Actor James Haven, the 53-year-old older brother of Angelina Jolie, came out as gay on Thursday during a candid livestream discussion on Substack with his ex-wife and close friend Romi Imbelli. The emotional announcement marked what Haven described as entering a new chapter in his life.
Haven and Imbelli were married in August 2024 during a ceremony in Laguna Beach, California, after knowing each other for over 20 years. Legal documents later revealed that Imbelli filed for an annulment on August 27, 2024, just 15 days after the wedding took place, before announcing the filing publicly in March the following year.
During the livestream, Imbelli explained that she wanted to give Haven the opportunity to speak on this after he released a written statement on her Substack. She told viewers, "Today's a new day. We get to be this and you get to be, Gem, what are you?" prompting Haven to laugh and ask, "Is this the cue?" before declaring, "I'm gay."
Haven also read his statement aloud during the broadcast, reflecting on his childhood and his early feelings about identity. He recalled, "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."
Haven added that he "didn't have the language back then to explain why I just knew it made me feel more like me," explaining that "it was never about pretending to be someone else. It was about letting a part of myself shine that had always been there." Over time, he began to question "if that sparkle was something I had to hide to be accepted by the "normal" boys around me."
He noted that "like so many gay kids, I learned to question parts of myself long before I learned to celebrate them." Haven shared that he was ready to tell the truth, "not because he's changed, but because he's tired of hiding. Coming out isn't about becoming someone new, it's about allowing everyone else to meet the person who has been here all along."
Reflections on family and childhood
In his statement, Haven expressed his hopes for how his loved ones and others would react to his announcement. He said, "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 added, "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 explained that the "little boy with glitter on his face and mascara on his lashes was never confused, broken, or something to be ashamed of. He was simply gay. He was joyful. He was brave before he even knew it."
In an additional Substack video, Haven spoke about stepping into a "new chapter" and feeling "free" in his life. Dated August 6, 2026, the video recorded Haven saying, "Today is August 6, 2026 and I, James Haven, begin a new chapter in my life. After many years of healing from childhood trauma, I am now free to live the life I believe I was always meant to live."
He described his new direction as "one of hope, one of peace, and one of love. So, as my story unfolds, I want you all to know that I do it with an open heart with nothing but love for myself and for all of you." He also sent gratitude to those who read his statement for "allowing me to be what I was meant to be."
Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Angelina Jolie for comment regarding her brother's announcement, but has yet to hear back.
Relationship with ex-wife Romi Imbelli
During the livestream, Imbelli shared her own perspective on their relationship and marriage, telling Haven that she had a feeling he had been gay when they married but did not want to admit it to herself at the time. "I didn't want to see it. I didn't want to believe. I knew it and I wanted to support you and love you," she said. "And then I didn't want to believe it because then it would mean losing you in that capacity, which I couldn't."
Imbelli, who has known Haven for over 20 years, stated that he was still her "life partner" following the split. "We will do life together. You are not my close friend. You are my love. And you happen to be gay," she said.
Page Six also reported on Thursday that Haven will officially launch his own weekly podcast titled Save Haven with James Haven, although a release date has yet to be announced.
Imbelli, who is preparing to release a memoir titled Breathe Mija, also shared a post to her Instagram account that included photos of both her and Haven.
In her Instagram post, Imbelli wrote, "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." She added, "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." Imbelli added, "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..."
Haven and Imbelli married in August 2024 after knowing each other for over 23 years at the time. The following year in March, Imbelli announced that she had filed for an annulment. Legal documents revealed that Romi filed for an annulment on August 27, 2024, just 15 days after the wedding took place.
Haven and Jolie are both the children of Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. The siblings infamously shared a controversial kiss at the 2000 Oscars and Golden Globes.
