Ian Thorpe has come out as a gay man.
The 31-year-old Australian Olympian opened up about his sexuality during an interview with Channel 10‘s Michael Parkinson (via AP).
“I’ve thought about this for a long time. I’m not straight,” Ian said. “And this is only something that very recently — we’re talking in the past two weeks — I’ve been comfortable telling the closest people around me exactly that.”
“I’m comfortable saying I’m a gay man,” Ian continued. “And I don’t want young people to feel the same way that I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay.”
He added, “I wanted to make my family proud. I wanted to make my nation proud of me. And part of me didn’t know if Australia wanted its champion to be gay…But I’m telling not only Australia, but I’m telling the world, that I am.”
Ian later tweeted, “To Everyone who has sent a message of support I sincerely Thank you!”
In case you didn’t know, Ian won three Olympic gold medals and two silver medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In Athens, in 2004, he was awarded one bronze, one silver and two more gold medals.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes roared its way to No. 1 at this weekend’s box office with a $73 million gross!
According to THR, the sequel – starring Andy Serkis, Keri Russell, and more – far surpassed the first film’s $54.8 million debut back in August 2011.
Transformers: Age of Extinction, Mark Wahlberg and Nicola Peltz, fell to second place with an additional $16.5 million, which helped the film cross the $200 million mark at the domestic box office.
Coming in at No. 3 was Melissa McCarthy‘s new comedy Tammy with $12.9 million for the weekend, and $57.4 million total so far.
Rounding out the top five were 22 Jump Street and the animated flick How to Train Your Dragon 2, bringing in $6.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
Meanwhile, Richard Linklater‘s Boyhood made a splash at the specialty box office, grossing $359,000 from five theaters for a location average of $71,8000.
WHAT DID YOU SEE at the movies this weekend? Take our poll below!
Vanessa Hudgens shows off her new hair cut at Aroma Cafe on Saturday afternoon (July 12) in Studio City, Calif.
The 25-year-old actress recently opened up about Bongo‘s decision to not use Photoshop for her ads.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Vanessa Hudgens
“I absolutely love that Bongo wanted to do something different by not retouching my photos for their campaign,” Vanessa posted to her Tumblr. “I think it is important for girls to be true to who they are, and not compare themselves to girls who have been photoshopped to look ‘perfect.’ God made us all unique for a reason and we should embrace our true self.”
Photo:Getty
It's official - NBC has found its Captain Hook! Veteran actor
Christopher Walken has been tapped to play the iconic role in the network's upcoming live performance of
Peter Pan! The casting reunites him with
Craig Zadan and
Neil Meron after his starring role in the producers' film adaptation of
Hairspray back in 2007. Get more details on the
Peter Pan casting...
Ian Somerhalder supports his very own ISF Foundation while touching down at LAX Airport on Saturday night (July 12) in Los Angeles.
The 35-year-old actor flew in from the East Coast where he attended a convention for his show The Vampire Diaries in Parsippany, N.J.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ian Somerhalder
Ian currently appears on a special Comic-Con edition of TV Guide Magazine, alongside his co-stars Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley. Check it out!
A few weeks earlier, Ian was spotted baring his buff muscles while making his way through Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
15+ pictures inside of Ian Somerhalder arriving back in Los Angeles… More Here! »
Prince Harry suits up in uniform for the Rundle Cup at Tidworth Polo Club on Saturday (July 12) in Tidworth, England.
Earlier in the week, the 29-year-old royal’s older brother Prince William went snorkeling with the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) members at a swimming pool in London.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Prince Harry
William recently followed in the footsteps of his father Prince Charles by becoming president of BSAC, the UK’s governing body for scuba diving.
“I can only assume that [Willliam's] interest probably stems from the fact that I threw him into the swimming pool on many occasions,” Charles said (via the L.A. Times). “Instead of putting him off, it actually enthused him, so I’m thrilled that he has decided to carry on the tradition started really by my father.”
15+ pictures inside of Prince Harry and Prince William on two separate outings… More Here! »
It’s hard to believe it’s already been one year since Cory Monteith suddenly and tragically passed away.
The Glee star, 31 years old at the time of his death, was found dead in a hotel room after consuming a toxic mix of heroin and alcohol on July 13, 2013 in Vancouver, Canada.
Celebrities took to Twitter today to express their love for Cory and to remember their dear friend.
“I personally believe Cory was reborn into some other beautiful form a year ago today. I celebrate him and his life… Wherever that may be,” his co-star Matthew Morrison tweeted.
Meanwhile, Harry Shum Jr wrote, “I often think of the good memories I shared with Cory and it makes me smile. He was a one of a kind gentleman and will forever be missed.”
Our thoughts go out to all of Cory‘s friends and family today.
Click inside to see more celebrity tweets remembering Cory Monteith… More Here! »
Julianna Margulies runs some errands on a sunny Thursday afternoon (July 10) in New York City.
The 48-year-old actress stayed comfortable in jeans, a tank top and wedge sandals.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Julianna Margulies
That same day, Josh Charles met up with his friend Josh Hamilton in the West Village neighborhood of NYC.
Both actors were nominated for an Emmy for their work on The Good Wife. Julianna was nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series and Josh was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Earlier that week, Julianna stepped out in her workout gear looking so fit as she headed to the gym.
More Here! »
