Comedian Jerrod Carmichael Comes Out as Gay in New HBO Special

Jerrod Carmichael, comedian and star of the three-season NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show, has come out as gay. 

His new HBO Max comedy show Rothaniel premieres today and in it, the 34-year-old opens up about his family life and how it tied into his own coming-out journey.

He shares that he caught his father cheating when he was younger. “After that was out in the open, I was left alone feeling like a liar, because I had a secret. One that I kept from my father, my mother, my family, my friends, and you. Professionally, personally. And the secret is that I’m gay." Variety then reports that "after a long silence, the audience claps, to Carmichael’s visceral relief."

"I’m accepting the love, I really appreciate the love. My ego wants to rebel against it," he replied on stage, later adding, "I rebelled against it my whole life. I thought I’d never, ever come out. At many points I thought I’d rather die than confront the truth of that, to actually say it to people. Because I know it changes some people’s perceptions of me. I can’t control that."

The special was filmed in February at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. Carmichael is set to host Saturday Night Live tomorrow with musical guest, Gunna. 

Welcome to the family Jerrod!

Rothaniel premieres April 1 at 9 pm EST on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.