Why Alan Cumming can’t shake his “bisexual” label
It’s been over a year since award-winning Scottish actor Alan Cumming was asked about his bisexuality following the publication of his memoir, Not My Father’s Son: A Family Memoir, and The Good Wife star has revealed his frustration at the continued interest with the subject matter.
Speaking with The Independent, Cumming explained that some people observed he never mentioned his earlier eight-year marriage to female actress Hilary Lyon in the book. “But that’s not what this book is about. It’s not about me being bisexual,” he said.
“I get a little tired of everything – if I was straight, you wouldn’t think that I should make references to the fact that I was straight, so it just feels a little bit double standard-y.
“The whole bisexual thing keeps coming up, and I just think that, eventually, hopefully, we’ll all live in a world where we don’t talk about it as much and just get on with it.”
Cumming is currently married to graphic artist Grant Shaffer.
First rising to prominence in the theatre, Cumming has been recognised with Tony and Oliver awards for performances on London’s West End and New York’s Broadway.
Among a long list of screen credits is roles in Goldeneye, Spy Kids, X-Men, Eyes Wide Shut and Spice World.
Cumming also told The Independent he hasn’t really seen the majority of the films he has starred in. “They’re not my cup of tea,” he said.
“But still, I have fun doing them and I make a good living and meet lots of interesting people, so no, I don’t regret them. Do I regret doing The Smurfs? Absolutely not. It’s maybe a week out of my life and it’s a good pay cheque, and I’m able to do other things. I will be laughing all the way to my artistic bank.
“All of them (people I’ve worked with) are fascinating of course, but I think the Spice Girls would have to win if it came down to it. It doesn’t get much better than hanging out with the Spice Girls at the height of their fame.”
Across his career, Cumming added he has learnt to “look at the bigger picture”.
“I’m much better at understanding how to stand back from a situation, watch it and then take action. I’m probably better at mediating now.”