Lily-Rose Depp Responds To Being Labeled ‘Queer’ By The Media
Lily-Rose Depp is speaking about the reports that labeled her as “queer” last year. The daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis says she doesn’t understand why her sexuality suddenly became a hot topic.
The 16-year-old opened up about her sexuality in the latest issue of Nylon magazine. Back in August, 2015, Lily-Rose made headlines when she posed in a photo series focused on the LGBTQ community in the Self-Evident Truths Project. On Instagram, she referred to herself as “sexually fluid” and not “100 percent straight,” but believes that some people misunderstood the meaning behind her message.
“That was really misconstrued, that whole thing. A lot of people took it as me coming out, but that’s not what I was trying to do. I was literally doing it just to say that you don’t have to label your sexuality.”
Depp had a problem with being labeled as “queer” by the media. She said that people shouldn’t have to “label themselves.”
“If you like something one day then you do, and if you like something else the other day, it’s whatever. You don’t have to label yourself, because it’s not set in stone. It’s so fluid and there’s so much pressure on kids to label themselves and say ‘This is what I am, this is what I like.'”
Lily-Rose Depp isn’t the only young star who’s been speaking out about her sexuality. Last month, Girl Meets World star Rowan Blanchard, 14, took to social media to address her own sexuality. While the Disney star revealed that she only likes boys, she said that she shouldn’t be labeled based on who she likes or who she dates.
“In my life – only ever liked boys. However I personally don’t wanna label myself as straight, gay or whateva so I am not gonna give myself labels to stick with – just existing.”
The teen star then further explained her statement when a fan asked her if she’s “open to liking any other gender in the future.”
Blanchard then admitted that she’s “open to liking any gender in the future,” which is why she identifies as “queer.” Blanchard’s fans attacked the star, stating that she was reclaiming a phrase when she’s not even lesbian or bisexual.
The term “queer,” according to PFLAG, is an “umbrella term” for someone who “feels somehow outside the societal norms in regards to gender or sexuality.”
That same month, Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg came out as a “black, bisexual woman” in a video she shared on Teen Vogue’s Snapchat account. The 17-year-old revealed that it has been difficult for her to keep a part of herself hidden from the rest of the world.
It’s not every day that we hear about young actresses questioning their sexuality or coming out to the world. It’s no longer shocking or controversial when they talk about their sexuality and nor should it be. Stars like Amandla Stenberg, Rowan Blanchard, and Lily-Rose Depp can become even greater role models because they’re letting fans know it’s okay to be yourself.
The young actress also recently made her debut at the Sundance Film Festival in Kevin Smith’s movie, Yoga Hosers. Although she started her acting career at a young age, Lily-Rose still wants to live wild and free while she can. Lily-Rose is often seen hanging out with her friends and attending school on her Instagram page.
“The only movies I want to do are the ones I’m passionate about. I care about school, and I’m still a kid. I want to live like that while I can.”
Lily-Rose Deep is set to star in her next movie, Planetarium, which is set in the 1930s. The film is said to be about sisters who have supernatural powers. She will star along Natalie Portman, who specifically chose Depp for the role.
[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival]
