James Haven, Angelina Jolie's brother and the son of Hollywood legend Jon Voight, publicly came out as gay Thursday.
Haven released a video statement accompanied by a lengthy caption on his ex-wife Romi Imbelli's Instagram page.
"I, James Haven, begin a new chapter of my life," the former actor began. "After many years of healing from childhood trauma, I am now free to live the life that I believe I was always meant to live. One of hope, one of peace and one of love."
Haven continued, "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 thanked fans for "allowing me to be what I was meant to be."
Imbelli and Haven were married in August 2024, and filed paperwork to have their marriage annulled just 15 days later, according to People.
In addition to the Instagram announcement revealing his sexual orientation, Haven also read a letter he had written aloud via livestream on Imbelli's Substack, "Breathe Mija."
"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," he said, as he read the letter aloud.
Haven noted that he "didn't have the language back then to explain why I just knew it made me feel more like me."
"It was never about pretending to be someone else. It was about letting a part of myself shine that had always been there," he said.
He asserted that he decided to publicly come out, "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."
Haven addressed his famous family, saying he hopes that they "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," he said. (RELATED: 'The Bachelor' Star Colton Underwood Admitted To Concealing Tattoo To Hide Identity During Gay Hookups)
Haven continued, "That 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."
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