Jerrod Carmichael Comes Out As Gay In New HBO Special!
Actor and stand-up comedian Jerrod Carmichael has officially come out as gay.
The star of the three-season NBC sitcom “The Carmichael Show” came out during his new HBO special “Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel,” which premieres this Friday. In it, the 34-year-old opens up about his family life and how it tied into his own coming-out journey. He discussed secrets that were kept during his parents’ marriage, including his father’s infidelity. Once it was “out in the open,” he says, “I was left alone feeling like a liar because I had a secret — one that I kept from my mother and my father, my family, my friends and you, all of you… and the secret is that I’m gay.”
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According to Variety, the audience was left silent for a few seconds before bursting into applause. It was said that one woman even shouted, “We love you!” right after. Carmichael went on to say, “I’m accepting the love, I really appreciate the love. My ego wants to rebel against it,” he replied on stage, later adding, “I rebelled against it my whole life. I thought I’d never, ever come out. At many points, I thought I’d rather die than confront the truth of that, to actually say it to people. Because I know it changes some people’s perceptions of me. I can’t control that.”
Fans will get to see more of Carmichael as he is set to make his “SNL” hosting debut, joined by musical guest Gunna. Carmichael’s hosting debut will air this Saturday.