SNL Alum and star of upcoming WandaVision spin-off Agatha All Along Sasheer Zamata recently came to the realization that, although she was often being cast in queer roles, she wasn’t yet out to herself.
“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?’” Zamata told Them.
After soul-searching, Zamata finally came out to herself. She had recently gone off birth control for the first time since she was 16, and said that decision made things clear.
“[Going off birth control] really did kind of change everything. I cut all my hair off. And I was always attracted to women, but I think [that] really boosted it,” she said. “Even my friends and people around me were like, ‘Something is different about you. We can’t put our finger on it, but something’s happening.’”
Overall, Zamata has worked to keep a careful balance of honoring who she is publically while still keeping her personal life personal.
“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,” she said. “I guess I’m one of those late-in-life lesbians. I just feel very comfortable and confident in my life.”
She is happy to be out and proud, but she has made it clear that this doesn’t set a precedent for letting the public into her life.
“As far as what people deserve to know? Nothing. They don’t deserve anything,” she said. “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.”
