James Haven, the actor and older brother of Angelina Jolie, has publicly come out as gay, sharing an intensely personal letter about his sexuality and the years he spent trying to understand — and eventually embrace — a part of himself he had long kept private.

Haven opened up about his sexuality during a livestream conversation with his former wife, Romi Imbelli, months after the pair split. The two, who married in 2024 and separated just days later, have since remained close friends and are now working together on a television adaptation of Imbelli’s book, with Haven planning to direct.

During the livestream, Haven read a letter explaining why he had finally decided to speak openly about his sexuality. Rather than focusing solely on the moment he came out, he took viewers back to his childhood — revealing memories he now sees as early signs of a part of himself he did not yet have the words to describe.

Haven recalled being fascinated by Disney princesses as a young boy. He said he would secretly put glitter on his cheeks and mascara on his eyelashes, describing those moments as times when he felt most like himself.

Looking back, Haven said he did not understand why those experiences felt so natural to him. As he grew older, however, he began questioning whether that side of himself needed to remain hidden in order to fit in.

That realization became central to his decision to come out.

Haven explained that he had spent years “dimming” himself in an attempt to fit expectations around him, but eventually reached a point where hiding no longer felt possible. For him, coming out was not about becoming a different person, but about allowing others to finally see the person who had always been there.

His letter also carried a message to his family and anyone else struggling with acceptance, expressing hope that people could choose love and understanding over fear and judgment.

Perhaps the most revealing part of Haven’s story was his description of the young boy he once was. The childhood memories that he may once have viewed as something to conceal are now memories he says he can embrace without shame.

The revelation marks a deeply personal new chapter for Haven, who grew up in one of Hollywood’s most recognizable families as the son of actor Jon Voight and brother of Angelina Jolie.

And while the public may focus on the headline surrounding his sexuality, Haven’s story is ultimately about something far more personal: the childhood version of himself he once felt he had to hide — and the moment he finally realized that boy had never needed to change.