Jodie Foster - what the hell took you so long?

outnorthwest's Annie Emery asks, "What the hell took you so long?"

Last December ­ at the ripe old gay age of 44 and following years of speculation, Hollywood A- lister Jodie Foster finally came out; acknowledging her female partner: film producer Cydney Bernard during her thank you speech after winning an award at the Women in Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast in Los Angeles.

So what the hell took her so long, and why the need to keep her private life so utterly private? Despite questions around the paternity of her two sons and constant calls from critics to be out and proud, a defiant Foster has consistently refused to discuss her private life and sexual orientation. But who has the right to demand that another person must disclose their sexuality ­ particularly if that person, through their chosen profession and success ­ has the eyes of the world upon them? Growing up as a tomboy-turned-dyke and fancying the pants off Jodie from a young age ­ it would have been fantastic to have had such a sexy talented role model to aspire to ­ but on the other hand ­ private lives surely should be private and it should be up to individuals whether they want to shout it from the rooftops.

Foster is one of only a few Hollywood actresses to have publicly acknowledged they are lesbian. So why do Hollywood stars find it so difficult to come out? Is it really career suicide in this day and age?
Surely someone as successful as Jodie Foster; who has made the leap many haven¹t from child star to Oscar winning adult and who has the talent and drive to take on the gutsy, feminist power roles that many leading ladies run screaming from, will continue to be as successful on her merits as an actress regardless of who she chooses to take to bed?

Jodie is lucky though. Even after all these years when everybody knew, she only had to come out once ­ the rest of us of have to do it every day of our lives.

To read the rest of our Hollywood Closet feature click here