Sasheer Zamata is “one of those late-in-life lesbians.”
The Saturday Night Live alum, who next stars in the anticipated Disney+ series Agatha All Along opposite Kathryn Hahn, has come out as part of the LGBTQ community in a new interview with Them.
“I’m out in my life and I do keep my personal life kind of private, but I also don’t necessarily want my identity to be private,” told writer Amos Mac during an interview in Pasadena. “I guess I’m one of those late-in-life lesbians. I just feel very comfortable and confident in my life.”
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Zamata, who has a list of credits that also includes Woke, Home Economics, Tuca & Bertie and Waco: The Aftermath, commented on how she had been repeatedly cast to play lesbians on some of those projects prior to coming to terms with her sexuality. “I kept getting cast as queer women. I played a lesbian on Home Economics. I played a lesbian on Woke. I played a lesbian on Tuca & Bertie. A lesbian on Last O.G. I kept getting these roles. And this is before I myself was figuring out my identity. I was like, ’Whoa, what are these casting directors seeing that I’m not seeing?'”
As for why she decided to discuss it now, the 38-year-old talent explained, “No one asks straight people about their journey of discovery, but I guess it felt like if I didn’t say anything, I’d be ignoring a part of me, and that doesn’t feel very good. But yeah, I’ve definitely had thoughts of, not necessarily keeping it a secret, but [that] there’s no need to say anything about it.”
The wide-ranging interview also finds Zamata commenting on her career and pop culture, like the current headlines involving pop star Chappell Roan. “As far as what people deserve to know? Nothing. They don’t deserve anything. I feel very fortunate so far. I have fans who are good about respecting my privacy, and I hope that continues. And I hope artists like Chappell Roan who are very clear about boundaries keep going.”
