Wayne Brady has shared insights on how coming out as pansexual in 2023 has positively impacted his role as a parent to his children.
“I am pansexual,” he stated during an interview with People. “Bisexual — with an open mind!”
The entertainer and actor also revealed in August 2023 that the tragic death of Robin Williams by suicide profoundly affected him, leading to a journey of self-discovery.
“After Robin’s death, I got involved in certain groups, like Glenn Close’s group, Bring Change to Mind, being very vocal about mental health,” he mentioned to People.
“Once I opened that door to myself though, I had to start learning about myself, and I had to start owning up to things that maybe I’d either repressed, surprised, or just didn’t wanna deal with.”
Describing his personal challenges, the 53-year-old said: “I gave joy at work. But the pity is then I come home, and I don’t have that joy. I have joy because I love my daughter and I love my family. I love being a dad more than chocolate ice cream.
“But that can’t be my only joy. I have to love myself. And that’s when I realized that I had a problem because if I can spend everything on stage and on camera but then I come home and there is a love deficit, what is going on?”
In a subsequent interview with People, Brady highlighted how his life has improved following his coming out, enhancing his ability as a father to his 22-year-old daughter Maile Masako Brady, whom he shares with ex-wife, Mandie Taketa.
In 2024, Brady also disclosed that he is a father to son Val Henry, co-parenting with his former partner, Tina.
“I feel lighter, because I’m me,” Brady expressed. “That lets me be a better actor. Lets me be a better performer onstage. Lets me be a better dad. Lets me be a better partner to someone someday. I’m happier, I’m brighter.”
The Let’s Make a Deal host has previously stated that for him, being pansexual means having the capacity to be attracted to individuals who identify as gay, straight, bi, transsexual, or non-binary. Being open to attraction across the spectrum.
“And, I think, at least for me, for right now, that is the proper place. I took pan to mean that not only can I be attracted to any of these people or types physically, but I could be attracted to the person that is there,” he explained.