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'I chose an inappropriate time to come out as queer' - Jameela Jamil on her disclosure

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Jameela Jamil at Billboard Women In Music 2019. Photographed by 
Emma McIntyre
Jameela Jamil at Billboard Women In Music 2019. Photographed by Emma McIntyre
Emma McIntyre

Jameela Jamil has said she chose an inappropriate time to come out as queer.

The Good Place star came out about her sexual orientation on Twitter last week after she was attacked online for signing on as the host of a new voguing TV show inspired by the legendary underground LGBTQ+ club scene.

While some fans praised her for being brave enough to go public about her sexuality, others suggested the move was calculated and designed to detract attention from the backlash surrounding her presenting gig.

READ MORE: Tyra Banks praises Gabrielle Union for her authenticity after America's Got Talent exit

In a post on Instagram Jameela acknowledged she could have chosen a better opportunity to make her announcement.

"It was completely overwhelming. The sequence of events was insane, a misunderstanding was left uncorrected for too long, and misinformation spread too far, too fast, then my timing was bad, and in a moment of distress and pain, personal things were blurted out because when you have a secret for decades and you’re traumatized, it always feels like it might just f****** burst out of you at any given moment, even the most inappropriate and unfortunate ones. I thankfully chose the most inappropriate and unfortunate time," she wrote.

READ MORE: Jameela Jamil says she doesn't care about 'feeling beautiful'

Jameela seems to be relieved about being finally free and continued, "Better out than in, and thank you for the thousands of messages of kindness and deeply personal letters from strangers and people I know, coming out to me privately. I don’t take it lightly and am happy for you that you felt ready to tell even one person."

Compiled by Futhi Masilela

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