Wayne Brady Opens Up About his True Self: The Inspiring Journey of Embracing his Pansexuality

Wayne Brady admitted to feeling conflicted throughout the years due to his decision to keep his pansexuality a secret. In an interview with People on Monday, August 7, the 51-year-old comedian expressed that despite having a supportive LGBTQ+ community of friends, including gays, lesbians, trans relatives, and his niece whom he has grown up with in the entertainment industry, he felt like an imposter for not being honest with himself.

Brady expressed that he found it easier to advocate for Black issues, as it was a visible part of his identity. However, he struggled with being open about his sexual identity. He admitted to longing for the day when he could proudly say, "This is who I am, and I stand with you." In the past, he had convinced himself that his personal life was nobody's business, and that the world didn't need to know that he identifies as pan.

He continued, saying, "However, this granted me permission to continue hiding in the shadows and maintaining a secretive nature. But what does it truly feel like to not be burdened by shame, to no longer feel as though I have to withhold my true self from conversations? I made the conscious choice to break free from that pattern of behavior."

Brady shared that the first person he confided in about his truth was his former wife, Mandie Taketa. They were married from 1999 to 2008 and have a daughter named Maile Masako, who is now 20 years old. Brady's wife and daughter showed immense support when he opened up to them about his journey.

Taketa expressed, "I responded with a simple 'Great' as I believed that coming out would bring him greater happiness." As for Maile, she playfully said that she "shrugged" upon her father's revelation but couldn't help but smile.

Although Brady admitted to not having dated a man before, he acknowledged that he had felt an attraction towards men in the past, although he never acknowledged those feelings.

"I reside in today's society, which can be incredibly frightening. The quickest method to inflict harm upon another individual? Insulting them with derogatory terms, questioning their sexuality, undermining their masculinity, or using offensive language," Brady recollected when discussing his reluctance to embrace his true self. "I learned these behaviors at a very young age from those around me who suggested that such characteristics were negative. They made it clear that one should avoid embodying these traits."

He continued, "So what does it imply if I experience certain emotions? I do not believe I am gay, but what if I develop feelings towards another male... does that make me gay? I already endured bullying for various reasons, and I did not desire to exacerbate the situation by adding another layer to my struggles."

Initially anxious about revealing his true self, Brady has experienced a transformative change and now embraces a sense of liberation and authenticity.

"I'm still a work in progress. However, if I am in a good state of well-being, I can confidently take the stage on Let's Make A Deal, embodying the ideal Wayne Brady that everyone desires and anticipates," he elaborated. "I have the ability to be the father that Maile requires, the ultimate companion to Mandie, a devoted son to my mother, and eventually, an exceptional partner to someone, all because I am prioritizing my own personal growth."