How Coming Out as Pansexual Helped Wayne Brady Become a ‘Better’ Father

Wayne Brady publicly came out as pansexual in a candid 2023 interview, sharing that he was finally opening up about his sexuality to live a freer life. In a new interview, Wayne Brady, best known for his time on television series like “Let’s Make a Deal,” “The Masked Singer,” and “The Bold and the Beautiful,” gave the world an update on his life since coming out, stating that living in his truth has only made him a better person all around.

Speaking with PEOPLE in 2023, Brady, 53, boldly told the publication, “I am pansexual,” explaining that he’s attracted to a range of people, regardless of their sex or gender. He jokingly described it as being “bisexual with an open mind.”

The actor shared that he began doing a lot of self-reflection after Robin Williams’ death. “Once I opened that door to myself though, I had to start learning about myself, and I had to start owning up to things that maybe I’d either repressed, suppressed, or just didn’t wanna deal with,” he said.

Brady added that one of his goals following Williams’ passing was to live an authentic life. “I have to love myself. And that’s when I realized that I had a problem because if I can spend everything on stage and on camera but then I come home and there is a love deficit, what is going on? That was my rock bottom,” he shared.

At another point in the interview, Brady noted that part of the reason he decided to come out was to help him become the “best” version of himself for those around him.

“I can be the best dad that Maile needs. I can be the best friend to Mandie, the best son to my mother, and one day, the best partner to someone, because I’m doing this for me,” he said.

In a 2026 interview, Brady gave the public an update on his life since courageously opening up about his sexuality.

Brady shared that one of his hopes in coming out was “to help the next generation,” specifically to let “any little black [or] brown kid growing up in any hood — any town USA” know and believe that they can be whoever they want to be.

Continuing, Brady said that publicly identifying as pansexual has made him “feel lighter” because he gets to be himself. He also said that being his authentic self has helped him become an even “better” parent.

“That lets me be a better actor. Lets me be a better performer onstage. Lets me be a better dad. Lets me be a better partner to someone someday. I’m happier, I’m brighter,” he said.

In 2024, Brady, his daughter Maile Brady, his ex-wife Mandie Taketa, and her new husband, Jason Fordham, starred in a Hulu unscripted series called “The Family Remix.”

Regarding their decision to showcase their new normal as a blended family, Brady explained that it was “important” for them to let viewers into their lives so that they could “show what a family can look like when you choose each other.”

Brady and Taketa married in 1999 and separated five years later, according to PEOPLE. However, after time away and seeking professional help, Taketa said the pair formed a lovely friendship. “We’re soulmates,” she said, describing their dynamic.

A few months after coming out as pansexual, Brady was the victim of a horrifying road rage incident, according to a previous report from The Blast.

Law enforcement officials stated that Brady’s vehicle was hit by another vehicle as he was driving in Malibu, California.

Following the collision, Brady and the other driver reportedly engaged in a heated exchange that escalated into a physical altercation, leaving Brady “banged up.”

Brady called 911 following the incident, and officers located the other driver, charging him with battery, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run.

“Wayne is so upset about this incident with a drunk driver. As a father, he was just thankful it was not his daughter or anyone’s child dealing with this,” a source shared at the time. “He kept thinking what if it were his daughter.”