Current:Home > Invest'Bachelorette' Gabby Windey says this Netflix reality show inspired her to explore her bisexuality-LoTradeCoin
'Bachelorette' Gabby Windey says this Netflix reality show inspired her to explore her bisexuality
View Date:2024-12-24 08:03:23
Former "Bachelorette" lead Gabby Windey's journey to dating her girlfriend, comedian Robby Hoffman, involved decades of ignoring the signs that she's attracted to women.
"There had been signs since my childhood, and you kind of just get to the point where you allow the whisper to get louder, basically," Windey, 32, said in an interview with Glamour published Tuesday.
"I've always felt really emotionally connected to my girlfriends, some of which have ended in breakups so emotional, it feels like how you would in a romantic relationship," she explained. "And there were probably other things that I just suppressed or told myself was nothing."
Late-night thoughts of "What if I was gay?" "became louder and louder" for Windey.
"It was almost like I was afraid for it to happen for some reason," she said, adding that her fear likely also stemmed from growing up in a "Middle America conservative community … I was not around any gay people, especially not gay women."
Earlier this month, Windey came out on "The View" and announced that she has a girlfriend. This week, she debuted her new relationship with Bachelor Nation during Monday's live finale of "The Bachelorette" Season 20.
Windey was one of two bachelorettes last year, sharing the lead role with Rachel Recchia as they dated 32 men.
How 'Perfect Match' made Gabby Windey think about her sexuality
When discussing her sexuality with friends, Windey said she was told her curiosity was "just a phase" because she's "as straight as they come."
"But I was just like, 'But what if?' and luckily I have that natural curiosity and the strength to listen to myself, because that's exactly what happened," she said.
Seeing fellow reality TV stars openly be themselves on the Netflix reality dating show "Perfect Match" ended up inspiring Windey to explore her sexuality. "The show had an openly bi, lesbian storyline with Francesca and Abbey, and it seemed just very genuine. Something inside of me could relate, and I thought, 'Maybe I need to explore this,'" she said.
Earlier this year, Windey opened a profile on the dating app Raya and found that she "wasn’t really looking at the men." Later, she ended up meeting Hoffman through a mutual friend while they were at the same bar and went on their first date the following week.
'A love that I always wanted':'Bachelor' star Gabby Windey announces she has a girlfriend
Gabby Windey says bisexual would be 'the most honest label for me'
Being in a relationship with Hoffman has been "an awakening," Windey said.
"It's serendipitous and kismet and kind of spiritual, but also very stable. We were both meant for a big type of love, and now it's finally here," she said.
Windey added, "I just know after dating women, I don’t think I would ever date a man again. I feel so emotionally connected to my girlfriend and that's what’s most important for me."
She understands why the public would want her to put a label on her sexuality. "I guess 'bisexual' would be the most honest label for me, but I don’t know," she said.
Windey is not the only "Bachelor" alum who has started a same-sex relationship after having a heterosexual romance on the show. Last year, Becca Tilley, who was nearly engaged to Chris Soules on his season of "The Bachelor" in 2015, revealed she had been dating singer Hayley Kiyoko for four years.
"A powerful act of strength":Coming out isn’t actually over. Here’s why
veryGood! (49612)
Related
- Olivia Munn Randomly Drug Tests John Mulaney After Mini-Intervention
- Connecticut starting March Madness repeat bid in dominant form should scare rest of field
- Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler among 612K vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- Judge dismisses lawsuit by Musk’s X against nonprofit researchers tracking hate speech on platform
- Digital Finance Research Institute Introduce
- TEA Business College ranked among the top ten business leaders in PRIME VIEW
- Dark circles under your eyes? Here's how to get rid of them
- Women's March Madness games today: Schedule, how to watch Monday's NCAA Tournament
- NFL coaches diversity report 2024: Gains at head coach, setbacks at offensive coordinator
- Inside Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid’s Broadway Date Night
Ranking
- Secret Service Agent Allegedly Took Ex to Barack Obama’s Beach House
- Riley Strain's Death Appears Accidental, Police Say After Preliminary Autopsy
- Rescue effort turns to recovery in search for 6-year-old who fell into Pennsylvania creek
- Stock market today: Asian shares trade mixed after Wall Street closes near record finish
- How to Build Your Target Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Budget-Friendly Must-Haves for Effortless Style
- Spurs rookie sensation sidelined for at least one game with sprained ankle
- 'American Idol': Former 'Bachelor' Juan Pablo Galavis makes surprise cameo for daughter's audition
- Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna score goals as USMNT defeats Mexico for Nations League title
Recommendation
-
Worker trapped under rubble after construction accident in Kentucky
-
Riley Strain: Preliminary autopsy results reveal death to be 'accidental,' police say
-
The Daily Money: Good news for your 401(k)?
-
Princess Kate revealed she is undergoing treatment for a cancer diagnosis. What is preventative chemotherapy?
-
12 college students charged with hate crimes after assault in Maryland
-
Last Day To Get 70% Off Amazon Deals: Earbuds, Smart Watches, Air Mattresses, Cowboy Boots, and More
-
NBA suspends Kris Dunn, Jabari Smith for role in fight during Rockets-Jazz game
-
Trendy & Stylish Workwear from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (That Also Looks Chic After Work)