Sara Gilbert is speaking out about her coming out process and how former boyfriend Johnny Galecki helped her.
On Thursday’s “The Talk,” Sara, 38, who is engaged to singer/songwriter Linda Perry, got candid about the evolution of her sexuality.
“I want people to know there can still be a struggle with it and that’s OK,” she said. “It’s a process and there can be a part of you that doesn’t want to feel different or feel scared.”
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The actress/talk show host explained that her former “Roseanne” co-star and former boyfriend helped her immensely.
“I thought he was super cute and I had a total crush on him,” she recalled. “And we started dating and he would come over and we would, like, make out, and then I would start to get depressed… [I] eventually told him I thought it was about my sexuality and he was super sweet about it.”
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After dating her co-star, the actress began seeing an older woman, who was also well known – something that the “Big Bang Theory” star kept secret.
“I started dating a woman who was like 18 years older than I was, who was also in the public eye,” she continued. “It was something people could have found out about. Like no one knew at the show for years, and Johnny held the secret the whole time.
And I always felt so scared. If it came out, what could happen? Could I lose my career? Will I ever be able to play a straight role again?”
Sara, who is still close with Johnny, reached out to him before sharing the story on air.
“I called him and I just said, ‘Is it OK – I’m thinking of talking about this… the story sort of starts with you. And I’ve got to say I made out with you and got depressed, which is kind of a bummer,” she explained. “[He said], ‘Of course. I love you and I think it’s really important and I’m so proud of you … If you want, I will be there and I will hold your hand.’ It was so sweet, and this story really makes Johnny look good.”
Adding, “I just want people to know that we do often say things like, ‘It gets better,’ and it does get better.”
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