"I'm Doing This For Me": Wayne Brady Comes Out As Pansexual
Warning: This article contains mention of suicide.
Wayne Brady, host of Let's Make a Deal and performer on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, has come out as pansexual.
The comedian opened up about his sexuality in an exclusive interview with People, which was published on Monday.
In the wide-ranging interview, Wayne discussed his journey to coming out, which included bettering his mental health after being "really impacted" by Robin Williams's death. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the comedian died in 2014 by suicide. "I was never suicidal, but I have empathy for those who face those thoughts," Wayne said.
Specifically, Wayne noted he struggled with accessing joy in his personal life. "I gave joy at work. But the pity is then I come home, and I don't have that joy. I have joy because I love my daughter, and I love my family. I love being a dad more than chocolate ice cream. But that can't be my only joy. I have to love myself," he said.
Wayne also elaborated on why he specifically identifies as pansexual. "In doing my research, both with myself and just with the world, I couldn't say if I was bisexual, because I had to really see what that was, especially because I really have not gotten a chance to act on anything," he told the publication. "So, I came to pansexual because — and I know that I'm completely messing up the dictionary meaning — but to me, pan means being able to be attracted to anyone who identifies as gay, straight, bi, transsexual, or nonbinary."
In particular, Wayne noted he has never dated a man but has been attracted to men throughout his life. "So, what does it mean if I feel something? I don't think I'm gay, but what if I feel something for another [man]... That's still gay. I was already bullied about a bunch of other s--t. I didn't wanna add a top hat on top of that suit," he said.
The interview, which is largely told in Wayne's own words, also included exclusive photos and updates about family life. Wayne is filming a forthcoming Hulu reality series with his family, including his ex-wife Mandie Taketa, their 20-year-old daughter Maile Brady, and Mandie's partner Jason Fordham.
He ended his interview by noting that part of coming out had to do with his family. "But if I'm healthy, then I can go onstage at Let's Make a Deal and be the best Wayne Brady that everybody wants and expects. I can be the best dad that Maile needs. I can be the best friend to Mandie, the best son to my mother, and one day, the best partner to someone, because I'm doing this for me."
Wayne and his daughter Maile attended the Tony Awards together on June 11, 2023.
