcing. She’s openly discussed her bisexuality and past relationships with women in interviews. Fergie is a mother to one son and continues to work in both music and fashion. She’s known for her distinctive style and her impact on pop and hip hop.
Halsey

As a huge music fan, I’ve always been captivated by Halsey. She’s got this incredibly unique voice and really pushes boundaries with her albums – they’re always so thoughtfully put together. I know she and Alev Aydin have a son together, and she’s been linked to a few other well-known faces over the years. What I especially appreciate is her openness about being bisexual and how she weaves those experiences into her art – it feels really genuine. Plus, she consistently uses her platform to speak out on important issues like social justice and reproductive rights, which I think is amazing. It’s no wonder she’s built such a loyal fanbase and racked up so much recognition – she’s just incredibly authentic.
Cardi B

Cardi B is a hugely successful rapper who first became famous with her song ‘Bodak Yellow’. She married rapper Offset in 2017, and they have two children. She’s openly bisexual and has spoken out about her identity online, responding to criticism. Known for being outspoken and authentic, Cardi B has achieved success in both music and fashion, consistently topping the charts and remaining a major influence in pop culture today.
Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson is famous for playing Dana Scully in the popular show ‘The X Files’. She’s been married twice and has three children from previous relationships. Anderson has also discussed past relationships with women, identifying as sexually fluid. Recently, she’s earned praise for her performances in ‘The Crown’ and ‘Sex Education’. With a career lasting many years, she continues to be a well-respected actress in film and television.
Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is a celebrated actress who has won an Academy Award and is also known for her humanitarian work. She’s been married three times, to actors like Jonny Lee Miller and Brad Pitt. In the 1990s, she had a public relationship with actress Jenny Shimizu and has spoken openly about being bisexual. Jolie is a mother to six children and has spent a significant part of her life working on international aid projects and advocating for human rights. She’s starred in memorable films such as ‘Girl, Interrupted’ and the ‘Maleficent’ movies.
Lady Gaga

I’ve been a huge Lady Gaga fan for years, and it’s amazing to see how far she’s come! She’s not just an incredibly talented singer, but also a total style icon – always pushing boundaries with her fashion. Her personal life has been pretty public over the years, with relationships like those with Taylor Kinney and Christian Carino. From the start, she’s been open about being bisexual, and I love how she incorporates that into her music and uses her platform to be so supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. The Born This Way Foundation is a testament to that! It’s no surprise she’s won so many awards – her music and acting are truly incredible, and she’s rightfully gained fans all over the world.
Cassandra Peterson

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always loved Cassandra Peterson – she is Elvira, Mistress of the Dark! For over twenty years, she was married to her manager, Mark Pierson, and they have a daughter together. But in 2021, she shared something really personal in her memoir: she’d actually been happily with a woman for nineteen years. She wanted to be completely open and honest with her fans and give them the full story of her life, which I really admire. Even after all these years, she’s still a total icon in the horror world and continues to show up and delight fans everywhere.
Sophie B. Hawkins

Sophie B. Hawkins is a singer-songwriter famous for songs like ‘As I Lay Me Down’ and ‘Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover’. She identifies as omnisexual and has had relationships with people of all genders. A mother of two, Hawkins openly embraces unconventional ideas about love and family. She continues to perform and record music for her fans worldwide, often focusing on themes of passion and personal freedom.
Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz is an actress famous for playing Detective Rosa Diaz on the comedy show ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’. She married actor Brad Hoss in 2018, and they have a daughter. Stephanie publicly came out as bisexual in 2016 and has become a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry. Her ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’ character also came out as bisexual, which was a significant moment for television. She continues to act in both on-screen and voiceover roles for many popular projects.
Chyler Leigh

Chyler Leigh is an actress known for her work on shows like ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Supergirl’. She and actor Nathan West have been married since 2002 and share three children. In 2020, Leigh publicly shared her own journey with her sexuality, following her character’s coming out on ‘Supergirl’. She’s spoken about how important family support is, and the challenges of figuring out who you are within a long-term marriage. Her experiences have connected with many fans who are navigating their own personal growth while staying committed to their relationships.
Melanie Brown

