Jaymi Hensley, X Factor Heart-throb Comes Out as Gay
Jaymi Hensley, X Factor heart-throb Comes Out as Gay
By Shaun Knittel
Best Gay News Magazine Staff Writer
X Factor(UK) heart-throb Jaymi Hensley has come out as gay. The Union J singer sought advice from his mentor on the show, Louis Walsh, who has managed top bands Boyzone and Westlife, about making his decision.
“Every boy band has got to have a gay one,” Hensley told The Sun in an exclusive November 17 interview. “And Louis just said ‘do it’.”
According to The Sun, Hensley is delighted he came out.
“I’m gay and I’ve never been happier,” he reportedly told the tabloid.
Josh Cuthbert, George Shelley and Jamie “JJ” Hamblett, his band mates in Union J, have always known that Hensley was gay.
“They have always supported me with doing this,” he said. “I didn’t want to do it in five years’ time when I have made money and had a career. I don’t think anyone should have to hide who they are.”
“I’d love my career to take off to the heights of One Direction,” said Hensley, signaling he doesn’t believe his decision will have a negative effect on the band.
The 22-year-old has been in a relationship with his boyfriend, 21, for three years. He declined to name his boyfriend, who is a hairdresser, but revealed the pair plans to marry and have kids.
Hensley says he decided to come out as he wanted to be honest with the X Factor viewers who have supported him and the band.
“I came out when I was 14 to my family and friends and never had one piece of negativity,” he said. “It is a brave move. There could be negative people, but they are just sad and stuck 20 years ago. I hope the reaction will hopefully be, ‘OK, we kind of knew, but well done on coming out’. I don’t want people to think I have hidden this to gain votes because I am so proud of who I am. I hope people respect me for being honest.”
Hensley shared another story about why he decided to come out as gay. “I got a tweet from a boy who must have been 13 or 14 asking if the rumors that I was gay were true,” he said. “He said he really wished I could be out because he didn’t have anyone to look up to and was finding it really hard to fit in and tell his parents.”
“I was that kid at 14 and really wish I had someone to say it was OK to be pictured on the red carpet with a guy and be gay in a boyband,” said Hensley.
He was also inspired by other talent show stars such as Will Young and Joe McElderry who previously came out.
“They’ve been an inspiration and hopefully I can be one too,” said Hensley. “If I can help just one kid out there, that is enough for me.”
