‘I was ashamed I liked art’: Russell Tovey remembers being told his passion was ‘gay’, but now wishes he told bullies to ‘f**k off’
While he boasts a stellar acting career, Russell Tovey has become somewhat of an art connoisseur.
The Being Human star, 41, started collecting artwork at the age of 21 when his parents bought him a Tracey Emin print called Dog Brains.
He now hosts a successful podcast Talk Art, which has seen him chatting with the likes of Pierce Brosnan and Elton John.
But when Russell first started expressing his love of art, his confidence took a hit when he was told his passion for the subject was “gay.”
The actor, who came out to himself when he was 15 but didn’t tell his family he was gay until he was 18, now wishes he could tell the bullies to fuck off.
Sad: When Russell Tovey first started expressing his love of art, his confidence took a big hit when he was told his passion for the subject was “gay”
“I remember being ashamed because I loved drama, art and literature. I was ashamed to give,” he said The independent.
“I was told everything was “gay.” That really touched me. It took me a long time to accept and embrace that enthusiasm. Too long. I wish I could go back in time and just shut up to the people who tried to make me feel small.”
Russell’s collection now exceeds 300 pieces, and he says most of his money goes to art.
The actor has shot over 300 episodes of Talk Art and now has Madonna in his sights as his next guest, with an eye on the pop queen who could provide some fascinating insight into her friendship with the late Keith Haring.
Keith was an American artist whose pop art grew out of the New York City graffiti subculture of the 1980s.
Russell said, “Madonna has never been given credit for her contribution to the art world. She has been art. In addition to her association with Haring, she dated Jean Michel Basquiat and supported so many female artists who were overlooked.”
Russell previously claimed how his father wanted him to undergo “hormone treatment” to “cure” him from being gay.
The actor said it took his father George several years to accept his sexuality when he came out as a teenager.
Passion: The Being Human star, 41, started collecting artwork at age 21 when his parents bought him a Tracey Emin print called Dog Brains
Collector: Russell’s collection now exceeds 300 pieces and he says most of his money goes to art (pictured in The Sister)
Sweet: The actor is in a relationship with Steve Brockman. The happy couple rekindled their romance in 2019 after a year apart after a brief engagement
‘I don’t think my parents were homophobic, they just didn’t know any gay people or anyone with gay children. They had nothing to cling to,” he told the newspaper earlier Sunday Times.
“My father thought it could be cured. He was afraid of what my life would be like. For him, being gay was a road full of pitfalls and misfortune; out of love he wanted to correct this weakness, put cotton wool around me and protect me against it.
Russell added that he and his father have a “great relationship” now.
The actor is in a relationship with Steve Brockman. The happy couple rekindled their romance in 2019 after a year apart after a brief engagement.
Russell was engaged to the former adult film star and rugby coach in February 2018, but then confirmed their divorce in June, before getting back together.
Though they try to keep their relationship private, Russell has expressed interest in starting a family of his own, as shortly after they split, he previously told Gay Times, “I wanted to be an actor, a history teacher and a father.”