Sasheer Zamata has come out as “one of those late-in-life lesbians.”
The “Agatha All Along” actress — who previously appeared on “Saturday Night Live” from 2014 and 2017 — explained that she doesn’t “necessarily” want her identity to be kept “private,” as she revealed she is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’m out in my life, and I do keep my personal life kind of private, but I also don’t necessarily want my identity to be private. I guess I’m one of those late-in-life lesbians. I just feel very comfortable and confident in my life,” she said, speaking to Them magazine.
The 38-year-old actress — who has also appeared in “Woke,” “Waco: The Aftermath,” “Home Economics” and more — reflected on being repeatedly cast as “queer women” in various projects before she had come to terms with her own sexuality.
“I kept getting cast as queer women. I played a lesbian on ‘Home Economics.’ I played a lesbian on ‘Woke.’ I played a lesbian on ‘Tuca and Bertie.’ A lesbian on ‘Last O.G.’ ”
“I kept getting these roles. And this is before I myself was figuring out my identity. I was like, ’Whoa, what are these casting directors seeing that I’m not seeing?’ ” she recalled.
Zamata decided to open up about her sexuality now because she didn’t want to keep “ignoring a part of [herself]” publicly, despite considering the idea of just not discussing it.
“No one asks straight people about their journey of discovery, but I guess it felt like if I didn’t say anything, I’d be ignoring a part of me, and that doesn’t feel very good.”
“But yeah, I’ve definitely had thoughts of, not necessarily keeping it a secret, but [that] there’s no need to say anything about it,” she explained.
She had praised singer Chappell Roan for setting her own boundaries with fans when it comes to privacy as a celebrity.
“As far as what people deserve to know? Nothing. They don’t deserve anything. I feel very fortunate so far. I have fans who are good about respecting my privacy, and I hope that continues. And I hope artists like Chappell Roan who are very clear about boundaries keep going,” she said.
