Actress Jena Malone says she came out as pansexual on Instagram last week because of all the support she received.
“I feel like I’m a little late in the game to have less embarrassment,” the 37-year-old “Hunger Games” star told the Hollywood Reporter Wednesday.
“I’ve enjoyed the process of learning more about myself and others through different terms that open windows, which become windows then doors and then I get to a place where I find all these cool things.”
Pansexuality is defined as the “sexual, romantic or emotional attraction to people regardless of their gender or gender identity.”
In August 2016, Malone became engaged to her then-beau, Ethan Delorenzo – three months after they welcomed a child together. However, they reportedly broke up in 2019. Shortly after, the “Lovesong” star began dating musician Alex Ebert.
“The sexual journey is so beautiful,” Malone told THR. “I mean, all identity trips are so cool.”
On August 19, Malone posted a video of herself on Instagram doing an interpretive dance in her kitchen and captioned it: “I think it felt like I was a straight man in a woman’s body. I visualized his desires and imposed them on me.” me. But this was never the whole story that was meant for me.”
“So I’ve learned a new way of telling it. Using words to guide me does not define me. That my sexual identity has more to teach and tell me. Finding words that feel better to explore in my telling.”
She concluded: “Pansexuality. sapiosexuality. polyamory. A broader spectrum of understanding that my story demands of me. And I honor it today with this soft and sleepy piece of a dance. I like people. So there it is ❤️❤️🏳️🌈🏳️🌈❤️❤️.”
Malone shared with THR how her family dynamics made her feel more comfortable coming out since she was raised by “two moms.”
“My sister is queer and I grew up with two mothers who were lovers and then they broke up,” the ‘Stepmom’ star said.
“My mother became a little straight again, mainly because of a good understanding of Christianity. And then my godmother married her partner of now 17 years. So I have three mothers and my father who has been straight all his life.”
She added: “I have the whole spectrum. It’s nice to be able to have these different types of conversations with everyone. I feel really blessed to have a family that is accepting.”