Jerrod Carmichael appears as gay in new HBO comedy special

Stand-up comedian Jerrod Carmichael appears as gay in his new show on HBO.

Carmichael, 34, appears on stage in “Ruthaniel,” which premieres Friday night, after he says he caught his father cheating once.

“Then it was out in the open, I was left alone feeling like a liar, because I had a secret. One I kept from my dad, mom, family, friends and you. Professionally and personally. The secret is that I’m gay,” he declares, for each assortment.

At first, the former “Carmichael Show” star is met with a long silence, but then the audience finally begins to applaud in support of his transparency.

“I accept love. I really appreciate love,” he responds to applause. “My ego wants to rebel against it.”

Later, Carmichael explained that he had “rebelled” against his sexuality “all his life,” explaining, “I thought I’d never go out. A lot of times, I thought I’d rather die than face the reality of it, to actually tell people. Because I know it changes some people’s perceptions.” about me. I can’t control that.”

Filmed at New York City’s popular Blue Note Jazz Club in February, “Rothaniel” finds the comic poetic about his family’s history and years-long reluctance to show up, revealing that while some of his relationships thrived, others suffered because of it. honesty.

Carmichael, who hosts “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, spoke about his sexual experiences with men on the 2019 HBO special, “Home Movies,” in which he recounted telling his mother, “I’ve reached out to men before.”

He also talked about feeling “confident in his sexuality” during June 2019 An interview with the breakfast clubwhere host Charlemagne Tha Judd joked, “I can’t wait for a man to broadcast you!”

North Carolina native Ruthaniel admits that while his relationship with his mom took a turn after getting out, he remains optimistic about their future.

“As much as you believe in God, I believe in personal growth and a sense of freedom,” he says. “And I feel more free.”

“Rothaniel” premieres Friday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.