I’ve been a Spice Girls fan forever, so I always think of Melanie Brown as Scary Spice! She’s had a pretty interesting life, being married twice – first to Jimmy Gulzar, and then to Stephen Belafonte. I also remember being really impressed when she talked about being bisexual and shared details about a long-term relationship she had with a woman. It’s cool to see her still doing her thing as a judge on TV and performing – she really seems like someone who lives life on her own terms and isn’t afraid to be herself.
Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne started her career as a young actress on the Disney Channel show ‘Shake It Up’ and quickly became well-known. She publicly came out as bisexual in 2016, and later explained that she’s pansexual. While she was once engaged to singer Benjamin Mascolo and has dated several famous men, Thorne is also a talented actress and director. She’s particularly recognized for her active social media presence and work in independent films. By openly discussing her identity, she’s become an important role model for many young people.
Jameela Jamil

I’ve been following Jameela Jamil for a while now, and she’s truly a multi-faceted talent. Most people probably recognize her from the hilarious ‘The Good Place,’ but she’s so much more than just an actress. She publicly came out as queer in 2020, a move that followed a lot of unwanted attention on her personal life. Beyond her acting, she’s dedicated to important work – she founded ‘I Weigh,’ which is all about body neutrality and self-love, and it’s really resonating with people. What I admire most is how she brings her full self – as a queer woman of color – to her activism; it feels incredibly authentic and powerful.
Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley is a well-respected actress famous for her work in movies like ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ and the ‘Divergent’ series. She’s shared that she’s attracted to people’s personalities, not their gender. While she was once engaged to football player Aaron Rodgers and has dated other men publicly, she’s also a passionate environmental activist who supports many important social causes. Woodley continues to have a successful acting career, consistently choosing interesting and demanding roles.
Anne Heche

Anne Heche was a well-known actress who appeared in films like ‘Six Days Seven Nights’ and ‘Donnie Brasco’. She gained significant attention in the late 1990s for her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, a moment considered important for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood. Anne was married to Coleman Laffoon and later had a long-term relationship with James Tupper. She frequently discussed how coming out publicly affected her career at the time, and she continued to work as an actress until her death in 2022.
Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson is a highly acclaimed actress, famous for playing a variety of characters on the show ‘American Horror Story’. She was previously in a long-term relationship and engaged to actor and playwright Tracy Letts. Later, Paulson dated several women, including actress Cherry Jones, and is currently in a relationship with Holland Taylor. She’s described her sexuality as fluid, preferring not to be defined by strict labels. Paulson consistently receives praise for her work, solidifying her position as a leading actor in television today.
Kristy Swanson

I’ll always remember Kristy Swanson as the first Buffy – she totally nailed that role in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’! She found love with Lloyd Eisler, a professional skater, and they got married in 2009 and have a son together. It’s great that she’s been open about being bisexual and has talked about her relationships with both men and women. She’s still working steadily in TV movies and making guest appearances, which is wonderful to see after all these years. She’s a real pro and I love that she connects with fans online, too!
Alice Walker

Alice Walker is a celebrated author who won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel, ‘The Color Purple’. She was married to civil rights lawyer Melvyn Rosenman Leventhal for several years, and later had a public relationship with singer Tracy Chapman, identifying as a lesbian. A lifelong activist, Walker has passionately fought for social justice and human rights. Her writing has made a significant impact, establishing her as a key figure in American literature.
Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco is a well-known folk rock singer-songwriter and a true icon in the genre. She’s been married twice, first to sound engineer Andrew Gilchrist and later to producer Mike Napolitano. Throughout her career, DiFranco has been open about identifying as bisexual and often writes songs exploring relationships with people of all genders. She’s celebrated for her independence and took control of her music by starting her own record label. Her songs continue to resonate with fans who appreciate thoughtful lyrics and social commentary.
Janis Ian

Janis Ian is a Grammy-winning musician who became popular in the 1960s and 70s with songs like ‘At Seventeen’. She was briefly married to Portuguese filmmaker Tino Sargo before they divorced. In the early 1990s, Ian publicly came out as a lesbian and later married her partner, Patricia Snyder. Throughout her career, she’s been a pioneer for LGBTQ+ artists and has openly shared her life story in her autobiography. She’s achieved both popular success and critical acclaim in the music industry.
Eliza Dushku

Eliza Dushku is an actress best known for her appearances in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Bring It On’. She married businessman Peter Palandjian in 2018, and they have two children together. Dushku has openly talked about being attracted to people of all genders. She’s also been a strong voice for those who’ve experienced workplace harassment, working to improve safety standards in the entertainment world. Throughout her career, she’s taken on diverse roles in both film and television and continues to be a beloved figure with fans.
Please share your thoughts on these public figures and their personal stories in the comments.
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2026-02-14 21:20