Despite the strides toward LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion over the past decade, the decision to come out as part of the community is still life-altering.
This can be uniquely true for celebrities, whose life in the public eye seems to bind them to particular art forms, lifestyles or dating histories that take time and effort to break out of. Yet, they do, in order to live as their authentic selves.
Enter Julia Fox, who came out as a lesbian on July 8 in a TikTok video. The actress' public coming out hearkens back to a long list of women who have come out as queer after 30.
Sandra Kushnir, the founder and CEO of Meridian Counseling and licensed marriage and family therapist, told Newsweek that stories like Fox's help pave the way for other LGBTQ+ people, young and old.
"Coming out is often a powerful act of self-affirmation and liberation," she said. "It plays a vital role in visibility and advocacy...When celebrities do come out, it can have a profound impact by providing representation and inspiring others to embrace their identities."
In her TikTok video, Fox stitched another creator who spoke about seeing lesbians with their boyfriends on the street and thinking, "Aw, you hate that man." Fox interjected: "Hey, that was me," she said. "I was that lesbian. So sorry, boys, won't happen again."
Here are five other famous women who came out after 30, increasing queer representation on our screens, and even in our favorite pop culture memories.
Sophia Bush
A recent celebrity coming out story hails from Sophia Bush. The 42-year-old actress known for One Tree Hill and Chicago P.D. penned an essay for Glamour in April reflecting on her decision to live openly queer after a divorce—and a tumble through the internet rumor mill. She began dating her current partner, pro soccer player Ashlyn Harris, in 2023.
"I sort of hate the notion of having to come out in 2024," she wrote. "But...there were more than 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills proposed in state legislatures in 2023, so for that reason I want to give the act of coming out the respect and honor it deserves.
"I've experienced so much safety, respect, and love in the queer community, as an ally all of my life, that, as I came into myself, I already felt it was my home. I think I've always known that my sexuality exists on a spectrum. Right now I think the word that best defines it is 'queer'. I can't say it without smiling, actually. And that feels pretty great."
Niecy Nash
You know Niecy Nash from the 54-year-old's long career as an actress, comedian and television host, with roles in Reno 911!, Guess Who and Claws. In August 2020, Nash announced her marriage to singer Jessica Betts. Since then, she has spoken openly about her sexuality in interviews and speeches.
"Now, if I'm honest, I never saw this life for myself," Nash said during an acceptance speech at the GLAAD Media Awards in March. "I was always an ally, but now I am a card-carrying member! And I often get asked the question, 'Niecy, what was it like for you when you came out?' And I always say, 'Came out of where, baby?' I was never anywhere to come out of!"
"I loved boys until I didn't," she continued. "I loved them until I encountered the most beautiful soul I've ever met."
Rebel Wilson
Among coming out stories that are agentive and self-led, the strength in Rebel Wilson's story lies in how she handled a situation that was out of her control.
The 44-year-old actress known for her roles in films like Pitch Perfect was approached by a journalist who had requested comment from Wilson about her relationship with fashion designer Ramona Agruma in 2022. Despite the surprise, Wilson took back the narrative with an air of empowerment when she posted a photo of her and Agruma on Instagram.
The caption read: "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince...but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess #loveislove."
Stacy London
Famed host of TLC's What Not To Wear Stacy London is out and proud at 55. The revelation came when she was 50, when she announced on Instagram that she was in her "first serious relationship with a woman."
London's decision to go public came, in part, from public speculation about her sexuality. At the time, photos of her and musician Cat Yezbak were circulating on Twitter, leading London to comment.
"I may as well address all the stuff I hear floating around out there," she wrote in an Instagram post featuring photos of her and Yezbak. "2019 has been a crazy year for lots of reasons...But as with most of life, there has been such incredible joy as well and the person most responsible for that is @catyezbak, who is my girlfriend and has been for over a year. Some of you may have guessed that already."
She continued: "It's really easy for me, a privileged white woman who is 50, to suddenly say 'I'm dating a woman' with very few repercussions...I stand on the shoulders of a community that fought like h*ll for me to be able to do that openly and proudly and easily."
Cynthia Erivo
During a speech at the Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala, where she was honored with the Schrader Award, Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo spoke about her experience as a Black, queer artist portraying characters with depth and complexity.
"Claiming my queerness in public—and particularly, in the public eye—has meant taking a risk in order to claim my freedom," Erivo said. "It seems that, all over, we are keen on seeing the world in black-and-white rather than embracing the difficult (but beautiful) complexities of our humanity."
Erivo came out as bisexual in 2022. In an interview with British Vogue featuring LGBTQ+ creatives, Erivo explained that she feels many queer people "still feel the need to be constantly justifying why we deserve to be treated as equal beings when really the only difference is that we love differently and we express ourselves differently."
She continued: "Rather than being chastised for that, we should be commended for being brave. That's the most important thing: giving people the space to show up fully as who they are."
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