Does Aunjanue Ellis Have a Husband? She Once Said 'I'm Not the Marrying Kind'
Will Smith plays Aunjanue Ellis' husband in the biopic "King Richard," but in real life, Ellis says she is not the marrying type. Still, the journey to accepting her sexuality has not been easy, yet she has grown comfortable with who she is and hopes for more acceptance in the industry.
California native Aunjanue Ellis has been an actress for decades, with her versatility landing her some of the most desirable roles in films such as "Men of Honor," "Undercover Brother," and "Ray."
Besides film, she has also made history in off-Broadway theatre and TV. Her most recent role, playing Oracene "Brandi" Williams in "King Richard," has put her on the map and given her numerous nominations for the SAG Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and now Academy Awards.
Aunjanue Ellis attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Landing her role in the acclaimed drama, where she plays the mother of tennis players Serena and Venus Williams, took work. She disclosed that even if she had a winning chance, she still had to fight for the role with many more accomplished actors.
Her success in the industry aside, Ellis has maintained a very low profile regarding dating, with her love life remaining a mystery until 2022.
Aunjanue Ellis Calls Herself Romantic but Not 'The Marrying Kind'
Her numerous nominations have pushed her further into the limelight, and fans are, now more than ever, curious about her romantic life.
Aunjanue Ellis attends the National Board of Review annual awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on March 15, 2022 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
However, fans would be disappointed to learn that the actress, who starred alongside other Hollywood bigwigs such as Will Smith, Dylan McDermott, and Tony Goldwyn in "King Richard" is not married.
During a sitdown with Essence in 2009, she revealed that while she was romantic, she is "not the marrying kind." Ironically, the actress has played numerous roles as a wife but insists she does not want to marry in real life. She confessed:
"Well, I'm not married, nor do I want to be."
Aunjanue Ellis attends the AFI Awards Luncheon at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on March 11, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Aunjanue Ellis Revealed Her Bisexuality in 2022 but Said She Never Hid It
On March 24, 2022, the actress rose to the stage to accept her award at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, donning a red-hot Dolce & Gabbana suit with the word "Queer" spelled out in rhinestones. However, neither the press nor the other celebrities asked about it.
Ellis believes it's because they thought it spelled out "Queen," or maybe it was because everyone was too focused on the day's agenda to notice it. But, whatever the case, it was a big moment for the actress to open up about her sexuality to the masses, even though she has never really hidden it.
Aunjanue Ellis is seen during the 2022 15th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Luncheon at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on March 24, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Her family and the people she worked closely with over the years already knew about her sexuality, and she says the only reason she's never talked about it was that nobody asked.
Her acceptance of her sexuality has not been without its [un]fair share of lows. Ellis recalls a female costar being disgusted at the prospect of kissing a woman during a scene, leaving Ellis uncomfortable.
Aunjanue Ellis attends the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
And while such happenstances are regular, Ellis has long accepted herself, and in the grand scheme of things, that's all that matters. At 56, the actress is also unafraid to play characters her age.
Aunjanue Ellis' Path to Discovering and Accepting Her Sexuality
While she embraces herself for who she is, her journey toward full acceptance was not easy. Growing up in a God-fearing family, Ellis realized she was bisexual when she was eight. As a teen, she tried training herself to be attracted to men and hid her true self so people could accept her.
She even got into a relationship with a man she met at church that lasted eleven years. But in her 30s, something happened that would change her perspective on life.
She recalls hanging out with another female attendee of the Sundance Lab and walking by the stream. She looked down as the sun hit the water and heard the woman's laughter behind her, and she remembers thinking:
"This is how I'm supposed to feel. This is what I've been waiting to feel my entire life."
Since then, she has never turned back, and even though some of her family members have not been as accepting, the actress has learned to navigate the rejection and find comfort in her true identity.
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