Photo Credit: Danielle Levitt / AUGUST; VALERIE MACON/AFP
Gus Kenworthy’s Moment in the Spotlight and the Cyrus Link
Olympic skier gained global attention after his silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Reporters asked him who his celebrity crush was around Valentine’s Day, and he impulsively said Miley Cyrus. That off-hand answer quickly became a headline and sparked rumors that the Olympic athlete and pop star were romantically linked.
People interpreted his comment as a sign he was straight and possibly interested in Cyrus. Cyrus responded with public engagement on social media, including a follow and later praise for Kenworthy’s courage. The public crush moment made headlines and shaped Kenworthy’s image before he publicly came out as gay.
Kenworthy later called that publicity moment confusing and stressful. He admitted that he did not think before responding and that it pushed him further into hiding his true identity. Fans saw it as a charming story, but it reflected deeper pressure he felt to project heterosexuality. By linking himself to a famous woman, he briefly reinforced a straight image he no longer believed.
Concealing His Identity and Internal Struggle
Before publicly coming out, Kenworthy lived with internal conflict about his sexuality. He grew up knowing he felt different from other boys but stayed silent for many years. Trying to appear straight exhausted him emotionally and mentally.
Kenworthy said he sometimes cried after being with women because it didn’t feel right. He admitted he maintained a facade of heterosexuality to fit cultural expectations. He described that period as painful and disorienting. For him, those experiences highlighted how deeply he hid his true self.
Kenworthy also acknowledged how being linked with female celebrities like Miley Cyrus deepened his unease. He said that attention offered brief relief but ultimately intensified his feeling of living a lie. The athlete spoke honestly about how he used relationships with women to try to fit in. He said that trying to keep up appearances became a burden he no longer wanted to carry. Those candid remarks helped many readers understand the emotional cost of hiding one’s identity.
The Decision to Come Out and Its Aftermath
In October 2015, Kenworthy publicly came out as gay in an interview with ESPN The Magazine. He said the pain of hiding was greater than the fear of telling the truth. That decision made him one of the first openly gay athletes in action sports.
He admitted to fearing fan loss and sponsor fallout, yet he chose authenticity. Kenworthy explained that he wanted to stop lying and start living honestly. His announcement drew massive support from fans and fellow athletes.
Cyrus openly celebrated his coming-out moment, praising his courage and pride. She called Kenworthy a role model and encouraged LGBTQ youth to embrace themselves. Her public support helped amplify the positive response. Kenworthy’s coming out shifted public perception of him from a heart-throb athlete to a cultural advocate. This shift profoundly affected his career, identity, and platform.
Life After Coming Out: Advocacy and Visibility
After coming out, Kenworthy embraced his role as an advocate for LGBTQ visibility in sports. He used his platform to speak to young athletes who feared revealing their identity. He openly discussed the importance of representation for closeted competitors.
Fans shared how his story helped them accept themselves. That ripple effect marked his public journey as more than just athletic fame. Kenworthy told interviewers that his fear of losing followers proved unfounded.
He said that many people continued to follow him and celebrate his openness. Some even told him his honesty helped them come out to their own circles. He actively encouraged other athletes to live authentically, even when it felt risky. That message resonated beyond skiing into broader sports and culture.
The Broader Impact Beyond the Spotlight
illustrates the emotional toll athletes often face hiding their identity. His link to Miley Cyrus became a cultural footnote in a much deeper personal journey. What began as a lighthearted media moment turned into a pivotal experience of self-realization.
Kenworthy’s decision to come out openly transformed him into a visible figure for LGBTQ athletes worldwide. His candidness helped normalize queer identities in environments that often discourage them. He continues to advocate for inclusion and encourages others to live truthfully.
His journey reminds us that celebrity attention and personal struggle can intersect in unexpected ways. What once seemed like a fun media moment became a stepping stone to self-acceptance. Kenworthy’s path shines light on the power of honesty, representation, and authenticity. His legacy extends well beyond his Olympic medals into meaningful cultural impact.