New year, new Cody Alan.
Actually, same old Cody Alan. But the Country Music Television star and host has made an announcement that may cause some fans to see him in a new light.
And that announcement is this:
He’s gay.
“2017. As we start a new year, there is something I want to share with you,” Alan wrote at the outset of a long caption to the above image on Instagram, adding:
“You see, I’m gay. This is not a choice I made, but something I’ve known about myself my whole life.”
In admirable, open fashion, he continued:
Through life’s twists and turns, marriage, divorce, fatherhood, successes, failures – I’ve landed on this day, a day when I’m happier and healthier than I’ve ever been.
And I’m finally comfortable enough for everyone to know this truth about me. Thanks for following me and supporting me over the years.
As we continue our journey, I hope this news won’t change how you see me.
I’m still the same Cody I always was. You just know a little more about me now. My hope for the future is to live the most honest, authentic, loving, and open life possible. Here’s to being happy with yourself, no matter who you are, who you love, where you come from, or what cards life has dealt you.
Thanks again. With much heart, Cody.
Alan also talked in detail about his sexuality, his history and his reasoning for coming out now in an interview with People Magazine.
Said the iHeartRadio host to the publication:
“Though my TV or my radio persona was always that of a happy guy, there was this underlying ache inside of me for years, so I decided either I was gonna do something about it, or I was gonna live with this layer of misery underneath that happy face on the TV.”
How terrible is that?!?
That there are so many unhappy gay people out there, afraid to be their true selves?
“I’ve wanted to share this part of my life, but I now have gotten to the point where it just feels right, and I’m at peace with where I am enough to be able to express it,” Alan added.
Alan went on to say that he “struggled” with his sexuality from a very young age while growing up in South Carolina.
He said he was “ashamed.”
At the age of 24, he fully suppressed these feelings and tendencies and actually got married.
“It’s what everyone wanted me to do, and I felt, somehow, like maybe that’s what would make me straight – and obviously that’s not how it works! But I dreamed of that family, which I now have,” he explained to People.
Alan, indeed, is the father to an 18-year old and a 14-year old.
About a decade ago, Alan realized he couldn’t go on that way, however.
He had a long talk with his wife, he got a divorce and “I took very small steps to make my life better and get to the point where I could be happy.”
Over the years, Alan has confided privately in a few close friends and family members.
But he’s now decided to take a major, public step.
And he really hopes he can make a difference.
“I would like to be a voice that can speak to people who are facing challenges that we all face, for struggles that we all come across, because we’re all going through something,” he says.
“To be able to say: There is life, and you can find it, and take steps to improve yourself based on what you know… If I could be someone who’s vocal about facing struggles and overcoming them, I’d like to be.”
We wish Cody Alan the very best of luck in his journey.
Good for him!