Non-binary actor Emma Corrin says there's 'intense pressure' to justify identity
Watch: Emma Corrin reflects on gender identity and sexuality
Emma Corrin has opened up about their non-binary identity, revealing there might always be “some fluidity” with their gender.
The 26-year-old actor, who rose to fame playing Princess Diana in The Crown, quietly came out as non-binary in July 2021 when they updated their preferred pronouns on Instagram to read she/they.
Previous to that they also posted a photo modelling a wedding dress, which they captioned: “Ur fave queer bride”.
Now, in a new interview for Vogue’s August cover story, Corrin discussed their sexuality and gender, explaining they have occasionally felt “intense pressure” to justify their position.
Read more: Coming out as LGBTQ+: How to support someone
A person who identifies as non-binary does not define themselves exclusively as masculine or feminine, and generally prefers they/them pronouns, rather than he/she.
“In my mind, gender just isn’t something that feels fixed,” the actor told the publication.
“I don’t know if it ever will be; there might always be some fluidity there for me.”
Read more: The Crown's Emma Corrin reveals why she's decided to grow her body hair
Though they feel “much more seen” when they are referred to as they, the My Policeman star said they do not mind that some of their closest friends still refer to them as she, as they know Corrin personally.
When it comes to romance, Corrin does not place limits on who they are attracted to, simply saying: “I like people.”
However, they said they have at times felt “intense pressure” to justify their LGBTQ+ identity, saying: “I’m working out all this complex gender and sexuality stuff.
“And yet, I’m seeing a guy? That feels very juxtaposed, even if I’m very happy.”
Corrin also opened up about how their family reacted when they came out, revealing that they were supportive and recalling how after they told their mum they were dating a girl, their younger brother messaged them saying: “Hey, I wanted to say welcome, because I’ve been bi for ages.”
The actor went on to note that the next generation seem to be “much more chill” about these topics.
“They are finding a way to express themselves which is less binary in a very organic way. While we’re almost caught in between,” they added.
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Corrin rose to fame playing a young Diana, Princess of Wales in the fourth season of Netflix’s hit drama series The Crown, for which they won the Golden Globe award.
They are soon star as Marion in the upcoming film My Policeman, alongside Harry Styles, and will play Lady Chatterley in the film adaptation of D H Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
But they say it isn't always comfortable for them to portray femininity on screen, saying: “I remember struggling with having to wear bras in Chatterley and as Marion, but it’s quite difficult, because I’m not Emma, right? I’m an actor, and I have a job to do.”
Additional reporting PA Real Life.
