Bryan Singer has largely kept quiet in the wake of recent sexual assault allegations, but in an interview with Out Magazine, the "X-Men" director has now opened up about his complicated sexuality, personal life and feelings about actress Ellen Page coming out.
The 48-year-old director explained to the LGBTQI publication that he has dated both men and women for years.
"I'm quite bisexual," he told Out. "In the last five years, I've had two girlfriends - one for two years, one for eight months.... In the end, it's probably going to be a guy. I emotionally lean towards male relationships, so I'm happy to say I'm gay, too, if it's a one-syllable, easy answer."
As a teenager, Singer recalled his parents trying to send him to a therapist who specialized in sexual orientation.
"My sexuality is not what is tearing me up inside," Singer said he declared at the time. "I'm in love and he doesn't love me back and it's killing me. I need relationship advice! I've never felt the need to be declarative [about my sexuality]."
The director has always been open about his relationships since beginning his career in Hollywood. He admitted he'd even brought his boyfriend on the set of "On Usual Suspects."
"On Usual Suspects, I had a boyfriend on set, and it didn't even occur to me to not have him be affectionate," he said. "I remember Gabriel Byrne said, 'I really admire how comfortable and open you are,' and I thought, 'Really?'"
The press branded Singer as an "openly gay director," which he admitted to being happy about, stating, "Oh, okay. That was easy... I came out by osmosis."
"If you look at the Kinsey Report, human sexuality is so complex," Singer continued. "And the reason I've never talked about it to the press - until now - is because sexuality is so complex. To have a real conversation about it, you really want to have the person you're talking to in front of you."
Singer also commended Page, who plays Kitty Pryde in the recent "X-Men" film, for bravely coming out on Valentine's Day. During a speech at a Human Rights Campaign conference, Page declared that she was proud to be gay woman and no longer felt ashamed of who she was.
"She just seemed so much happier and relaxed and talkative to the point where we all said, 'Ellen, you seem to be kind of glowing,'" Singer said.
The interview was done shortly before Singer was accused of sexually assaulting Michael Egan III, a former aspiring model and actor, during a trip to Hawaii in the 1990s. Egan is currently seeking more than $75,000 for emotional distress, battery, assault and invasion of privacy. A second 25-year-old unidentified British man has also lodged similar claims in a separate suit.
Singer released a public statement reading: "The allegations against me are outrageous, vicious and completely false. I do not want these fictitious claims to divert ANY attention from "X-Men: Days of Future Past". This fantastic film is a labor of love and one of the greatest experiences of my career. So, out of respect to all of the extraordinary contributions from the incredibly talented actors and crew involved, I've decided not to participate in the upcoming media events for the film. However, I promise when this situation is over, the facts will show this to be the sick twisted shakedown it is. I want to thank fans, friends and family for all their amazing and overwhelming support."
