James Haven, the older brother of Angelina Jolie, has publicly come out as gay by reading a heartfelt letter during a live stream. The 53-year-old former actor shared the emotional personal update alongside his ex-wife, The Real L Word star Romi Imbelli.
The video conversation was broadcast on Imbelli’s Substack on Thursday, August 6, 2026, where the close exes came together to discuss his coming-out journey and how it transformed their bond. The former couple married on August 12, 2024, but separated just 15 days later before officially ending their marriage in March 2025.
Imbelli also took to Instagram to share the news of her ex-husband’s sexuality. She wrote, “I wasn’t here to out someone I love. I was here to help set someone free. There is a difference. In return, he set me free.”
What did James Haven say in his letter?
During the livestream, Haven read an earnest letter about how he felt about his sexuality. The 53-year-old read,
“When I was a little boy, I was absolutely obsessed with the Disney princesses. I would sneak glitter onto my cheeks and swipe mascara onto my lashes, and for those moments, I felt like magic.”
“It was never about pretending to be someone else. It was about letting a part of myself shine that had always been there,” he continued. The former actor also added that as he grew older, he started to wonder if “that sparkle” was something he had to hide to be accepted by the ‘normal’ boys around him.
Haven added, “Like so many gay kids, I learned to question parts of myself long before I learned to celebrate them.” After dimming the light to fit in, he stated that he was tired of hiding who he was and wanted to come out by living his truth. He also explained that he wishes to tell a younger James to be himself.
“Coming out isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about allowing everyone else to meet the person who has been here all along,” Jolie’s brother continued. “I hope my family and others can choose love over fear, understanding over judgment, and connection over the beliefs that may have kept us apart. I hope they can look beyond the labels and simply see me with the same heart, the same laugh, the same soul they’ve always known.”
In the concluding statement, James said that he is proud of who he has become. He also feels grateful to be able to live his truth unapologetically.
“That little boy with glitter on his face and mascara on his lashes was never confused, broken, or something to be ashamed of. He was simply gay. He was joyful. He was brave before he even knew it,” his letter stated.
This article was originally reported by Christie D’silva on ComingSoon.
