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Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey Says He Thought He Needed To Be Straight To Be Happy

11 March 2022, 17:40 | Updated: 24 May 2024, 18:03

Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey opens up about struggling to come out as gay. Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Dior, Netflix

By Sam Prance

Jonathan Bailey has opened up about his struggles coming out as gay and accepting his sexuality.

Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey has opened up about being a gay actor and why he struggled to publicly come out as gay.

Ever since Bridgerton first aired in 2020, Netflix viewers have been obsessed with Jonathan Bailey. Not only does he play the role of Viscount Anthony Bridgerton brilliantly but he has also become a heartthrob all around the world. Whether Jonathan is on screen, on stage or guest-judging on RuPaul's Drag Race, fans can't get enough of the talented 33-year-old actor.

Now, Jonathan has revealed that he used to think that he needed to be straight to be happy and have a career as an actor.

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Speaking to British GQ, Jonathan opened up about the advice one of his gay friends, who is also an actor, was told and how it "stuck" with him. He said: "At the time he was told, ‘There’s two things we don’t want to know: if you’re an alcoholic or if you’re gay.' All it takes is for one of those people in that position of power to say that, and it ripples through."

Jonathan then explained: "So, yeah, of course I thought that. Of course I thought that in order to be happy I needed to be straight."

However, his perspective changed with time. Jonathan said: "I reached a point where I thought, ‘Fuck this', I’d much prefer to hold my boyfriend’s hand in public or be able to put my own face picture on Tinder and not be so concerned about that than get a part."