Haven expressed the hope that friends and family would “see me with the same heart, the same laugh, the same soul they’ve always known”
Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
NEED TO KNOW
- James Haven, brother to Angelina Jolie, has come out publicly as gay
- The former actor appeared with Romi Imbelli, whom he was briefly married to in 2024, to discuss their relationship and share his story
- “I am now free to live the life that I believe I was always meant to live,” said Haven in an Instagram post
James Haven has come out as gay.
Haven — son of Jon Voight and the late Marcheline Bertrand and older brother of Angelina Jolie — shared his truth via Romi Imbelli’s Instagram on Thursday, Aug. 6.
“I, James Haven, begin a new chapter of my life,” the former actor, 53, said to camera in a post that showed footage and photos of himself and Imbelli, 44.
“After many years of healing from childhood trauma,” he continued, “I am now free to live the life that I believe I was always meant to live. One of hope, one of peace and one of love. So as my story unfolds, I want you all to know that I do it with an open heart, with nothing but love for myself and for all of you.”
Haven concluded, “Thank you for allowing me to be what I was meant to be.”
Credit: Romi Imbelli/Instagram; Paul Archuleta/Getty
Imbelli and Haven tied the knot on Aug. 12, 2024. Although Imbelli announced to PEOPLE the following March that their marriage had been annulled, court filings indicated that The Real L Word star filed the paperwork 15 days after the wedding.
Haven appeared via livestream on Imbelli’s Substack, Breathe Mija, as part of the unveiling of what she called on Instagram its final chapter. “I’m gay,” confirmed Haven in conversation with his friend.
“As gay as gay can be,” quipped Imbelli with a laugh. “I’m a lot of things,” responded a smiling Haven. “I’m trying to keep my humility right now.”
His mother Bertrand, added Imbelli, “referred to him as ‘pony boy.’ ” Haven said that he “did not realize [it] was a gay term for a young gay man.”
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Reading a statement, Haven said, “I hope my family and others can choose love over fear, understanding over judgment, and connection over the beliefs that may have kept us apart. I hope they can look beyond the labels and simply see me with the same heart, the same laugh, the same soul they’ve always known.”
In her Instagram caption showcasing their relationship, Imbelli wrote, “I wasn’t here to out someone I love. I was here to help set someone free. There is a difference. In return he set me free.”
The reality star was previously married to musician Dusty Ray from 2011 to 2013 and to chef Charles Imbelli, with whom she shares daughter Frankie, from 2015 to 2019.
Credit: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Haven starred alongside his sister in the 1998 HBO film Gia and 2001’s Original Sin. Jolie brought her brother to the 2000 Academy Awards, where she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Girl, Interrupted.
The brother-sister duo made headlines at that ceremony for kissing on the lips on the red carpet. During her acceptance speech, Jolie said, “I’m in shock, and I’m so in love with my brother right now. He just held me and said he loved me and I know he’s so happy for me, and thank you for that.”
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