Kendall Jenner Sets the Record Straight on Rumors About Her Sexuality

9 January 2026

Jenner said that she is not gay. YouTube/@InYourDreamsWithOwenThiele

Supermodel and reality television star Kendall Jenner has finally broken her silence on persistent online rumors speculating that she is secretly gay, offering perhaps her most candid response yet in a conversation that has captivated social media and celebrity culture alike. In an appearance on the In Your Dreams podcast with host Owen Thiele, Jenner, 30, addressed the swirling speculation head-on, acknowledging the long-running chatter while making clear where she stands personally and emotionally.

She spoke not only about what she believes about herself but also about the broader tone and implications of how people talk about someone’s private life, particularly online where commentary can veer into cruelty and conjecture. Her comments shine a light on how even the most successful public figures negotiate identity, privacy and speculation in an era defined by social media scrutiny.

“There’s this whole side of the internet that thinks I’m a lesbian,” Jenner told Thiele, reflecting on years of rumors that have periodically trended across platforms. The discussion was grounded in a frustration with the tone of such speculation, more than with the content itself, and it focused on how commentary about sexuality too often veers into the mean-spirited or invasive rather than being grounded in respect or support. “What really bothers me is how mean people are about it,” she said, describing how speculation often lacks empathy and is framed more as judgment than curiosity. She pointed out that the way people discuss sexuality online is sometimes accusatory, or framed as though she is hiding something, rather than being thoughtful or open-minded.

Jenner’s core message was clear: while she does not currently identify as gay, she would have no issue being openly gay if that were her experience. “I understand that coming out is not an easy thing for anybody,” she said, acknowledging the complexity and difficulty that many people face when discussing their own sexuality publicly. But she went on to say that knowing herself and how she wants to live her life, she believes she would already be open about it if she were gay, because authenticity is important to her. She emphasized that a fear of coming out, or a narrative in which she is hiding something, does not align with her own values or her sense of self.

Throughout the episode, Jenner addressed some of the specific theories that have circulated over the years about why she might not have publicly acknowledged a same-sex orientation. Some commentators have speculated that her business interests, particularly those connected to her high-profile family and their media enterprises, could make it difficult for her to be open about certain aspects of her personal life.

Jenner dismissed that idea directly, calling it unfounded and frankly confusing. She noted that she has seen “really messed up things that are like, it’s bad for business,” adding that she doesn’t understand how personal identity could be weaponized in that way. Her comments made clear that she felt strongly against the notion that anyone including herself would conceal a fundamental aspect of their identity for career reasons.

But the conversation was not limited to denying rumors. Jenner also shared broader insight into her approach to life experiences and relationships. While she affirmed that she does not think she identifies as gay at this stage in her life, she was candid about not closing “doors to experiences in life.” That phrasing suggested a philosophical openness to whatever the future holds, even if her current identity remains anchored outside of the LGBTQIA+ labels that have been ascribed to her online. In this way, her perspective emphasized fluidity and personal growth rather than rigid categorization.

The backdrop to this discussion is a long history of online and media speculation regarding Jenner’s personal life. Over the years, browsers, tabloids and social platforms have noted that she is often more private about her dating life and relationships than her sisters. This privacy, combined with her enigmatic public persona and myriad close friendships including high-profile connections with other women has fueled speculation that refuses to go away. Jenner addressed this directly, saying that part of the reason these rumors persist is simply that she doesn’t share as much as other public figures about her personal relationships, and that silence is often read inaccurately as secrecy.

Jenner also made a point about how personal matters such as sexuality and relationships intersect with public perception. She emphasized that these conversations should be handled with kindness and respect rather than hostility, noting that people often forget the real emotional weight that such speculation can carry. Her stance underscored an important theme for many in the public eye: a demand for dignity, even in widely shared discussions about identity.

Ultimately, Kendall Jenner’s comments reflect not just a denial of a particular rumor but a broader plea for empathy in how the media and public talk about sexuality, privacy and personal experience. She challenged the narrative that she is hiding something simply because she has chosen not to discuss every intimate detail of her life, and she made clear that authenticity not sensationalism is her guiding principle.