Jonathan Bailey feared being gay 'would be a hindrance' to his career
Wicked star Jonathan Bailey has admitted he feared being gay "would be a hindrance" to his career but he was determined not to hide his sexuality and was "was willing to take that risk".
Jonathan Bailey feared being gay "would be a hindrance" to his career.
The Wicked star worried being open about his sexuality when he started out as an actor would cost him work but he was determined not to hide his true self and was "was willing to take that risk".
During a discussion with Sir Elton John as part of the inaugural Elton John Impact Awards, Jonathan explained: "I was well aware that [of] the possibilities and the limits of queer actors and what that means to an audience and whether that bleeds into commerce and how that affects it.
"So yeah, I think when I was in my early twenties, there was definitely an understanding that, to be gay would be a hindrance."
He went on to add: "I wasn’t gonna not hold my boyfriend’s hand in the street, and that was something that I felt so strongly in an animal sense.
"And of course if that meant that it was gonna impede any potential work, then I was willing to take that risk."
The 38-year-old actor admitted he felt grateful to see gay love stories on TV and in films such as 2005's Brokeback Mountain and he hopes the next generation won't feel as though they need to hide their sexuality from the world.
He said: "I wonder if the next generation just needs to know how to harness the joy that they can communicate to their fans and in the stories they tell.
"And just know that we’re gonna need it more than ever. Because obviously it’s a striking time where there’s a real threat that things can slip.
"But it’s an amazing thing, isn’t it? Generational relationships and being in a part of a community where we are all just benefactors of who came before us."
Jonathan is among the stars being honoured by Elton John Impact Awards which recognise trailblazing LGBTQ plus community members and allies.
Other honourees include Orange Is the New Black actress Laverne Cox, singer Melissa Etheridge, tennis legend Billie Jean King, country musician Orville Peck and pop star Chappell Roan.
The honourees are featuring in a series of podcast interviews with the Rocket Man star, who explained in a statement: "I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to connect us and challenge us.
"These conversations bring together the people who have shaped LGBTQ plus culture and fought for dignity at a time when the world too often looked away.
"Some are friends who stood beside me through the AIDS crisis, others are carrying the torch forward with the new generation. Hearing their stories and reflecting on how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go, is deeply humbling.
"This is history that cannot be forgotten and these are voices that must be heard."
