Darren Young, WWE Star, Comes Out as Gay: I’m “Very Happy”

Male Standard

11 years ago

Darren Young just made WWE history. The professional wrestler, 33, revealed in an off-the-cuff interview that he’s gay — making the New Jersey native the first WWE star to come out of the closet. Speaking recently with a TMZ videographer at LAX, the performer (real name: Fredrick Douglas Rosser) was asked whether a gay wrestler could comfortably work in the WWE.

“Absolutely. Look at me,” he said. “I’m a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I’ll tell you right now, I’m gay. And I’m happy. I’m very happy.”

Although other WWE wrestlers have been the subject of gay rumors, Young (following in the footsteps of NBA player Jason Collins, who came out earlier this year) quipped of his own announcement: “I don’t think it matters. Does it matter? Does it change what you think about me?”

He assured his interviewer that all is well. “I’m happy with who I am. I’m comfortable with myself. I’m happy to be living the dream. I’m happy with myself. It’s very important to me that people see that someone’s sexual preference shouldn’t really matter.”

As for working and performing in the WWE — a very physical contact sport involving half-naked men — he explained: “We’re all adults. All sports are physical. When I come to work, I come to work. This is a business. I’m a WWE superstar. I’m there to entertain. That’s what my job is and I do it well.”