Anna Camp Shared Why She Didn't Come Out Until Her 40s: "I Was Merely Surviving"

You might know Anna Camp from her role as Aubrey Posen in the Pitch Perfect movies. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Maybe you know her as Sarah Newlin in the HBO series True Blood. Person smiling widely, wearing a formal outfit with a lapel pin, expressing happiness in an indoor setting

HBO

Or perhaps you recognize her from her roles as the twins Reagan and Maddie Lockwood in Season 5 of You on Netflix. Three people in a living room: one woman in a black dress, a man in a blazer and sweater, and another woman in a pink patterned dress with puffed sleeves

Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Whenever your entry to Anna’s acting work begins, another thing that’s imperative to know about her is that she was included in Out’s annual list of prominent LGBTQ+ changemakers, and here’s why. Person on red carpet wearing a colorful blouse and jeans in front of SAG-AFTRA Foundation backdrop

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This year, Anna came out as a queer, revealing that she was in a relationship with celebrity stylist Jade Whipkey.In a Feb. 12 TikTok video, Anna answered a question about what she would expect from a guy on a first date, and responded, “Well, I don’t expect anything. Not anymore, because I like women, and it’s great.” Three people on a street, one speaking into a microphone. Text above reads, "because I like women and It's great!" Then, Anna and Jade went public with their relationship in May, and made their red-carpet debut at the Bride Hard premiere in the following month. Michael Buckner / Variety via Getty Images

Michael Buckner / Variety via Getty Images

Before her relationship with Jade, Anna was previously married to actor Michael Mosley in 2010. They divorced in 2013. A smiling woman in a sleeveless dress and a man in a suit pose together at a formal event

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She also married her Pitch Perfect co-star Skylar Astin in 2016. They divorced in 2019. Two people smiling at a Netflix event; the woman wears a studded dress, the man, a suit and tie

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As a person in her 40s, Anna shared what her coming-out experience was like, and her honest response is proof that she deserves to be included as a changemaker this year. Person with long, wavy hair poses on a red carpet, wearing a strapless black dress and confident expression

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“The largest obstacle I faced this year personally was juggling the emotions about coming out in my 40s, which included guilt for not embracing it sooner and excitement for finally being free from the constraints that had been placed on me by society and my upbringing,” she told Out. A person poses on a red carpet in a sleeveless polka dot dress, smiling with hand on hip. Large text partially visible in the background

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Although she admitted it wasn’t easy, it was the help of her community that pushed her forward: “I overcame it through support from my friends and family and through connecting with supportive members of the queer community.” Person with shoulder-length hair wearing a patterned sleeveless dress and statement necklace at a Searchlight Pictures event

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“I just want to share that it is never too late to evolve into your truest self,” Anna added. “Dismantling the mask of armor I had created for myself in order to navigate and survive taught me just that. I was merely surviving, not really living. And now I finally feel like I’m becoming the real Anna, thriving and alive.” Person holding a microphone, wearing a sleeveless top, engaged in conversation onstage

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Anna’s candid response hits close to home because, as a person who came out in their 30s, I shared that feeling of guilt about not embracing my sexuality sooner because of the constraints of society and my upbringing.

I remember exactly who I was back when I first watched Anna in True Blood and Pitch Perfect — a tepid, college student unable to fully embrace who I was because I didn’t want to dishonor my faith or disappoint my parents. Person watching a TV show featuring two women in conversation in a living room setting

But something miraculous happens when actors like Anna, Ben Platt, and Rebel Wilson share their coming-out stories later in life. Their visibility helps us reconfigure the negative narratives we held onto about our past. Now, when I think back to watching Pitch Perfect before I came out, I realize I was never alone. Two women in discussion, one with a playful expression and hands clasped, the other gesturing with a thoughtful look

It wasn’t just some funny ass movie. I was watching an LGBTQ+ masterpiece, and just moments away from embracing my freedom — and that’s dope as hell. A woman lounges on a row of theater seats, jokingly claiming she's "horizontal running" to a standing woman beside her