While some celebrities embraced their LGBTQ+ identities at a younger age, others took their time and revealed their sexuality later in life. Actresses Sophia Bush, Cynthia Nixon, and Niecy Nash are among the stars who have developed feelings for a woman after entering their thirties, forties, and fifties. Paddy McGuinness's ex-wife Christine is another celebrity who came out as a lesbian following the breakdown of her marriage. But what is fueling the rise of the later-life celesbians?
Understanding the term 'celesbian'
A celesbian is a term for a female celebrity known or reputed to be a lesbian and popular within the LGBT community. The fact that gay marriage has been legal in the UK since 2014 and in the US since 2015 means that societally it has never been easier for someone to lead a happy and fulfilled life as a gay person. This goes some way to explain why more and more women of this generation and older might leave men for other women: it is just not an issue in the way it once was.
Christine McGuinness: A 'five star lesbian'
Christine McGuinness, 36, who was previously linked to former footballer Chelcee Grimes after they were pictured passionately kissing, revealed this week she is looking for 'a wife' three years on from her divorce from Paddy McGuinness. She and Paddy separated in 2022 after 11 years of marriage but continued to live together for the sake of their three children. The mother of three, who has dated both men and women, branded herself a 'five star lesbian' as she opened up on her sexuality, sex life, and love of 'Japanese bondage'. She told queer icons Amy Spalding and Gareth Valentino: 'I would love to have a wife one day, not like a legalised marriage, but like a blessing, a celebration of love and all of that.' Christine added that she loves a double life, keeping her family and home separate from her London life. She also revealed she will only use new sex toys fresh out of the plastic, and described herself as a 'Five Star Lesbian' in contrast to a 'Gold Star Lesbian' who has never been with men.
Sophia Bush: A new frontier
Sophia Bush, 43, who is dating girlfriend Ashlyn Harris, revealed in a personal essay for Glamour magazine that she now identifies as queer. The Chicago PD actress admitted that she is 'in love' with Ashlyn, who she became friends with in 2019 and started a romantic relationship with in October 2023 after her marriage to ex-husband Grant Hughes fell apart. Sophia noted that her bond with Ashlyn was rare and beautiful, saying, 'I didn't see it until I saw it.' She confessed that two months before tying the knot with her ex-husband she came 'close' to calling off the wedding but instead doubled down on being a model wife.
Jodie Foster: Coming out in 2013
Jodie Foster, 63, came out as gay in 2013 during an emotional speech at the Golden Globes. She had been in a 20-year relationship with female producer Cydney Bernard, with whom she has two sons. After splitting from Cydney, Jodie married wife Alexandra Hedison in 2014. Many interpreted her Golden Globes speech as a coming out, but she later told Variety that people were confused, as she had already come out to friends and family long before.
Cynthia Nixon: From Miranda to real life
Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon, 60, is happily married to her wife Christine Marinoni. The couple became friends in 2001 and started dating in 2004 after Cynthia's divorce from her husband Danny Mozes in 2003. Cynthia has said that her real-life journey mirrors her character Miranda's. Christine was Cynthia's first relationship with a woman. The couple got engaged in 2009 at a rally supporting same-sex marriage and married in 2012 after it was legalised in New York State. They welcomed a son, Max, in 2011.
Niecy Nash: Marriage to Jessica Betts
Niecy Nash, 56, secretly married Jessica Betts in August 2021. The Claws star did not reveal her sexuality until she announced the marriage on Instagram. Niecy, who has three children from her first marriage, revealed that she had never been with a woman before dating Jessica. She said her marriage is about Jessica's 'soul' and not gender, adding, 'I was not suppressing my sexuality my whole life. I love who I love.'
Meredith Baxter: Coming out in 2009
Meredith Baxter, 78, launched her career in the 1970s and became known for her role on a long-running series in the 1980s. After three divorces and five children, she came out as a lesbian in 2009 on the Today show, revealing that it was a later-in-life recognition. She was already dating her future wife Nancy Locke, whom she married in 2013.
