Luke Evans: ‘Coming out is scary. I didn’t know one gay person’ – The Times

The actor and singer Luke Evans, 43, was raised in Aberbargoed in Wales by Jehovah’s Witness parents. He left home at 16 and performed in the West End. His acting credits include The Hobbit, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Pinocchio. He also starred in Nine Perfect Strangers with Nicole Kidman, with whom he duetted on his new album. He splits his time between London, Portugal and Ibiza.

I was a target for bullies. I was a Jehovah’s Witness, so we weren’t liked in the valleys. Anything that is a little bit different, kids pick on. I was a skinny little kid and an only child. I didn’t have a big brother or sister to protect me.

Coming out is a scary thing.