Wayne Brady just publicly came out as pansexual, and what better way to celebrate than with a Celine Dion tune and Pride-themed choreography?!
In a recent interview with People, the comedian and game show host detailed his journey to self-acceptance wherein he realized he is "able to be attracted across the board."
"In doing my research, both with myself and just with the world, I couldn't say if I was bisexual, because I had to really see what that was, especially because I really have not gotten a chance to act on anything."
"So, I came to pansexual because — and I know that I'm completely messing up the dictionary meaning — but to me, pan means being able to be attracted to anyone who identifies as gay, straight, bi, transsexual or non-binary. Being able to be attracted across the board."
"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."
After the interview was published, Brady took to TikTok to share the moment with his fans by way of a hilariously over-the-top lip synch performance to Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back to Me Now."
Though the viral video is only 28 seconds, it is packed with lip-synched perfection by the Let's Make a Deal host along with some Pride flag-waving partner choreography—complete with a gorgeous lift—and a finale featuring Brady in a long wig and pink blazer surrounded by falling confetti.
You can watch the glorious celebration below.
@waynebrady As someone who gets to bring joy to others daily on tv, it's been ironic that I don't experience it as much as I'd like. I advocate mental health for all and a part of that is self transparency. In doing my work, I've come to see a few truths, one of them being that I want to be free to love whomever I want. This truth makes me Pan and part of the lgbtq+ family. It's scary as hell to say out loud but here it is. The people I admire the most are the ones brave enough to be themselves unapologetically. This shouldn't shake anyone's world, but if it bothers you at all, that's your business:) I was so afraid of having my manhood questioned, but screw that. A "real man" in my eyes, isn't afraid to be honest and happy. From now on, I'll be over here living my best life! I love you @Mandietaketa @Maile Masako @Jason
In the caption, the creator of this masterpiece was more candid about realizing his "truth."
“In doing my work, I’ve come to see a few truths: one of them being that I want to be free to love whomever I want. This truth makes me pan and part of the LGBTQ+ family. It’s scary as hell to say out loud but here it is."
“The people I admire the most are the ones brave enough to be themselves unapologetically. This shouldn’t shake anyone’s world, but if it bothers you at all, that’s your business."
“I was so afraid of having my manhood questioned, but screw that. A ‘real man’ in my eyes, isn’t afraid to be honest and happy. From now on, I’ll be over here living my best life. I love you.”
He then expressed his love for his ex-wife Mandie Taketa and daughter Maile—both to whom he came out first—and Taketa's partner Jason Fordham.
Viewers of the video expressed their joy that Brady found his happiness and is living his truth, and they welcomed him to the community with open arms.
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
@waynebrady/TikTok
In his interview with People, Brady revealed that Robin Williams' death in 2014 set him on a path to focus on his mental health, which led him to dive into suppressed truths about himself.
"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, suppressed, or just didn't wanna deal with."
"I've done a lot of work on a lot of other things until now, one of the last things on that checklist was, what's one of the last things that you need to be really happy and to be truly, authentically yourself?"
"I have to love myself."
And now, Brady is vowing to become the best version of himself possible.
"I don’t know about most, actually. I’m still coming together. But If I'm healthy, then I can go onstage at 'Let's Make A Deal' and be the best Wayne Brady that everybody wants and expects."
"I can be the best dad that Maile needs. I can be the best friend to [ex-wife] Mandie, the best son to my mother, and one day, the best partner to someone, because I'm doing this for me."
And we're excited for the journey ahead for you, Wayne.
Bravo!