Billy Dee Williams Unbothered By The Ongoing Rumor Surrounding His Sexuality: “I’ve Been Called A ‘Closet Queen’ But I Don’t Pay Much Attention To Any Of That”

Actor Billy Dee Williams is unfazed by the longstanding rumor regarding his sexuality.

In promoting his latest memoir, Williams confronted speculation about his involvement in the LGBTQIA+ community, a topic that some believed had the potential to damage his career. The actor shared that he’s always felt comfortable around LGBTQIA+ individuals, revealing his attendance at discreet gatherings in the Metropolitan Opera’s basement.

“It all seemed very normal to me,” Williams shared. “I was around it all of my life, so I never really gave it much thought.”

He added, “I’ve been called a ‘Closet Queen.’ But, I don’t pay much attention to any of that.”

This revelation comes a few years after Williams described himself as a “colorful” individual while speaking to the Esquire.

“I think of myself as a relatively colorful character who doesn’t take himself or herself too seriously,” he said at the time. “And you see I say ‘himself’ and ‘herself,’ because I also see myself as feminine as well as masculine.”

Shortly after, the LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign took to social media to applaud Williams for “coming out and living your truth as gender fluid.” However, Williams later clarified his remarks, asserting that he was actually speaking on “men getting in touch with their softer side of themselves.”

“I was talking about men getting in touch with the female side of themselves. I wasn’t talking about s*x, I wasn’t talking about being gay or straight,” Williams said to The  Undefeated. “People should read [Jung]. I mean, it would be an interesting education for a lot of people.”