Jodie Foster is an enduring icon of the film industry, boasting a career that spans several decades, commencing in the late 1960s. She rapidly ascended to stardom, largely due to her unforgettable performances in cinematic classics like «Taxi Driver.»
Nonetheless, for a substantial period, she concealed her authentic self from the public eye. When she eventually unveiled her truth, it left many astonished that she had kept it hidden for so long. Continue reading to delve deeper into her story.
Several years ago, a resurfaced interview from when Jodie Foster was just 17 years old took the internet by storm. In this interview, a journalist inquired about her preferences in men, posing the question, «What kind of fellas do you like?» The young actress adeptly navigated the query, maintaining her composure. However, her facial expression during that moment has remained a subject of discussion for years.
Foster adopted a strategy of guarding her personal life with utmost discretion. She skillfully evaded questions about her romantic interests and managed to keep her private life out of the spotlight. This approach was common among entertainers within the LGBTQ community who refrained from openly discussing their sexuality to avoid potential career repercussions.
Throughout the 1990s, tabloids frequently speculated about Foster’s sexual orientation, with persistent questions about whether the acclaimed «Silence of the Lambs» actress was a lesbian. Foster chose to remain silent in the face of these inquiries, continuing to lead her life privately. In 1998, she welcomed her first son, followed by the birth of her second son three years later.
It took 35 years from her 17-year-old interview, in 2013, for Jodie Foster to openly share her truth. She received an award for her remarkable contributions to the film industry and chose this moment to reveal her authentic self. In her acceptance speech, she candidly stated, «I hope you’re not disappointed that there won’t be a big coming-out speech tonight because I already did my coming out about a thousand years ago back in the Stone Age.»
By this time, the industry had evolved, and she had grown weary of concealing her truth. With confidence, Foster declared, «While I’m here being all confessional, I guess I just have a sudden urge to say something that I’ve never really been able to air in public.»
She disclosed that she was presently single, but from 1993 to 2008, she had shared her life with producer Sidney Bernard and the two of them raised their two sons together. Foster referred to Bernard as her best friend and expressed gratitude for the family they had built. In the audience, her sons Kit and Charlie showed no surprise, while the rest of the audience was visibly moved by the actress’s sincerity.
In that same year, she spoke openly about her current love, Alexandra Hedison. Her partner, Hedison, had also been an actress in the late 1990s, but she later transitioned to photography, feeling that it was a more suitable path for her.
Hedison is celebrated in her own right, particularly in the realm of home design, and her work has been showcased in numerous galleries. From 2000 to 2004, she was in a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres.
Despite their close connection, Foster and Hedison maintained their romance as a well-kept secret. They quietly tied the knot in 2014 and have remained committed to each other since then.
Although they no longer hide their marriage, the couple still opts for a low-key public profile. Their most recent significant public appearance was at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, where they openly displayed affection in front of cameras. That same year, Foster earned another Golden Globe for her role in «The Mauritanian.»
During her acceptance speech, which she delivered from home via video, she was joined on the couch by her wife. She concluded her speech by saying, «I love my wife, thank you, Alex!» and sealed it with a kiss to her beloved partner.
It’s truly heartwarming to witness Jodie Foster living authentically and unapologetically. Share this story with fellow Jodie Foster fans so they can appreciate how she embraces her true self today.
