Actresses Who Successfully Hid The Fact That They Dated Both Men and Women

The Hollywood spotlight often demands a level of transparency that many performers find difficult to maintain, especially regarding their romantic lives. For decades, many actresses chose to keep their sexual fluidity private, navigating relationships with both men and women away from the prying eyes of the public. Whether due to industry pressure or a personal desire for privacy, these women eventually shared their full truths after years of speculation or quiet dating. This list highlights actresses who navigated their diverse dating histories with discretion before publicly confirming their identities.

Aubrey Plaza

The ‘Parks and Recreation’ star maintained a very private personal life during her rise to fame, though she was publicly linked to actor Michael Cera. In 2016, she revealed in an interview with The Advocate that she falls in love with both girls and boys. Plaza explained that her family has always been supportive of her identity, which she had known since she was younger. She eventually married filmmaker Jeff Baena in 2021 after a long-term relationship. Her career continues to flourish with acclaimed roles in projects like ‘The White Lotus’.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson was in a high-profile relationship with actor Tracy Letts for many years before her dating life with women became public knowledge. She later entered a long-term relationship with actress Cherry Jones, which surprised many fans who were unaware of her fluidity. The ‘American Horror Story’ actress eventually found a lasting partnership with Holland Taylor, a relationship that has been public since 2015. Paulson has stated in interviews that she prefers not to label her sexuality, as her heart is simply fluid. She continues to be one of the most celebrated performers in television and film.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon was in a relationship with Danny Mozes for fifteen years and had two children with him before she began dating women. The ‘Sex and the City’ actress met her future wife, Christine Marinoni, in 2004, which marked a significant shift in her public persona. Nixon later identified as bisexual and queer, though she noted that she did not feel she had been “hiding” a secret identity during her previous relationship. She has since become a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and even ran for Governor of New York. Her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes remains a cornerstone of modern television history.

Kristen Stewart

During the height of the ‘Twilight’ franchise, Kristen Stewart was famously in a relationship with her co-star Robert Pattinson. Following their breakup, she kept her personal life extremely guarded while she began dating visual effects producer Alicia Cargile. Stewart eventually confirmed her fluidity during a monologue on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and has since been open about her relationships with women. She has frequently discussed the pressure to label herself and how she now values living authentically. Stewart received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in ‘Spencer’.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin rose to child stardom in ‘The Piano’ before becoming a household name in the series ‘True Blood’. While filming the show, she married her co-star Stephen Moyer, but she surprised many fans by coming out as bisexual in 2010. She made the announcement as part of a public service announcement for the Give a Damn campaign. Paquin has remained vocal about her identity, often clarifying that her marriage to a man does not change her bisexuality. She continues to balance a successful career with her role as a mother and activist.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood had several high-profile relationships with men, including a engagement to musician Marilyn Manson and a marriage to actor Jamie Bell. In 2011, she revealed her bisexuality in an interview with Esquire, explaining that she had been open about it with her friends for years. The ‘Westworld’ actress has since dated both men and women, including actress Katherine Moennig. Wood has used her platform to speak out about the challenges faced by bisexual individuals in both the straight and queer communities. She is also a vocal advocate for domestic violence survivors.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie was famously married to Jonny Lee Miller and Brad Pitt, but she also had a significant relationship with her ‘Gia’ co-star Jenny Shimizu. For years, her sexual fluidity was often overshadowed by her high-profile marriages in the tabloid press. She eventually spoke openly about her attraction to women in several interviews, confirming she had been in love with women in the past. Jolie has consistently maintained that she does not believe in limiting her heart to one gender. This transparency has made her a prominent figure in discussions regarding celebrity bisexuality.

Amber Heard

Amber Heard was in a long-term relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree for several years before her marriage to Johnny Depp. While she was open about her relationship with van Ree at the time, much of the public remained unaware of her dating history with women until later. The ‘Aquaman’ actress has described herself as someone who does not want to be labeled by her sexuality. She has dated both men and women throughout her life and has spoken about the importance of visibility in Hollywood. Heard continues to work in the film industry following various legal battles.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor spent most of her career keeping her personal life completely private while working on shows like ‘Two and a Half Men’. In 2015, she revealed that she was in a committed relationship with a woman, which was later confirmed to be Sarah Paulson. Taylor noted that she had never “come out” because she had never been “in,” as she simply lived her life. She has had relationships with both men and women throughout her decades in the industry. Her announcement was met with widespread support from fans and colleagues alike.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez was frequently the subject of tabloid speculation regarding her dating life while starring in ‘The Fast and the Furious’. She eventually confirmed her bisexuality in a 2013 interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating she had gone “both ways.” Rodriguez has been linked to both male co-stars and high-profile women like Cara Delevingne. She has expressed a desire for privacy but felt it was important to be honest about her experiences. Her career remains focused on high-octane action roles and voice acting.

