Colton Haynes finally opens up about being gay

Colton Haynes has finally come out publicly, and he's never been happier. Photo / Instagram

Rumours have long been circulating about the sexuality of Colton Haynes, but the Teen Wolf and Arrow star has finally spoken out about it.

Earlier this year, a fan made a comment online regarding Haynes' "secret gay past", to which Haynes replied "was it a secret?"

It was immediately assumed by fans that the star had come out, and launched Haynes back into the media spotlight he'd taken a break from.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Haynes said it was a shock to be back in the headlines.

He has always been out as gay as far as his friends and family were concerned, but had taken career advice to put it aside and had never publicly addressed it.

"I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn't ready. I didn't feel like I owed anyone anything. I think in due time, everyone has to make those decisions when they're ready, and I wasn't yet," Haynes said.

"But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said."

At the time, Haynes was in rehab for anxiety, and spent months in and out of hospital dealing with it.

"People want you to be that GQ image that you put out, but people don't realise what it's like to act 24 hours a day. I'd go home and I was still acting," he said.

"People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different, don't realise that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world."

But things are looking up for him now. He's looking at pursuing film, theatre, photography and music - all long-held passions, and is starting his own clothing line.

"It took me so long to get to this point, but I'm doing so good," Haynes said.

"I'm happier than I've ever been, and healthier than I've ever been, and that's what I care about."

-NZ Herald