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Colton Haynes On Publicly Coming Out: ‘I’m Happier Than I’ve Ever Been’

The former <i>Teen Wolf</i> and <i>Arrow</i> star has officially come out as gay

Colton Haynes is not only ready to launch a new phase in his career, but he’s also ready to let fans in on his personal life.

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the 27-year-old actor ended speculation about his sexuality by officially coming out as gay. Rumors had begun circulating in January, after he reblogged someone’s Tumblr post about his “secret” gay past, writing, “Was it a secret? Let’s all just enjoy life & have no regrets :)”

Haynes told EW, “I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn’t ready. 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.”

Haynes said that after the Tumblr incident, he checked himself into rehab for “terminal anxiety,” and would frequently revisit the hospital over the next few months. He even left his roles on Teen Wolf and Arrow to focus on himself and his health.

“I asked to step away because I cared more about my mental and physical health than my career at the time,” he explained, adding, “People want you to be that GQ image that you put out, but people don’t realize what it’s like to act 24 hours a day. I’d go home and I was still acting. People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different don’t realize that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world.”

Nowadays, however, Haynes says he’s in a much better place, and is looking forwarding to new opportunities in the film, theater, and fashion industries.

“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.”

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