James Haven, the brother of legendary actress Angelina Jolie, has come out as gay. This comes just months after he split from his ex-wife, Romi Imbelli, with the two appearing together live on Romi’s Substack, where he made the announcement.
“I’m gay,” Haven said on the Thursday, August 6 livestream.
Haven also penned a letter about his journey, reading it aloud on the livestream.
“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, going on to add that he “didn’t have the language back then to explain why I just knew it made me feel more like me.”
But, by coming out, Haven said that he wants to let out the “shine that had always been there”
“Coming out isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about allowing everyone else to meet the person who has been here all along. … I hope my family and others can choose love over fear, understanding over judgment and connection over the beliefs that may have kept us apart,” he continued. “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.”
Haven, who is the son of Jon Voight and the late Marcheline Bertrand, married on August 15 but was only married for 15 days before they separated. The two got their marriage annulled in March 2025.
Romi Imbelli Pens Heartfelt Note To James Haven Following Announcement
On Thursday morning, Haven’s ex-wife penned a heartfelt note regarding his announcement.
“The secret chapter is live. Because sometimes… the ending isn’t really the ending. Writing 𝕭𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕸𝖎𝖏𝖆 has been one of the most healing experiences of my life. It gave me my voice back, but more importantly, it brought my best friend back into my life,” Imbelli wrote. “This story was never just mine. It was ours. I wasn’t here to out someone I love. I was here to help set someone free. There is a difference. In return he set me free.
“Forgiveness, grace, and unconditional love have carried us to this moment. We ask only that you give him the same compassion as he learns to walk through this world with his head held high, exactly as God made him,” she continued. “Love doesn’t always fit into the boxes we’re taught it should. Sometimes it transforms. Sometimes it changes shape. Sometimes it asks us to let go of what we imagined so we can embrace what is true.”
“I’ll always love him. Just not as his wife, but as my family, my best friend, and one of the greatest loves of my life,” she concluded. “Thank you for reading our story, holding space for our hearts, and reminding us that healing is always worth it. This was the song his mom gave him… she used to call him Pony Boy.”
Fans Show Support
“Takes a lot of courage to share something that personal with the world,” one person commented.
“Wishing him happiness and support as he embraces this new chapter,” another person posted.
