Angelina Jolie’s brother James Haven has shared a deeply personal revelation, opening up about his sexuality for the first time publicly.
Keep reading to learn more.
53-year-old actor and filmmaker, James Haven, who is the son of Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, revealed during an appearance on his former wife Romi Imbelli’s Substack livestream that he is gay.
Haven said he had spent much of his life hiding this part of himself, explaining that he no longer feels the need to apologize for who he is.
“I no longer feel the need to apologize for the parts of me that make me who I am,” he said while reading a statement on August 6.
The announcement came more than two years after Haven and Imbelli’s short-lived marriage ended. The pair, who had been close friends for more than two decades before marrying, wed in August 2024 in Laguna Beach, California. Imbelli later filed for an annulment, reportedly citing “fraud” as the reason.
During his coming-out statement, Haven reflected on his childhood and the struggles he faced while trying to understand himself.
He recalled being fascinated by Disney princesses as a child, sneaking glitter onto his face and wearing mascara because those moments made him feel “like magic.”
But as he grew older, he said he began hiding those parts of himself to fit in.
“Like so many gay kids, I learned to question parts of myself long before I learned to celebrate them,” Haven said.
He explained that coming out was not about becoming someone new, but about finally allowing people to see the person he had always been.
“Coming out isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about allowing everyone else to meet the person who has been here all along,” he said.
Haven also expressed hope that his family would respond with “love over fear” and “understanding over judgment.”
“That little boy with glitter on his face and mascara on his lashes was never confused, broken, or something to be ashamed of. He was simply gay. He was joyful. He was brave before he even knew it,” he said.
The revelation comes as Haven prepares to launch a new podcast, Safe Haven with James Haven, where he plans to discuss personal journeys, life choices and turning points with guests.
Romi Imbelli supports Haven despite heartbreak
Although Imbelli publicly supported Haven following his announcement, she admitted she had struggled emotionally during their marriage after suspecting he may have been gay.
She said she had a “battle” between wanting to support him and accepting that their romantic relationship was not what she believed it was.
“I knew it, and I wanted to support you and love you, and then I didn’t want to believe it because then it would mean losing you in that capacity,” she said.
Despite the pain, Imbelli said she still considers Haven someone deeply important in her life.
“You are not my close friend. You are my love. And you happen to be gay,” she told him.
She explained that sharing their story helped her heal and forgive, while allowing both of them to move forward honestly.
Haven’s complicated family history
Like his sister Angelina Jolie, Haven has had a complicated relationship with their father Jon Voight. The siblings were reportedly estranged from their father for years following tensions after their parents’ divorce and other family issues.
The family later reconciled in 2007 following the death of Haven and Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand.
Haven’s public revelation has since sparked widespread discussion online, with many praising his honesty and courage in sharing such a personal part of his life after decades of keeping it private.
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