In a deeply personal and long-awaited public declaration, James Haven, the older brother of Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie, has come out as gay, describing his journey as one of healing, self-acceptance, and liberation. At fifty-three, the actor and producer made his announcement through a heartfelt video shared on Instagram by his former wife and now closest friend, Romi Imbelli. The revelation marks a significant turning point in a life that has often been lived in the shadow of his famous sister, and it comes after years of grappling with personal trauma and the complexities of identity.
“I, James Haven, begin a new chapter of my life,” Haven states in the video, which features a montage of photographs and clips celebrating his enduring friendship with Imbelli. His words are measured but resonant, carrying the weight of decades of introspection. He explains that his decision to speak publicly about his sexuality is not a sudden impulse but the culmination of a long and often challenging process. “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.” This admission is particularly poignant given the public scrutiny that has followed him throughout his life, often casting him as a peripheral figure in the larger narrative of the Jolie-Pitt dynasty.
Haven’s story is inextricably linked to his family, a dynasty that has fascinated the public for decades. As the son of acclaimed actor Jon Voight and the late Marcheline Bertrand, he was born into a world of artistic prestige and Hollywood glamour. However, the reality of his upbringing was far more complex than the red carpets and magazine covers suggested. Growing up alongside his sister Angelina, who would go on to become one of the most recognizable faces in cinema history, Haven experienced a childhood that was both privileged and challenging. His relationship with his father has been a subject of public interest, often described as strained and fraught with difficulties, while his bond with his mother was famously close. Bertrand, who passed away in 2007 after a battle with cancer, was a pivotal figure in her children’s lives, and Haven has often spoken about the profound influence she had on shaping his worldview. This context makes his recent confession about his childhood trauma all the more significant, as it hints at private battles that were being waged long before he felt able to share his truth with the world.
The Instagram video, posted by Romi Imbelli, adds another layer of depth to Haven’s revelation. Imbelli, who was married to Haven from 2001 to 2008, has remained a steadfast presence in his life, and her role in sharing his announcement underscores the importance of chosen family in his journey. The way Imbelli describes their relationship—transitioning from spouses to best friends—is a testament to the kind of unconditional support that often becomes essential when navigating complex personal transitions. In an era where coming out stories are increasingly common, Haven’s experience stands out for its emphasis on the long, quiet road to self-discovery that often precedes the public declaration. The support system he has cultivated, including his enduring friendship with Imbelli, suggests that his journey has been surrounded by love and understanding, even when the world outside did not yet know his truth.
Haven expanded on his journey during an appearance on Imbelli’s Substack livestream, Breathe Mija, where the conversation turned to his sexuality with a candidness that few public figures manage to achieve. The discussion was notable not just for what was said, but for the ease and affection with which it was conducted. Imbelli, demonstrating the intimacy of their long friendship, offered a supportive and playful counterpoint as Haven confirmed his identity, stating simply, “I’m gay.” Imbelli’s response—”As gay as gay can be”—was not just an affirmation but a celebration of his finally being able to voice the truth he had likely known for years. This interaction provided a rare glimpse into a supportive dynamic that is often absent from the public discourse surrounding celebrity coming-out narratives. It also highlighted the evolution of their relationship from a conventional marriage to something far more nuanced and meaningful, a friendship that transcends the labels traditionally assigned to such partnerships.
What made the livestream particularly touching was a personal anecdote shared by Imbelli that connected Haven’s present identity to his past. She revealed that Haven’s late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, had an affectionate nickname for her son: “pony boy.” At the time, Haven recalls, he did not fully grasp the significance of the term. He later admitted, “I only later learned it was a gay term for a young gay man.” This small revelation speaks to the way in which our identities are often recognized by those who love us long before we are ready to see them ourselves. It also underscores the complicated relationship between mother and son, where affection and understanding were present even if the language to describe his identity was not yet fully understood by him. For Haven, this memory seems to serve as a confirmation that his journey toward authenticity was not a deviation from who he was meant to be, but rather a fulfillment of a destiny that his mother perhaps already intuited. The fact that Bertrand used this term with affection, long before her son was ready to embrace that aspect of himself, adds a bittersweet layer to his coming out narrative.