Maria Bello

Maria Bello was previously in a long-term relationship with Dan McDermott, with whom she shares a son. In 2013, she wrote a poignant essay for the New York Times titled “Coming Out as a Modern Family,” where she revealed her relationship with Clare Munn. The ‘Coyote Ugly’ actress described the process of telling her son about her new partner and the fluidity of her feelings. Bello has since been engaged to chef Dominique Crenn and continues to advocate for diverse family structures. She remains a respected figure in both television and independent cinema.

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne first gained fame on the Disney Channel series ‘Shake It Up’ and was publicly linked to several male actors during her teens. In 2016, she came out as bisexual on Twitter after a fan asked her a direct question about her sexuality. She later clarified in 2019 that she actually identifies as pansexual, noting that she falls in love with the person rather than their gender. Thorne has had very public relationships with both men and women, often sharing her life on social media. She is also an entrepreneur and director.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson has been linked to several high-profile individuals, but she kept the specifics of her dating life private for years. In a 2018 interview with Porter, the ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ star revealed that she is attracted to both men and women. She discussed her close relationship with Janelle Monáe, though she did not explicitly define their status at the time. Thompson credited her family for creating an environment where she could explore her identity without fear. She continues to be a leading voice for representation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg rose to fame in ‘The Hunger Games’ and initially came out as bisexual in a 2016 Snapchat takeover for Teen Vogue. They later clarified their identity as gay in 2018, noting that their understanding of their attraction had evolved. Before coming out, Stenberg had been in the public eye without much discussion of their romantic preferences. They have since become a major figure in the Gen Z activist movement. Stenberg’s work in ‘The Hate U Give’ received significant critical acclaim.

Janelle Monáe

For the first decade of her career, Janelle Monáe maintained a “cyborg” persona that allowed her to keep her personal life entirely private. She avoided questions about her sexuality until 2018, when she came out as pansexual in a Rolling Stone cover story. Monáe revealed that she had been in relationships with both men and women behind the scenes for years. She has since used her music and acting roles in ‘Glass Onion’ to celebrate queer identity. Her transition to living openly has been hailed as a major moment for Black queer visibility.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne was a world-famous model before transitioning into acting with roles in ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘Paper Towns’. She was linked to several high-profile men early in her career, but her relationships with women like St. Vincent and Ashley Benson later became public. Delevingne has described herself as pansexual, explaining that her attraction is based on the individual’s soul. She has spoken candidly about the struggles of growing up in a traditional environment while feeling “different.” She continues to be a prominent face in both the fashion and film industries.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore has been married to three men and was a major tabloid fixture throughout the 1990s and 2000s. However, she has been open about her attraction to women since 2003, when she told Contactmusic that she always considered herself bisexual. Barrymore had relationships with women in her youth that were not widely reported by the mainstream media at the time. She has often spoken about the importance of being true to oneself regardless of public opinion. Today, she hosts her own successful daytime talk show.

Lili Reinhart

Lili Reinhart became a star through her role as Betty Cooper in ‘Riverdale’ and was in a long-term relationship with co-star Cole Sprouse. In 2020, she came out as a “proud bisexual woman” via an Instagram story while promoting an LGBTQ+ protest. Reinhart noted that she had known about her sexuality from a young age but felt hesitant to speak on it publicly. She has since advocated for mental health and body positivity alongside queer rights. Her film career includes a notable role in the 2019 hit ‘Hustlers’.

Dove Cameron

Dove Cameron spent several years in high-profile relationships with male co-stars, including an engagement to Ryan McCartan. In 2020, she came out as queer during an Instagram Live session, later elaborating on her identity in various interviews. Cameron explained that she had been “out” in her personal life for a long time but felt the need to clarify things for her fans. She has since released music that explores her queer identity and has dated both men and women. She recently starred in the musical series ‘Schmigadoon!’.

