Comedian Jerrod Carmichael, 34, officially comes out as gay in new HBO special
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael has officially come out as a gay man in his new comedy special for HBO.
The shows airs Friday on the streaming service, just a day before the 34-year-old is set to host Saturday Night Live.
The HBO special titled Rothaniel was recorded back in February this year at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City.
‘I had a secret’: Comedian Jerrod Carmichael, 34, officially comes out as gay in new HBO special… days before hosting Saturday Night Live
In it, the comedian delves into his family history and his coming out process. Carmichael explains how learning that his father had cheated opened a door to reveal his own sexual identity.
‘After that was out in the open, I was left alone feeling like a liar, because I had a secret,’ he explains.
‘One that I kept from my father, my mother, my family, my friends, and you. Professionally, personally. And the secret is that I’m gay.’
At this point, there is a long silence before the audience begins to claps and the comedian seems relieved.
‘I’m accepting the love, I really appreciate the love. My ego wants to rebel against it,’ he says.
He also adds later: ‘I rebelled against it my whole life. I thought I’d never, ever come out. At many points I thought I’d rather die than confront the truth of that, to actually say it to people. Because I know it changes some people’s perceptions of me. I can’t control that.’
He previously alluded to his same-sex relationships in his 2019 special for HBO titled Home Video, where he said, ‘I’ve hooked up with dudes before.’
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