Jameela Jamil Reflects on Her Coming Out

Last week, Jamil was announced as an emcee and judge on the new voguing competition show. However, given her past advocacy for diverse media representation, many wondered why she accepted the role as an apparent cis-het woman, especially as a non-Black person with little connection to the ballroom scene.

In response, Jamil clarified that she was only a judge on the show and also decided to come out as queer — a revelation that led to further scrutiny thanks to its timing. And now, The Good Place star is elaborating on her announcement.

Related | Jameela Jamil Comes Out as Queer Amidst Legendary Backlash

Earlier today, Jamil posted a selfie to her Instagram and wrote that last week's events were "completely overwhelming" and the "perfect clusterfuck."

Calling it "a misunderstanding was left uncorrected for too long," she attributed some of the backlash to "misinformation spread too far, too fast," before admitting that she "chose the *most* inappropriate and unfortunate time, maybe ever" to come out.

"In a moment of distress and pain, personal things were blurted out because when you have a secret for decades and you're traumatized," Jamil said. "It always feels like it might just fucking burst out of you at any given moment, even the most inappropriate and unfortunate ones."

Apart from the timing though, Jamil went on to say that she felt much "better out than in," and that she appreciated the messages of support in the wake of her announcement. Not only that, but she also thanked those who had apparently come out to her privately — something she said she doesn't take "lightly."

"Do it whenever you feel the time is right, as long as you think you'll be safe. Don't feel bad for hiding it for as long as you need, and move at your own pace. But feel no shame about getting it off your chest and know you aren't alone," she concluded. "There is a huge community of people who understand you, respect you and stand with you."

Read Jamil's post in its entirety, below.

View this post on Instagram

Well. Last week was a perfect clusterfuck. It was completely overwhelming. The sequence of events was insane, a misunderstanding was left uncorrected for too long, and misinformation spread too far, too fast, then my timing was bad, and in a moment of distress and pain, personal things were blurted out because when you have a secret for decades and you’re traumatized, it always feels like it might just fucking burst out of you at any given moment, even the most inappropriate and unfortunate ones. I thankfully chose the *most* inappropriate and unfortunate time, maybe ever, for mine. 👌🏽 So now you don’t have to feel embarrassed about yours. I PEAKED FOR ALL OF US! 👊🏽 But timing aside. Better out than in, and thank you for the thousands of messages of kindness and deeply personal letters from strangers and people I know, coming out to me privately. I don’t take it lightly and am happy for you that you felt ready to tell even one person. Do it whenever you feel the time is right, as long as you think you’ll be safe. Don’t feel bad for hiding it for as long as you need, and move at your own pace. But feel no shame about getting it off your chest and know you aren’t alone. There is a huge community of people who understand you, respect you and stand with you. On we go, hoping this week will be calmer than the last, and sending everyone the most love. Jam 🌈

A post shared by Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamilofficial) on Feb 10, 2020 at 7:29am PST

Photo via Getty