Actor Luke Evans, who has starred in the films Dracula Untold, Fast 6, and the remake of Beauty and the Beast covers the latest issue of Attitude. Inside, he’s opening up about leaving home at 16, realizing he was different since be was 9, and throws a bit of shade at critics who claim he hid his sexuality.
“It was the last thing I had, because everything else I’ve given to the world. My career was public, I was photographed, and all that stuff. My personal life just became the last thing that I had. Also, what was strange was that when people did find out that I was gay, there was a lot of articles and stuff written saying that I was hiding it, and I wasn’t.”
He continues: “I just wanted to get online and I wanted to pick up the phone and say, ‘Do you realize I left home at 16 because I was gay?’ I went into the world as a kid, because I had to. I am proud and happy, and I’ve lived a very big life that I’m super happy with. And I’ve never been ashamed. And now all of a sudden I was being treated in this way and it was a scary moment because I was, like, oh God, this is horrible. This is not true. None of this is true.”
Luke wears tank top by Bassike, shirt by Armani, trousers by Ann Demeulemeester (Photography: Jordan Xinger-Xanger)
What is indisputable is that Evans’ Hollywood success puts paid to the myth that out gay actors can’t be bankable blockbuster leads.
“I hope that I’ve broken down a lot of barriers, just because I’m trying to represent my community, but I can’t represent everybody. And I certainly can’t please everybody. I just have to do it my way,” reflects Luke.
He adds: “I just try and be authentic, because this is who I am. I am this person. I’m not creating another image so that I can portray one to you.”
He also talked about coming out to his parents, who raised him as a Jehovah’s Witness:
Luke wears top by CDLP (Photography: Jordan Xinger-Xanger)
“As with a lot of parents, it was difficult for them to understand. And I think the religion is also a difficult thing, with added pressure. But it took time, and it took respect, and patience, and understanding, and acceptance of each other, which doesn’t come overnight. It was a very scary thing.”
I remember about 20 years ago when Luke starred in Taboo on Broadway he was out of the closet. I think where the criticism came from in regards to accusations that he was hiding his sexuality was around the time he started making the transition into making movies.
When you become quite guarded in regards to your private life in comparisons to when you were lesser-known in the public eye, it can be easily interpreted as you slithering your way back into the closet.
If you want to read the rest of the article, click here