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Gus Kenworthy on life before coming out: ‘I cried after sleeping with women sometimes’

"It certainly was never the same after I slept with a man" says Olympian in new interview

By Jamie Tabberer

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Instagram/@guskenworthy

Gus Kenworthy has opened up about his experiences as a closeted gay man, admitting he “cried after sleeping with women sometimes.”

The Olympic skier came out publicly as gay in 2015. In 2018, he made global headlines when a kiss with then-boyfriend Matthew Wilkas at the 2018 Winter Olympics was broadcast on NBC.

Reflecting on his past in a new interview with The Guardian, the 30-year-old first addressed historic tabloid speculation that he once dated ‘Party In the U.S.A’ singer Miley Cyrus.

“I was trying to keep up this facade I was straight”

Asked if the speculation offered ‘fleeting relief from such questions [about his sexuality] or simply deepen his unease’, Gus replied: “Both.”

 
 
 
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The former Attitude cover star explained: “I was trying to keep up this facade I was straight. It sounds grimy but there’s also a culture around those events where you’re pulling girls at parties.

“I was sleeping with women and really trying so hard to fit this other narrative. But I cried after sleeping with women sometimes. It certainly was never the same after I slept with a man.”

The Attitude February issue is out now. Get your copy here