It’s not often that Magic Talk’s drive show host Ryan Bridge finds himself lost for words. But when The AM Show fill-in host had just been accidentally outed by co-host Mark Richardson – who joked that Ryan collected “ex-boyfriends” – he knew he only had a few seconds to make a split decision about how to respond on live TV.
“I thought, ‘Well, there’s no getting around that one. People are going to be wondering and I’m going to have to acknowledge it,” says Ryan, recalling how he burst into tears as soon as they went to an ad break.
“I was overwhelmed. It was shock, but also looking back on it, it was relief,” explains the 33-year-old.
“I had been on telly and radio for five years and never once mentioned I was gay. Everyone in the newsroom and all my family knew.
“It’s not that I had hidden it,” he pauses. “Well, I guess I had in a way by not saying it publicly. It’s just not at the forefront of how I describe myself. I wanted to be known as a good interviewer or a talented broadcaster before being the ‘gay guy from TV’.”
Ryan says he’d always worried that if he did come out, people wouldn’t accept him or find him relatable anymore. However, the experience has shown him that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I received the most hilarious emails from listeners and viewers in the weeks afterwards. Bruce from Timaru emailed, ‘Me and me mates love watching you and we don’t care who you’re shagging!’” he laughs.
Denne historien er fra July 19, 2021-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 19, 2021-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK