Colton Haynes officially comes out: “I’m happier than I’ve ever been”
“It took me so long to get to this point, but I’m doing so good. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and healthier than I’ve ever been, and that’s what I care about.”
—Arrow star Colton Haynes, confirming to Entertainment Weekly that he is gay.
Haynes set the internet alight earlier this year after a Tumblr post from a fan regarding his “secret gay past.” It was a reference to a 2006 photoshoot for gay magazine XY in which Haynes kissed another male model.
“When I found out Colton Haynes had a secret gay past I got so excited,” the Tumblr user wrote.
“Was it a secret?” Haynes’ responded. “Let’s all just enjoy life and have no regrets.”
The resulting media firestorm and speculation over his sexuality sent Haynes into a tailspin.
“It was a complete shock. I wasn’t ready to be back in the headlines,” he told EW. “I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t feel like I owed anyone anything…. But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said.”
The impact on his mental health was so great, that Haynes checked in rehab for anxiety.
“People want you to be that GQ image that you put out, but people don’t realize what it’s like to act 24 hours a day. I’d go home and I was still acting,” he continued. “People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different don’t realize that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world.”
Now, though, he’s finally in a better place.
“It took me so long to get to this point, but I’m doing so good,” Haynes said. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and healthier than I’ve ever been, and that’s what I care about.”
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