Love, Simon, X-Men Actress Alexandra Shipp Came Out

Alexandra Shipp is opening up about her sexuality and publicly coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community!

In an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, the 29-year-old actress (who is probably best known for her role in the groundbreaking gay, teen romantic comedy Love, Simon and for playing the young version of iconic mutant superhero Storm in the X-Men film franchise) revealed that she used to be scared of what people would think about her if she ever revealed that part of herself.

"I didn't come out until I was 28," she wrote. "Though I don't believe in regrets, this would definitely be #1 for myself. I denied denied denied. I struggled with not only my sexuality, but my femininity. I was scared it was too late. I was scared I wasn't going to be able to get work. I was scared no one would ever love me. Scared. Scared. Scared. It's exhausting being scared all the time. It's exhausting chasing other people's ideas and opinions of who you should be."

Speaking about how it's never too late to acknowledge who you are and how her journey to self-acceptance just took some time, she continued:

"Today I'm happy in ways I don't think my kid self could imagine. I get to be exactly who I want to be EVERY F*CKING DAY and it feels incredible!! It's never too late to be you. If I don't work because of a flawed, racist, and homophobic system, then it was never the right thing for me. I KNOW multiple someone's love me and I'm so fortunate and grateful for the love they show me on a daily basis. I'm not denying anything anymore. I'm not scared anymore. I have #pride in who I am and what I'm doing on this planet. I am myself and I love LOVE. Sure, we get a month. But for the past 3 years and for the rest of my life, I'll be celebrating every day. Because I choose me."

It's been a busy past few days for Shipp! Besides publicly coming out, she also starred alongside Lesbian Jesus herself Hayley Kiyoko in the music video for her latest single "Chance," and we are thoroughly obsessed with how much of beautiful, queer, cottagecore dream it is!

Congrats on living your truth, Alexandra! We're so proud and happy for you!

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