Angelina Jolie’s brother James Haven comes out as gay at age 53

Angelina Jolie’s older brother James Haven came out as gay on Thursday as he emotionally opened up about entering a ‘new chapter’ in his life. 

The 53-year-old actor, who is the son of Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, took part in a candid discussion on his ex-wife and close friend Romi Imbelli’s Substack livestream. 

Haven and Imbelli married in August 2024 during a ceremony in Laguna Beach, California. It was later revealed that she filed to annul the marriage just 15 days later. 

In the clip, Imbelli explained that she wanted to give Haven the ‘opportunity to speak on this’ after he also released a statement which was shared to her Substack.

‘Today’s a new day,’ she explained. ‘We get to be this and you get to be, Gem, what are you?’ 

He let out a laugh to ask, ‘Is this the cue?’ before he told viewers, ‘I’m gay.’ 

Angelina Jolie’s older brother James Haven, 53, came out as gay on Thursday as he emotionally opened up about entering a ‘new chapter’ in his life; Haven and Jolie seen in 2000

He let out a laugh to ask, ‘Is this the cue?’ before he told viewers, ‘I’m gay’; seen in 2017 in Beverly Hills 

Haven also read the statement and explained, ‘When I was a little boy, I was absolutely obsessed with the Disney princesses. 

‘I would sneak glitter onto my cheeks, swipe mascara onto my lashes, and for those moments, I felt like magic.’

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Jolie’s brother added that he ‘didn’t have the language back then to explain why I just knew it made me feel more like me.’

He further expressed, ‘It was never about pretending to be someone else. It was about letting a part of myself shine that had always been there.’  

As years pᴀssed, Haven had started to question ‘if that sparkle was something I had to hide to be accepted by the “normal” boys around me. 

‘Like so many gay kids, I learned to question parts of myself long before I learned to celebrate them.’ 

Haven also shared that he was ready to tell the truth. 

‘Not because he’s changed, but because he’s tired of hiding. Coming out isn’t about becoming someone new, it’s about allowing everyone else to meet the person who has been here all along.’ 

Jolie’s brother added that he ‘didn’t have the language back then to explain why I just knew it made me feel more like me’; seen in 2014 in Hollywood 

The actor added, ‘I hope my family and others can choose love over fear, understanding over judgment, and connection over the beliefs that may have kept us apart’; Haven (left) seen with Voight and Jolie in 1988 in L.A. 

The actor added, ‘I hope my family and others can choose love over fear, understanding over judgment, and connection over the beliefs that may have kept us apart. 

‘I hope they can look beyond the labels and simply see me with the same heart, the same laugh, the same soul they’ve always known.’ 

Haven explained that the ‘little boy with glitter on his face and mascara on his lashes was never confused, broken, or something to be ashamed of. 

‘He was simply gay. He was joyful. He was brave before he even knew it.’ 

Haven also talked about stepping into a ‘new chapter’ and feeling ‘free’ in his life through an additional Substack video. 

‘Today is August 6, 2026 and I, James Haven, begin a new chapter in my life. After many years of healing from childhood trauma, I am now free to live the life I believe I was always meant to live.

‘One of hope, one of peace, and one of love. So, as my story unfolds, I want you all to know that I do it with an open heart with nothing but love for myself and for all of you.’ 

He sent graтιтude to those who read his statement and for ‘allowing me to be what I was meant to be.’ 

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Jolie for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

Haven also talked about stepping into a ‘new chapter’ and feeling ‘free’ in his life through an additional Substack video; seen in 2017 

During the livestream, Imbelli told Haven that she had a feeling he had been gay when they married, but did not want to admit it to herself

During the livestream, Imbelli told Haven that she had a feeling he had been gay when they married, but did not want to admit it to herself. 

‘I didn’t want to see it. I didn’t want to believe. I knew it and I wanted to support you and love you,’ she said. 

‘And then I didn’t want to believe it because then it would mean losing you in that capacity, which I couldn’t.’

Imbelli, who has known Haven for over 20 years, said that he was still her ‘life partner’ following the split. 

‘We will do life together. You are not my close friend. You are my love. And you happen to be gay,’ she said. 

Page Six also reported on Thursday that Haven will officially launch his own weekly podcast тιтled Save Haven with James Haven, although a release date has yet to be announced. 

Imbelli also shared a post to her Instagram account that included pH๏τos of both her and Haven. 

Page Six also reported on Thursday that Haven will officially launch his own weekly podcast тιтled Save Haven with James Haven, although a release date has yet to be announced; seen in 2014 

‘I wasn’t here to out someone I love. I was here to help set someone free. There is a difference. In return he set me free,’ she wrote.

‘Forgiveness, grace, and unconditional love have carried us to this moment. We ask only that you give him the same compᴀssion as he learns to walk through this world with his head held high, exactly as God made him.

‘Love doesn’t always fit into the boxes we’re taught it should. Sometimes it transforms. Sometimes it changes shape. Sometimes it asks us to let go of what we imagined so we can embrace what is true.’

She added, ‘I’ll always love him. Just not as his wife, but as my family, my best friend, and one of the greatest loves of my life…’ 

Haven and Imbelli married in August 2024 after knowing each other for over 23 years at the time. The following year in March, Imbelli announced that she had filed for an annulment

Haven and Jolie are both the children of Voight and Bertrand. The siblings infamously shared a controversial kiss at the 2000 Oscars and Golden Globes (seen above)

Haven and Imbelli married in August 2024 after knowing each other for over 23 years at the time. 

The following year in March, Imbelli announced that she had filed for an annulment. 

Legal documents revealed that Romi filed for an annulment on August 27, 2024, just 15 days after the wedding took place. 

Haven and Jolie are both the children of Voight and Bertrand. The siblings infamously shared a controversial kiss at the 2000 Oscars and Golden Globes.