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson was known for her comedic roles in the ‘Pitch Perfect’ series and was generally private about her romantic life for years. In 2022, she revealed her relationship with fashion designer Ramona Agruma on Instagram, describing her as a “Disney Princess.” Before this announcement, Wilson had publicly dated several men, including businessman Jacob Busch. She noted that she had been searching for a partner and found what she needed in a woman. Wilson recently welcomed a daughter via surrogate.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox was married to Brian Austin Green for many years and was often portrayed as a traditional Hollywood bombshell. However, she has been vocal about her bisexuality since a 2009 interview with Esquire, where she stated she had no doubt about her identity. Despite this, her relationships with women were rarely the focus of media attention compared to her high-profile marriage. Fox has since been in a highly publicized relationship with Machine Gun Kelly. She continues to be a cult icon for her role in ‘Jennifer’s Body’.

Alia Shawkat

Alia Shawkat, best known for ‘Arrested Development’, maintained a quiet personal life while building a career in independent film. In 2017, she came out as bisexual during an interview with Out magazine, mentioning that she had dated both men and women. Shawkat discussed how her upbringing in Los Angeles allowed her to explore her identity with relative ease. She has been linked to various people in the creative industry but generally keeps her dating life out of the headlines. She recently earned praise for her leading role in the series ‘Search Party’.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi was married to documentary filmmaker Mel Metcalfe for three years in the late 1990s as she struggled with her identity. She eventually came out publicly when she began her long-term relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in 2004. De Rossi wrote about the difficulties of being closeted in Hollywood in her memoir, ‘Unbearable Lightness’. She has since retired from acting to focus on her business ventures and philanthropy. Her marriage to DeGeneres remains one of the most famous same-sex unions in the world.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash was married to two different men over a period of twenty years before surprising the public with her third marriage. In 2020, she announced that she had married singer Jessica Betts, a revelation that many fans did not expect. Nash clarified that she does not feel she was “repressing” her sexuality but rather that she fell in love with a specific soul. She has described herself as “label-less” and continues to enjoy a thriving career in shows like ‘Reno 911!’. Her story has been celebrated for showing that love can be found at any stage of life.

Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil rose to international fame in ‘The Good Place’ and was known for her outspoken activism on body neutrality. In 2020, she came out as queer on social media following a controversy regarding her involvement in a ballroom-themed show. Jamil explained that she had kept her sexuality private for years due to the fear of criticism within her community. She has been in a long-term relationship with musician James Blake while also acknowledging her attraction to women. Jamil remains a polarizing but influential figure in social media activism.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné was a major child star on ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘That’s So Raven’, keeping her personal life completely shielded from the public. She first addressed her sexuality in 2013 when she tweeted about the legalization of same-sex marriage, stating she could finally get married. In 2020, she announced her marriage to Miranda Maday, confirming her long-term preference for women. She has since discussed her past dating history, which included relationships with both men and women during her younger years. She continues to work as an actress and television personality.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz became famous playing Detective Rosa Diaz on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, a character who also came out as bisexual on the show. In 2016, Beatriz confirmed her own bisexuality on Twitter, much to the delight of her fans. She married Brad Hoss in 2018 and has spoken about how her marriage to a man does not erase her queer identity. Beatriz has been an active voice for bisexual visibility in the media. She also provided the voice for the lead character in Disney’s ‘Encanto’.

Abbi Jacobson

Abbi Jacobson, co-creator and star of ‘Broad City’, was generally private about her dating life during the show’s early success. In 2018, she revealed in an interview with Vanity Fair that she dates both men and women, provided they are “funny and doing great things.” She eventually entered a high-profile relationship with actress Jodi Balfour, and the two announced their engagement in 2022. Jacobson has balanced her acting career with writing and producing several successful projects. Her work often explores themes of friendship and identity.

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein gained critical acclaim for her roles in ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Booksmart’ while keeping her romantic life relatively quiet. In 2019, she revealed her relationship with Bonnie-Chance Roberts, whom she met on the set of ‘How to Build a Girl’. Feldstein had previously dated men and noted that she had never really thought about her sexuality until she met her current partner. The couple eventually married in a summer camp-themed wedding in 2023. Feldstein continues to be a prominent star on both Broadway and the silver screen.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is known for being one of the most private actresses in Hollywood history, having spent decades in the industry without discussing her personal life. While she was linked to men early in her career, she shared a long-term partnership with Cydney Bernard for many years before publicly acknowledging her. She famously gave a speech at the 2013 Golden Globes that touched on her need for privacy and her identity. Foster eventually married photographer Alexandra Hedison in 2014. She continues to be a powerhouse in the industry as both an actress and a director.

Which of these actresses’ dating histories surprised you the most when they first shared their stories in the comments?