‘Sense8’s Brian J. Smith talks sexuality and self-acceptance as he leads Attitude’s December issue
The 'World On Fire' star joins Kesha, Bang Bang Romeo, Trevor Bell and Jonathan Agassi in our brand new issue.
By Will Stroude
Attitude’s December issue is officially here, and Sense8 star Brian J. Smith is leading the way as he appears on our latest cover and opens up about sexuality, self-acceptance, and finding freedom on stage.
The star of Sense8, BBC One’s World on Fire and US Jason Bourne spin-off series Treadstone gives his most candid and personal interview to date as he reflects on growing up in the closet in suburban Texas in the 1980s.
“Forget about any LGBTQ union or groups. There was absolutely nothing. I was completely alone”, the 38-year-old says in our new issue, available to download and to order globally now.
“I heard all the names: pussy, faggot. I could never be who I was. I was constantly having to check myself and make sure I wasn’t looking at someone too long or making someone feel uncomfortable.
“I had to be very, very careful about telling people the truth about myself.”
After finding a vital outlet for self-expression in acting, Brian, who landed his breakout role playing police officer Will Gorski in Netflix’s Sense8 in 2015, recalls how his family were overwhelmingly supportive when he eventually came out to them at the age of 30.
“I was surprised. When I came out to my parents they were wonderful. They said they were just waiting for me to say something”, he says.
Brian J. Smith, shot by Harol Baez exclusively for Attitude’s December issue
“They were a lot more advanced than I gave them credit for.
“I think that’s when I became OK with it, too. Just in terms of being, ‘Oh that’s the world, it’s not as dangerous as I thought it was’.”
Also in Attitude’s December issue, Bang Bang Romeo frontwoman Anastasia ‘Stars’ Walker discusses her position as one of the UK’s most exciting new queer talents.
Appearing on a second, special edition cover, the 26-year-old Yorkshire-born singer celebrates sexuality, self-love and body positivity after touring with P!nk this summer.
Meanwhile, we catch up with Kesha, who reveals how she’s putting a painful few years behind her and finding happiness with upcoming fourth album High Road, and spills the beans on her bisexuality, her boyfriend, and rediscovering her ‘big d**k energy’.
Kesha in Attitude’s December issue
BBC presenter Evan Davis is also on hand to offer some valuable life lessons as one of Britain’s most high-profile gay broadcasters, and we catch up with the heart of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK‘, Sum Ting Wong.
In Active, ‘Spider-Man’ Instagram star Trevor Bell poses for an exclusive shoot as he reveals how he turned his love of superheroes – and their costumes – into a careert that allowed him to turn his back on the traditional 9-5.
We also hear from Alex Morgan, the writer, campaigner and sexual assault survivor who’s learning to overcome personal trauma through the charity he founded, Stay Brave, which works to remove the barriers survivors of sexual violence face when reaching out for help.
Plus, former adult star Jonathan Agassi reveals the euphoric highs and crippling lows of life in the porn industry as a new documentary charting his life and battle with drug addiction is released.
That’s alongside all your usual news, reviews, fashion and travel, of course…
Attitude’s December issue is available to download and to order globally now.
Buy now and take advantage of our best-ever subscription offers: three issues for £3 in print, 13 issues for £19.99 to download to any device.