In the shiny world of Hollywood, rumors can spread faster than you can say, “Lights, camera, action!” Male actors in particular often find themselves caught in the crossfire of speculative whispers about their sexualities with fans wondering, “Is he gay?” While the struggle to come out and proudly embrace one’s authentic self is undeniably difficult, commendable, and brave, there are others who have had to face the harrowing task of setting the record straight about being, well, straight. When gay rumors zig, these guys zag. We present to you 10 male celebrities who—in a world where embracing diversity is the gold standard—confirmed their heterosexuality.
Darren Criss
Darren Criss is known for his roles on Glee and for playing gay serial killer, Andrew Cunanan, in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, for which he received Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Criss “came out” as straight in an interview with OUT in 2011 saying, “I think it’s more empowering to everybody, including myself, if I’m articulate about identifying myself as a straight male playing a gay character.” He added, “Ultimately that’s more powerful in both communities.” However, in 2018, Criss stated that he would no longer be playing gay characters, explaining, “I want to make sure I won’t be another straight boy taking a gay man’s role.”
Zac Efron
Though he doesn’t identify as gay, Zac Efron doesn’t shy away from the LGBTQ community. The High School Musical and Hairspray star has stated that would be interested in playing a gay character at some point in his career. As far as his sexuality offscreen, in a 2008 profile in Details, Efron responded to gay rumors (brought on by Perez Hilton), saying, “Honestly, if the worst he can say about me is that I’m gay, then I think I’ll be fine. I can handle it.” Commenting on his response later with The Advocate in 2012, he added, “I don’t like to live in fear about things like rumors and backlash to begin with—that’s the way I was raised—but I just can’t see what’s so wrong about being gay.”
Jake Gyllenhaal
Brokeback Mountain star Jake Gyllenhaal played a gay cowboy opposite the late Heath Ledger in the tender film so convincingly that he had people wondering about his real-life sexuality. In 2013, on Inside the Actors Studio, Gyllenhaal addressed the rumors saying that while it’s a “huge compliment” that people think he’s gay, he prefers “tits and a**.” Roger that! Gyllenhaal has been linked to Kirsten Dunst, Reese Witherspoon, and famously, Taylor Swift.
Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh played Superman in the 2006 film, Superman Returns. Some critics noted Routh’s portrayal of Superman was perhaps not as macho as previous versions, and speculated on the actor’s (and Superman’s) sexualities. “People will see the movie and realize that Superman is certainly not gay,” said Routh in response to the rumors. “And I am not [gay] as well, but people will have that discussion as much as they want.” Oddly enough, Routh reprises his role as Todd Ingram in the 2023 anime series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, in which the character discovers he’s bisexual. Plot twist!
Andrew Garfield
To prepare for his Angels in America role as Prior Walter, a young man living with AIDS in New York, British actor Andrew Garfield admitted that his preparation included watching seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, saying that he spent his Sundays with friends watching every season of the series. “This is my life outside of this play,” Garfield said. “I am a gay man right now just without the physical act.” He later clarified saying, “As far as I know, I am not a gay man. Maybe I’ll have an awakening later in my life, which I’m sure will be wonderful and I’ll get to explore that part of the garden, but right now I’m secluded to my area, which is wonderful as well.”
Ansel Elgort
Ansel Elgort gained notoriety after starring in The Fault in Our Stars, and then Baby Driver three years later. In 2014, rumors about Elgort’s sexuality started swirling, so the actor took to the site formerly known as Twitter to say, “Just in case it isn’t clear…I like girls. A lot. Also let me say if I was gay I wouldn’t hide it. Being gay or straight isn’t bad or good it just IS. U are who you are. Be true to yourself.”
Taron Egerton
Rumors about the Kingsman and Rocketman star’s sexuality started circulating when he shared a photo of a male friend on Instagram with the caption “Cutie. My boy <3.” Many people viewed this as Egerton’s way of coming out, but that wasn’t the case. In an interview soon after, Egerton cleared the air and said the Instagram post was just his way of dishing out the love to his friend. He added, “I’m not gay but two of my mates came out when I was 15 and it was a joy to support them because, as a group, we are all secure in who we are.”
Tyler James Williams
In June 2023, the Abbot Elementary and Walking Dead actor took to his Instagram stories to publicly address rumors concerning his sexuality. Williams stated that he is not gay, but is an ally of the LGBTQ community. He also emphasized the dangers and inherent homophobia in speculating someone’s sexuality based on their behavior and trying to out them.
Shawn Mendes
Canadian singer Shawn Mendes has had to announce that he is straight on multiple occasions. In 2016, he released a series of Snapchat videos addressing rumors about his sexuality stating, “I’m not gay.” Then, in 2018, he reiterated that he wasn’t gay in an interview with Rolling Stone, and again in an interview with The Guardian in 2019. In the Rolling Stone interview he says, “Maybe I am a little more feminine — but that’s the way it is. That’s why I am me.”
Daniel Radcliffe
The Harry Potter actor has worked with the Trevor Project in response to J.K. Rowling’s public transphobia and comments on gender identity. To that end, Radcliffe has spoken on the importance of helping at-risk youth by removing the stigma of coming out. Radcliffe, too, has had to “come out” himself, as straight. Speaking to MTV and addressing rumors about him being gay, Radcliffe said, “If people want to say that, they can. But I’m not. I’m straight.”
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