Wayne Brady on Why He Waited Until After ‘DWTS’ to Come Out as Pansexual

Wayne Brady recently revealed that he almost came out as pansexual while he was a contestant on season 31 of “Dancing With the Stars.” “I didn’t want to hijack the show to talk about me,” he shared with Parade. 

In 2023 Brady, who came in third place on “DWTS,” publicly announced that he identifies as pansexual, meaning he is attracted to people no matter their sex or gender. “Bisexual — with an open mind!” was how he described himself in an interview with People. 

He was tempted to come out sooner while appearing on the show. He explained that after one of his performances, his emotions were running high and he almost said something then. 

“… there are times where your brain gets away from you, and I think I was going to bring something up like that because I’m always an ally …,” Brady explained to Parade.

He added that competing alongside “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Shangela was an influence as well. “… being there to support my brother-slash-sister, I almost spoke about it then … And I didn’t simply because it wasn’t my time,” Brady said.

Wayne Brady Has the Support of His Family

 

 

 

 

 

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When Brady was ready to come out, his ex-wife Mandie Taketa was the first person he told. Taketa and Brady were married from 1999 until 2008 and share a child together, daughter  Maīle Masako Brady. “I just said, ‘Great.’ As I knew coming out would help him be happier,” Taketa told People.

Brady also has a son, Val Henry, who he welcomed in 2022 with his ex-girlfriend Tina. And he considers himself a co-parent to Taketa’s son Sundance-Isamu who she adopted in 2021 with her partner, Jason Fordham.

“My ex-wife Mandie and I, we have a different — and I think a very special — relationship than a lot of people who co-parent,” Brady shared with Access Hollywood.

Brady’s Dating Life

It’s clear Brady is comfortable living out loud as an open pansexual, but that doesn’t mean his love life is especially eventful. “I haven’t been on a date,” the Broadway vet shared with Parade, explaining that parenting his kids, along with showing up for his professional obligations, hasn’t left him much time for relationships. 

Brady explained that he’d recently moved back into his home after the Los Angeles wildfires, and was busy getting organized and ready for his upcoming role on Broadway in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” But he does hope to find time to look for love in the near future. “Maybe when I slow down,” the actor said.