Some days, you just don’t want to move. You feel stuck in the darkness, thinking, “You know what? I’m just going to sit here and wallow in this pain because it’s what I deserve. I’m that horrible of a person.” It’s hard to believe that someone like Wayne Brady, who always seemed so full of life and happiness, has been secretly battling depression for years. I really wish I had spoken out earlier because there’s something powerful about shedding light on those hidden struggles. Those secrets can be deadly.
As it turns out, social media was spot on about Wayne being in the closet. On top of battling depression, he has struggled with his sexuality for decades. His TikTok coming out video was quite a revelation—he announced he was pansexual while washing a paper plate. Let’s dive deeper into Wayne Brady’s journey as a Black man in a society where mental health issues are often dismissed as problems for “white and crazy people” and there is little room for the LGBTQIA+ community. Despite these challenges, Wayne continues to fight and heal every day.
Navigating emotions as a man can be quite the journey. There’s this unspoken pressure ingrained in us, a sense that we’re supposed to tough it out without showing vulnerability. Wayne’s own struggles trace back to his youth, battling a stutter that plagued him. It wasn’t until high school, when he stumbled into a play at a friend’s invitation, that he found solace in the performing arts. Stepping onto that stage, his stutter magically disappeared, sparking a love affair with acting. He immersed himself in improv, feeling like he’d finally found his groove. In ’96, he took a leap of faith and headed to LA to chase his dreams. Just two years later, he snagged a spot on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
Here’s a fun twist: things you can say about your house but not your partner: “Senor, is it okay if I start on the back now?”
Over the years, Wayne’s career soared. From hosting “The Wayne Brady Show” to gracing Broadway stages and lighting up screens big and small, he racked up five Emmy Awards and even nabbed a Grammy nod. And who could forget his infectious charm as the host of “Let’s Make a Deal”?
What we saw on TV was all the glitz and glam, but once the cameras switched off, Wayne Brady was going through some really tough times. He was dealing with serious bouts of depression and even thought about ending it all. I remember being alone in my bedroom and just breaking down completely. It was a shock because here’s this guy, this funny comedian, seemingly living his best life, but in reality, he was silently fighting his own battles. People always assumed he was happy all the time, but that wasn’t the case. Wayne reminded everyone that he’s human, with his own ups and downs. By the time he hit his thirties, Wayne couldn’t ignore his mental health struggles anymore. It all came to a head on his 42nd birthday when he realized he had hit rock bottom. When he talks about his breakdown, it’s real – just imagine a guy in his underwear, crying alone in his room, with snot everywhere. That birthday was a turning point for him, the moment he knew he had to make some serious changes.
He also mentioned how deeply he was affected by the tragic passing of Robin Williams, who sadly took his own life after battling depression for a long time. Wayne also gave credit to his ex-wife and business partner, Mandy Takeda, for encouraging him to seek therapy and helping him realize that therapy is for everyone, not just certain groups. Another significant loss for Wayne was his grandmother. You know how he always ended each episode of “Let’s Make a Deal” with “I love you, Mom”? That was his way of honoring his grandmother Valerie, who raised him. Wayne’s mother was only 17 when he was born and couldn’t afford to raise him, so Valerie became his primary caregiver. When Valerie started experiencing memory issues in 2018, Wayne became her caregiver until she passed away. Losing the woman who had been like a mother to him deeply affected Wayne.
Recently, he opened up about being pansexual in an interview with People. He shared his journey of grappling with both his sexuality and love addiction. Wayne explained that while trying to understand himself, he didn’t feel that the term bisexual fully encapsulated his experience. According to him, being pansexual means being attracted to anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity – whether they identify as gay, straight, bi, transsexual, or non-binary. Looking back, he realized that his past interviews about struggling with depression also tied into his exploration of his sexuality. He questioned the societal norms that discourage men from expressing vulnerability, fearing they’ll be perceived as weak. He believes these expectations are harmful and contribute to immense suffering.
In a recent interview with People, Wayne Brady opened up about his ongoing therapy journey and his struggle to shake off the weight of others’ opinions. Despite wishing he didn’t care so much about what people think, he confessed that he does. Initially, he was fine with keeping his personal life under wraps, even his pansexual identity. But he realized that this secrecy only allowed him to hide and avoid being true to himself. Despite having a supportive LGBTQ+ community, including lifelong friends from the entertainment industry and transgender relatives, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of being a fraud for not living authentically. Finally, he’s ready to embrace who he truly is.
Switching gears to his love life, it’s been a bumpy road for Wayne. He was married to Diana Lasso from 1993 to 1995, followed by a marriage to Mandy Takeda in 1999, which ended in divorce in 2007. While Mandy has been a pillar of support, Wayne’s current relationship status is up in the air. Addressing rumors about his past relationships with men, he admitted to being attracted to certain men but explained that societal norms and fear have often kept him from exploring those feelings.
Many had their suspicions about Wayne’s sexual orientation for quite some time. Remember that intense rant on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” questioning Wayne’s authenticity? It went something like, “Wayne, are you really gay, or are you just jumping on the LGBTQ+ bandwagon? My money’s on gay! Ever read what the Bible says about homosexuality? Didn’t think so, ’cause God didn’t consult me about my anatomy. Sorry, but you won’t be getting into Heaven. And who’s cozying up to you, Satan or Lucifer? It’s like she’s in on the secret AKAs you’re following.” And let’s not forget that daring drag performance in heels — a dead giveaway, right? But even though Wayne’s recent revelation wasn’t exactly shocking news to many, it stirred up quite the mixed bag of reactions from his fans. While the LGBTQ+ community and others showed overwhelming support, there were also those who decided they wouldn’t be tuning in anymore. And then there were the skeptics, questioning the timing of it all, speculating that Wayne was just trying to beat someone else to the punch.
I’m really interested in Wayne Brady’s journey with mental health and sexuality. Do you think there’s a connection between the two? Were you already suspicious about his sexual orientation before he came out? And do you think he decided to come out to control the narrative? Drop your thoughts below, and I’ll see you in my next video.
