Jerrod Carmichael Comes Out as Gay During HBO Special
Jerrod Carmichael is coming out.
The 34-year-old comedian, who is hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend, came out as gay in his new HBO special Rothaniel, which debuts Friday (April 1), via Variety.
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The special was taped in February at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City, and includes stories about his coming out experience.
In one story, in which he describes catching his father cheating, he said: “After that was out in the open, I was left alone feeling like a liar, because I had a secret. 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.”
“I’m accepting the love, I really appreciate the love. My ego wants to rebel against it. 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 continued.
Rothaniel premieres at 9 pm EST on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.