Rebel Wilson on the dark moment one e-mail changed her life forever
Rebel Wilson has revisited the controversy surrounding her 2022 coming-out during the first episode of Samantha Armytage’s new podcast, Act Two.
The 46-year-old – who shares two young daughters with her now-wife, Ramona Agruma – reflected on the moment she was “outed” by a Sydney journalist, a moment that ultimately prompted her to share her sexuality on her own terms.
Rebel Wilson said family ‘didn’t even know’ she was dating now wife Ramona before she came out. YouTube/@ActTwoWithSamanthaArmytage
“When you came out as gay, it wasn’t really at a time of your choosing,” Armytage began during their hour-long conversation.
Wilson recalled how she was given 48 hours to respond to a story the journalist planned to run about her relationship with a woman.
Wilson expressed she didn’t have a label on her sexuality and at the time, having “only dated men”.
The Bridesmaids star said she was “shocked” by the email. She thought, “in this day and age”, the press had moved on from reporting on a star’s sexuality.
“I just thought... well, this is my news to tell,” Wilson decided.
While she was excited to share her romance with the world, wife Ramona “was really worried” coming from a conservative country.
“There were people in our families who didn’t know at the point,” Wilson recalled.
Wilson said Agruma was hesitant to share their romance with the world because she was a private person. FilmMagic
“So we quickly had to tell people, and anyone who’s had to do that understands it’s not easy conversation sometimes.”
The Pitch Perfect actress decided to take control of her narrative and shared her love to the world on Instagram.
She said it was amazing to receive an outpouring of love and support from her post.
Rebel and wife Ramona share their first photo as a family of four. Instagram/@rebelwilson
“I’m more proud of myself and Ramona for [recognising] it’s our news to tell,” she added. “So we’re going to tell it before you.”
After the news made headlines across the world, Andrew Hornery – the journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald, which is published by Nine, the publisher of this website– apologised for what happened in an online column.
He vowed that the publication would “approach things differently from now on” and ensure reporters “always take into consideration the extra layer of complexities people face when it comes to their sexuality.”
After five years together and two years of marriage, the pair share two beautiful girls together; Royce and Rose Estelle.
Wilson agreed that she and her partner have had the “last laugh” after the scandal erupted, and now the duo couldn’t be happier.
“It’s now been five years, and my relationships with men never lasted that long! It’s funny how life can change
“I have a five-month-old and just coming up to four-year-old, and they are the cutest little things,” she told Armytage.
“I don’t work as much, and I don’t want to work as much. I love being a mum to them.
“My wife is amazing... She’s just a naturally brilliant mother. Whereas, I am more of the fun one.”
Armytage’s new interview series Act Two is available to watch on YouTube.
