Jerrod Carmichael reveals how his family reacted to his queer HBO special Rothaniel
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael opened up about his family’s reaction to his coming out in a new interview. On 1 April, the 35-year-old released his brand new stand up comedy special, Rothaniel.
Alongside his hilarious jokes, Carmichael publically came out as gay during the intimate special. While talking about his father’s infidelity, the TV star said he felt “like a liar” after the affair became public knowledge due to his own secret. “After that was out in the open, I was left alone feeling like a liar, because I had a secret,” he told the crowd. “One that I kept from my father, my mother, my family, my friends, and you.
Professionally, personally. And the secret is that I’m gay.” “I thought I’d never, ever come out,” Carmichael continued. “At many points I thought I’d rather die than confront the truth of that, to actually say it to people.
Because I know it changes some people’s perceptions of me. I can’t control that.” In a recent interview with Seth Meyers, the former SNL host gave insight into his family’s reaction to his sexuality. “My mom practices a lot of cognitive dissonance with it, or denial rather, so I have to come out every other conversation,” he revealed.
