Jameela Jamil admits the timing of her coming out was 'inappropriate'

Last week’s announcement that actor Jameela Jamil was involved with HBO Max’s new ball culture reality show Legendary did not get the warm reception Jamil, and likely producers, had hoped for. Instead, Jamil was criticized for her involvement in a show about an underground culture that she was not a member of, prompting Jamil to publicly come out as queer. The seeming knee-jerk response of sharing her sexuality did little to quiet naysayers and instead opened Jamil up to more criticism. The actor has now given herself a moment and has returned to social media to discuss the fallout and encourage others to come out only when they’re ready.The drama surrounded her involvement in Legendary was almost immediate, with HBO Max incorrectly identifying Jamil as the host and MC, a role that is being filled by Pose star and ball culture member Dashaun Wesley. In actuality, Jamil will be judging the show alongside Megan Thee Stallion, Law Roach and Leiomy Maldonado.

✌? pic.twitter.com/YcB6H7YCT0

— Jameela Jamil ? (@jameelajamil) February 5, 2020

When members of the ballroom community continued to question Jamil’s involvement in the show, the Good Place star decided that it was time to identify as a member of the LGBTQ community and come out as queer. This too caused its own backlash.

Being queer does not make you ballroom. Being any number of marginalized identities does not make you ballroom. The only thing that makes you ballroom is if you are actually from it. And most of us who are from it, sought it out when we had no one else.

— Trace Lysette (@tracelysette) February 5, 2020

In a new Instagram post shared on Monday, Jamil is revisiting what she describes as a ‘clusterf**k’ week and is encouraging others to only come out when they feel ready and safe. “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******g burst out of you at any given moment, even the most inappropriate and unfortunate ones,” she wrote.

 

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Well. Last week was a perfect clusterfuck. 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 fucking burst out of you at any given moment, even the most inappropriate and unfortunate ones. I thankfully chose the *most* inappropriate and unfortunate time, maybe ever, for mine. ?? So now you don’t have to feel embarrassed about yours. I PEAKED FOR ALL OF US! ?? But timing aside. 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. Do it whenever you feel the time is right, as long as you think you’ll be safe. Don’t feel bad for hiding it for as long as you need, and move at your own pace. But feel no shame about getting it off your chest and know you aren’t alone. There is a huge community of people who understand you, respect you and stand with you. On we go, hoping this week will be calmer than the last, and sending everyone the most love. Jam ?

A post shared by Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamilofficial) on Feb 10, 2020 at 7:29am PST

The actor went on to thank those who reached out to her with their messages of love and positivity since she shared her news, revealing that many strangers gained enough courage from Jamil to come out to her privately. “I don’t take it lightly and am happy for you that you felt ready to tell even one person.”Jamil ended her message by reminding her followers that it’s okay to come out and it’s also okay to remain closeted and move at one’s own pace. “There is a huge community of people who understand you, respect you and stand with you,” writes Jamil, adding “On we go, hoping this week will be calmer than the last, and sending everyone the most love.”