Is Taron Egerton gay? Exploring Taron Egerton’s sexuality and dating history.
Is Taron Egerton gay? The Golden Globe awardee and BAFTA nominee is a British movie actor who rose to fame after his leading role as Gary “Eggsy” Unwin in Kingsman: The Secret Service, alongside Hollywood legends such as Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, and Colin Firth.
However, it was his portrayal as Sir Elton John in the 2019 biopic Rocketman that took him from action star to formidable actor. Playing the openly gay musician has caused some speculation about the actor’s sexuality.
Is Taron Egerton gay, just like the character that launched him into international fame? Read on to find out.
Related | Taron Egerton: ‘I Had a Period of Feeling I Might Be Gay’
Rocketman And Sexuality Speculation
In 2018, Egerton was cast to play Elton John in Rocketman, a biographical musical drama about the musician’s life, from his days as a musical prodigy in the Royal Academy of Music to his rise as one of Britain’s most successful musicians in the 1970s.
To prepare for the role, the actor learned how to play the piano. Egerton also lived with John and his husband, David Furnish, getting a glimpse into the musician’s personal life. John even gifted Egerton the first diamond earring he bought, and Egerton wore it while filming the musical.
Because John is an openly gay man, many fans and viewers speculated whether Egerton himself was gay as well.
Scenes With Rocketman Co-Star Richard Madden
Not only was Rocketman lauded for portraying the life of a trailblazing gay icon, like in Bohemian Rhapsody, but it was also the first-ever major studio film to depict gay sex.
One such scene involved Egerton (playing Elton) and Richard Madden (playing John Reid, his manager, and lover). Filming a sex scene with another person of the same sex didn’t bother Egerton, as he explained in a THR interview:
“For me, kissing a man onscreen is no less appealing than kissing a woman onscreen. I’m not in any way repulsed by the male form. It’s an uncomfortable thing regardless of who you’re with – it makes no difference as to your sexual preference.”
Social Media Speculation Over Instagram Post
The speculation on his sexuality was reinvigorated after the actor posted a picture of another man on Instagram with the caption “Cutie, My boy ❤️.” Egerton even liked a comment that said, “does that mean he’s got a boyfriend now?”
Fans weren’t sure if Egerton was joking or not, but the Rocketman star later explained in an interview with Radio Times:
“One of the lads was at my London flat, and I Instagrammed a picture of him and said ‘Look at this cutie’, and a million outlets reported I was coming out as gay. I’m not gay, but two of my mates came out when I was 15, and it was a joy to support them because, as a group, we are all secure in who we are.”
Egerton’s Other LGBTQ Projects
Egerton was set to appear in the West-End revival of Cock, which tells the story of John, a gay man who becomes conflicted about his sexuality after falling in love with a woman. Egerton was supposed to play M, John’s boyfriend, but ultimately had to withdraw from the play due to personal reasons.
What Is Taron Egerton’s Sexuality?
While Egerton is perfectly comfortable playing gay characters, does this mean he’s queer?
The short answer? No.
Egerton has revealed that he questioned his sexuality when he was young, telling Attitude Magazine, “When I was 14 or 15, I had a period of thinking I might be gay.” However, he has also clarified that he is straight and acknowledged the privilege he holds as a heterosexual actor.
“It’s easy for me to sit here as a white heterosexual man and say I should be able to play a part I want,” He said in the same interview. “But I completely understand why a gay actor would feel that this is an opportunity for which they would be better suited.”
Taron Egerton And Emily Thomas Split
In April, Egerton and then-girlfriend Emily Thomas split after a six-year relationship. Though reasons for the break-up are unclear, sources claim that their busy schedules caused a strain on the relationship. While Egerton was on set, Thomas was the Assistant Director for blockbuster films such as No Time To Die and Wonder Woman 1984.
“Unless you’re really vigilant, you can start to occupy separate worlds,” he said in an interview with Vogue.
The two initially parted ways in 2018 before reconciling again a year later. Following the most recent break-up, Egerton has signed up for celebrity dating app Raya.
Conclusion
Despite playing as one of the most known gay musicians in Britain, it’s safe to say that Egerton is straight. He’s been criticized for potentially taking the role of a queer actor. Still, it’s admirable that he is comfortable enough in his sexuality to play a gay icon like Elton John with such reverence and humility.
