How Coming Out as Pansexual Helped Wayne Brady Develop into a ‘Higher’ Father

Wayne Brady publicly got here out as pansexual in a candid 2023 interview, sharing that he was finally opening up about his sexuality to live a freer life. In a brand new interview, Wayne Brady, best known for his time on television series like “Let’s Make a Deal,” “The Masked Singer,” and “The Daring and the Beautiful,” gave the world an update on his life since coming out, stating that living in his truth has only made him a greater person throughout.

Speaking with PEOPLE in 2023, Brady, 53, boldly told the publication, “I’m pansexual,” explaining that he’s interested in a variety of individuals, no matter their sex or gender. He jokingly described it as being “bisexual with an open mind.”

The actor shared that he began doing loads of self-reflection after Robin Williams’ death. “Once I opened that door to myself though, I had to begin learning about myself, and I had to begin owning as much as things that perhaps I’d either repressed, suppressed, or simply didn’t wanna cope with,” he said.

Brady added that one in every of his goals following Williams’ passing was to live an authentic life. “I actually have to like myself. And that is when I noticed that I had an issue because if I can spend every part on stage and on camera but then I come home and there may be a love deficit, what is occurring? That was my all-time low,” he shared.

At one other point within the interview, Brady noted that a part of the rationale he decided to return out was to assist him change into the “best” version of himself for those around him.

“I might be one of the best dad that Maile needs. I might be one of the best friend to Mandie, one of the best son to my mother, and someday, one of the best partner to someone, because I’m doing this for me,” he said.

In a 2026 interview, Brady gave the general public an update on his life since courageously opening up about his sexuality.

Brady shared that one in every of his hopes in coming out was “to assist the subsequent generation,” specifically to let “any little black [or] brown kid growing up in any hood — any town USA” know and consider that they might be whoever they wish to be.

Continuing, Brady said that publicly identifying as pansexual has made him “feel lighter” because he gets to be himself. He also said that being his authentic self has helped him change into a fair “higher” parent.

“That lets me be a greater actor. Lets me be a greater performer onstage. Lets me be a greater dad. Lets me be a greater partner to someone someday. I’m happier, I’m brighter,” he said.

In 2024, Brady, his daughter Maile Brady, his ex-wife Mandie Taketa, and her recent husband, Jason Fordham, starred in a Hulu unscripted series called “The Family Remix.”

Regarding their decision to showcase their recent normal as a blended family, Brady explained that it was “vital” for them to let viewers into their lives in order that they may “show what a family can appear like while you select one another.”

Brady and Taketa married in 1999 and separated five years later, in response to PEOPLE. Nonetheless, after time away and in search of skilled help, Taketa said the pair formed a beautiful friendship. “We’re soulmates,” she said, describing their dynamic.

A number of months after coming out as pansexual, Brady was the victim of a horrifying road rage incident, in response to a previous report from The Blast.

Law enforcement officials stated that Brady’s vehicle was hit by one other vehicle as he was driving in Malibu, California.

Following the collision, Brady and the opposite driver reportedly engaged in a heated exchange that escalated right into a physical altercation, leaving Brady “banged up.”

Brady called 911 following the incident, and officers positioned the opposite driver, charging him with battery, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run.

“Wayne is so upset about this incident with a drunk driver. As a father, he was just thankful it was not his daughter or anyone’s child coping with this,” a source shared on the time. “He kept considering what if it were his daughter.”