Wayne Brady Says Coming Out as Pansexual Was 'About Me Being Happy,' Wishes He Did it 'Earlier' (Exclusive)

Wayne Brady is living his best life.

On Monday, May 20, the 51-year-old TV personality attended the 23rd Annual Young Trailblazers Live Out Loud Gala in New York City, where he accepted the Pathfinder Award in recognition of his support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. He told PEOPLE before that gala that “it’s amazing to be honored,” but it also makes him think back on his own life.

“Knowing the work that’s being done here and the fact that I can talk to young people and try to encourage them to live out loud, it’s something I wish I had done earlier,” Brady said on the red carpet. “The fact that an organization can encourage them and make them feel safe — that’s something I wish I had done.”

In the nine months since he revealed exclusively to PEOPLE that he’s pansexual, Brady said life hasn’t looked any different — but he’s noticed one big change.

“It’s been a year. People expect your life to change in some radical way, and it doesn’t. The only thing that changes is that you get a level of freedom that you’re happy with,” he said. “Nobody’s going to give me a parade. It’s more about me being happy.”

Wayne Brady details the ‘biggest misconception’ about pansexuality: ‘Let me set you straight’ (Exclusive)

As for how his fans and the world have received his news, Brady says he’s gotten “the response I was hoping for.”

“A lot of people loved it and I applaud you, some people don’t care and other people probably hate it. So it’s just the human condition,” the Grammy nominee said. “But at the end of the day, going back to last year, I’m happy. So no matter what any of them say, I’m great.”

Wayne Brady attends the 23rd Annual Live Out Loud Gala.

Beth Bernstein Events/Instagram

Brady recently took over the Broadway stage in a revival Wizardwhich is why he’s taking on the lead role at what he told PEOPLE is a full-circle moment in his career.

“This show is a benchmark, and not just for me, but for a lot of black performers,” he said of the show, which he remembers watching when he was younger through the 1978 film adaptation starring Diana Ross. “That was the first time we saw such amazing singing and dancing on screen from people who looked like us.”

It’s a role that called to him—and the team behind the Broadway revival felt the same way. “I keep thinking about the conversation I had with Schele [Williams]. She said: ‘Wayne, when I thought of Wiz, I thought of you. You were a phone call,'” he recalled of the moment the show’s director invited him to join. “I have a challenge where you join something and say, ‘Okay, how am I going to make this mine?’ ”

Deborah Cox, Common, Sherri Shepherd and more stars on the yellow carpet for the opening Wizard on Broadway

Brady will also return to viewers’ screens this summer with a new reality series, Wayne Brady: Family Remixwhich takes fans behind the scenes into his family life.

The upcoming Freeform series, premiering in July, follows his blended family, which includes his ex-wife Mandie Taketa, their daughter Maile Brady, 21, Taketa’s new “life partner” Jason Fordham and their son, 3-year-old Sundance-Isamu.

Wayne Brady attends the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton on March 14, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

“With Brady at a sudden crossroads in his life, Wayne Brady: Family Remix offers an intimate look into the personal life of his blended family, revealing unexpected viewpoints and values ​​that most people (including his family) have difficulty understanding,” reads the official synopsis. “People see their social media posts — from vacations to dancing on TikToks — but what’s behind the joyful 15 seconds of fun? Their real life is not always as easy and simple as it seems.”

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Wayne Brady: Family Remix premieres on Freeform on July 24 at 10:00 PM ET.

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Source: HIS Education