Diverse Identities: Aromantic & Asexual Celebrities

Bradford Cox, frontman of 'Deerhunter' and 'Atlas Sound', has described himself as asexual in interviews. In an interview with 'Rolling Stone' in 2011, he mentioned that while he used to identify as asexual, he now sees himself as queer. Cox explained that asexuality served as a comfort zone where he felt less vulnerable to rejection due to low self-esteem.

Michaela Coel, a British writer and actor, is famous for her roles in 'Chewing Gum,' 'Black Mirror,' and 'Black Earth Rising.'

In a 2014 interview, Michaela shared, "I googled aromanticism and I very much felt like, 'Oh, that’s me.'" She expressed contentment with being alone and emphasized her preference for intimate relationships without the need for change.

Shortly after coming out in 2015, Caitlyn Jenner told Diane Sawyer in an interview that she was identifying as "asexual" at that time. She mentioned that she would continue to explore and learn more about herself in the coming year.

Yasmin Benoit, a writer, model, and activist, works to improve how asexuality is portrayed in media. She started the #ThisIsWhatAnAsexualLooksLike hashtag and helped create International Asexuality Day. Yasmin is confident and comfortable in her body, highlighting the intersection of being Black, asexual, and aromantic. Her work brings attention to the underrepresentation of these identities in society.

During her time at boarding school, Temple Grandin chose not to pursue romantic relationships. In a 2013 interview with 'The New York Times Magazine', she expressed relief that her sexual urges had diminished with age, saying, "Now I’m old enough to where [sexual urges are] all gone, and it’s like, good riddance."

Comedian Paula Poundstone identifies as asexual. She explains, "I simply don't enjoy the act, and I'm not super interested in talking about it." Poundstone elaborates, "It's very messy. It involves much more work than I'm willing to put out. The idea that I'd go to my room after everything else I go through in a day and that there'd be someone in my room that might expect something like that from me – I just can't even."

Musician Emilie Autumn identifies as asexual and has mentioned that she never "disliked sex." This shows that being asexual doesn't mean you can't enjoy sexual experiences.

Alice Oseman, the author of the widely-loved Heartstopper graphic novels, proudly identifies as asexual and aromantic. They discovered these aspects of themselves during their time at university. Alice has voiced frustration with interviewers who approach their sexuality with preconceived notions, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding. As they stated, "Interviewers come to me with a preconceived notion of what my identity is, and assumptions about how an ace person experiences the world. No one is asking deep questions. It’s a complicated thing to understand about yourself. People are asking the wrong questions."

Fashion consultant Tim Gunn revealed that he is identified as asexual since the 1980s, following the end of a nearly decade-long relationship. Discovering that his boyfriend had been unfaithful led Gunn to take a prolonged break from intimate relationships. Reflecting on the breakup, Gunn expressed, "One night he told me he’d been sleeping around. I could hardly breathe from grief, humiliation and despair. Much of my boyfriend’s 'I’m over this' was about sex. I’ve always been kind of asexual. That breakup was a cold shower to last a lifetime."

Comedian Janeane Garofalo describes herself as asexual in her stand-up routines, explaining, "I don't have a fear of intimacy, I have sort of a genuine lack of interest." In an interview with 'PhillyMag.com', Garofalo joked about her asexuality, saying she doesn't mind when people mistake her for being gay: "It makes me far more interesting than an asexual atheist," Janeane added.