“I’m tired of hiding.” James Haven — Angelina Jolie’s brother — has come out. We tell his story

On August 6, 2026, it became known that James Haven, a representative of one of Hollywood’s most famous dynasties, had officially come out. The son of legendary Jon Voight and brother of Angelina Jolie decided to reveal his homosexuality not through an official representative, but in the most personal way possible — during a live broadcast on his ex-wife Romi Imbelli’s Substack platform.

During the stream, Haven read a personal letter in which he spoke in detail about his feelings and his journey toward self-acceptance. According to James, he became aware of his identity in early childhood. “When I was a little boy, I was absolutely obsessed with Disney princesses. I would secretly put glitter on my cheeks and paint my eyelashes with mascara — in those moments, I felt magical,” he admitted.

James explained that back then he simply didn’t have the words to describe what he was feeling, but he knew for sure that these “feminine” traits helped him feel like himself. However, as he grew older, Haven began to wonder whether he should hide this “spark” in order to be accepted by “normal” boys. In the end, like many other children, he learned to question his own nature long before he learned to celebrate it.

A few days of marriage and “coming out of the shadows”

Haven’s coming-out story is closely tied to his personal life. In 2024, he married Romi Imbelli, but the marriage lasted only a few days. Despite such a swift breakup, the former spouses remained close friends. Romi was the person James turned to when they reconnected after their separation.

James emphasizes that his coming out is not an attempt to become someone new, but a desire to finally let the people around him meet the person who has always been there. "I'm tired of hiding," he briefly summed up the reason for his decision.

In his letter, Haven also touched on the topic of family, expressing hope that his loved ones (including his famous sister and father) will be able to choose "love instead of fear and understanding instead of judgment". He asked them to look beyond labels and see in him the same heart and the same soul they have always known.

Despite changes in his personal life, Haven and his ex-wife Romi continue to work together. They are currently developing the TV adaptation of Imbelli's book, in which James plans to serve as director.

Concluding his letter, Haven stated that he no longer feels the need to apologize for who he is:

"That boy with glitter on his face was never confused, broken, or someone to be ashamed of. He was simply gay. He was joyful. And he was brave long before he knew it himself".