Disney star Garrett Clayton comes out as gay and unveils his boyfriend in sweet Instagram post
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 10: Actor Garrett Clayton attends the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” at the Pantages Theatre on December 10, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images)
Former Disney Garrett Clayton has come out as gay and revealed that he is in a long-term relationship.
The actor, who rose to fame in Disney Channel movie series Teen Beach, shared the news on Instagram in a post explaining why he wanted to be a part of his upcoming film Reach.
In the movie, Clayton plays Steven, a socially awkward band geek who begins to take steps to kill himself. But when he meets new boy Clarence (played by Melissa & Joey‘s Johnny James Fiore), he begins to overcome his suicidal thoughts.
“REACH deals with some very serious and timely topics that have affected me personally, and have likely influenced many of your lives as well,” Clayton wrote alongside a selfie on the social media platform, before going on to explain that the script for Reach resonated with him during his first read.
Clayton said that he has dealt with suicides within his own family and bullying, as well as school shootings.
Expanding on his emotional confessions, he also revealed his partner, LA-based screenwriter Blake Knight, has experienced similar things and has “witnessed the heartache that takes place in affected communities after such tragic events.”
“(I also prefer to share things that are particularly important for me here on my IG) instead of in some random magazine or online article – because you are the ones that have been rooting for me and following me on my professional and personal journey in life,” Clayton wrote.
He continued: “These topics – not always easy to discuss- are all close to my heart, and, knowing how serious they are, I wanted to share this with you all.
“This film has come from the perspectives of people who care deeply about these issues, and if watching it helps even one person… then it was all worth it.”
While it’s uncertain just how long Clayton and Knight have been an item, Clayton said they have been a couple for “a long time.”
Clayton first appeared on Knight’s Instagram page back in January 2016, however, it is unclear whether they were romantically involved at that time.
Clayton already has somewhat of an LGBT+ following during to his guest-starring role in television series The Fosters, which centres on a lesbian couple and their adoptive, biological and foster children.
Having previously starred in ‘The Fosters’ and ‘King Cobra’, Garrett Clayton already has a strong LGBT+ following (Michael Kovac/Getty)
More recently, he appeared in gay porn drama King Cobra opposite Christian Slater, Molly Ringwald and James Franco. He played Brent Corrigan, a real life gay porn star.
Across his career, Clayton has also featured in horror movies Don’t Hang Up and Welcome to Willits, as well as TV movie Hairspray Live!
Blake Knight (L) and Garrett Clayton have been in a relationship for “a long time” according to the Disney star (Blake Knight/Instagram)
After he’ll be seen in Reach, he is set to appear in mystery thriller Between Worlds with Nicolas Cage and drama Peel alongside Emile Hirsch.
