Amber Heard became immediately “attached to a label” after she came out as bisexual in 2010.
The ‘Magic Mike XXL’ star didn’t consider it a big deal to reveal her sexuality but soon realised the “gravity” of what she had said.
She shared: “I just answered honestly. I could tell by the look on this person’s face it was a big deal. My poor publicist. Then I realised the gravity of what I had done and why so many people – studio execs, agents, advisors – did not want this coming before my name.
“I became attached to a label. I’ve never seen myself defined by the person I’m with. I saw myself being in this unique position and having a unique responsibility. So, I bit the bullet.”
And her admission was not met with kind comments by some, who branded her sexuality as problematic.
She added: “As a leading lady, there’s a certain amount of wish fulfillment. I was asked, ‘How is anyone going to invest in you romantically if they think you’re unavailable?’ I said, ‘Watch me do it.'”
And Amber felt she did prove people wrong as she is now one of many “romantic leading ladies who are out and fluid”.
Speaking at The Economist’s second annual Pride & Prejudice event in New York City, she said: “I stand here now amongst many of my romantic leading lady peers who are out and fluid. I’m one of many now, and I’m working … If we’re meant to reflect the world around us, the whole point of telling stories and reaching audiences is to challenge the status quo, to push the envelope. Not just to meet the status quo.
“We’re in a unique position to do this. We need to be actively pushing … If every gay man that I know personally in Hollywood came out tomorrow, then this would be a non-issue in a month. We have a long way to go.”
Photo Credit: BANG Showbiz
