Arrow star Colton Haynes comes out as gay after racy photo leak: 'It took me so long to get to this point'
By Yasmin Vought| 4 years ago
Arrow hottie Colton Haynes is ready to let fans in on his personal life…but it hasn't been an easy path.
The actor, who played hooded vigilante Arsenal in the superhero TV series, told Entertainment Weekly that his family and friends have known about his sexuality for quite some time, but he hadn't felt comfortable about coming out until now.
"I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn't ready," he said. "I didn't feel like I owed anyone anything.
"I think in due time, everyone has to make those decisions when they're ready, and I wasn't yet. But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said."
Rumours of Colton's sexual preferences began circulating in January, after he re-blogged a Tumblr post about his "secret gay past", containing racy photos from his modelling past.
"Was it a secret?" he commented on the post. "Let's all just enjoy life and have no regrets."
After his telling response to the blog post was picked up by reporters, Colton struggled to deal with the added public pressure to come out.
"It was a complete shock," he said. "I wasn't ready to be back in the headlines."
This, coupled with his mental health struggles, was the reason why the star ended up leaving his highly prized role on Arrow before checking himself into rehab with clinical anxiety.
"I asked to step away because I cared more about my mental and physical health than my career at the time," he said. "I've had terminal anxiety my entire life. Physically ill, fainting. I'm 27 years old, and I have an ulcer. I had to step back.
"People want you to be that GQ image that you put out, but people don't realise what it's like to act 24 hours a day. I'd go home and I was still acting.
"People who are so judgemental about those who are gay or different don't realise that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world."
Much needed fam time with my bro @joshuahaynes , his hubby @scottculley , and my lil niece Wren who needs a nap :)
A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on Jul 29, 2014 at 1:40pm PDT
The Kansas-born star, who also has a gay sibling, seems to be in a much better place these days, and would even be keen to eventually make his return to Arrow.
"It took me so long to get to this point, but I'm doing so good," he said. "I'm happier than I've ever been, and healthier than I've ever been, and that's what I care about."
For the time being, the actor is focusing on returning to his modelling roots by starting up his own fashion line.
We are loving that idea! First point of call, hook us up with some personalised Arrow hoodies, Colton!
Related video: Colton's Arrow co-star Stephen Amell takes out WWE wrestler after getting punched in the face...
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