As important as entertaining the audience is, a competent actor’s ability to bring their on-screen character to life is equally important.
Sometimes the actor gets to play themselves or a version of themselves, and other times they have to play someone completely different. Some extremely talented performers play the latter role so convincingly that admirers assume it is their true identity.
Lori Petty is one of these gifted actresses. Her portrayal of Lolly Whitehill, a lesbian character in the TV series Orange Is the New Black, sparked speculation about her sexual orientation in real life. Despite all the rumors and theories, there is no solid evidence that Petty is gay. Her previous relationships with straight males, on the other hand, indicate that she is heterosexual.
How Did The Rumors Begin?
Lori Petty’s three-decade career has left people guessing her sexuality after she played several lesbian characters. The 56-year-old actress starred in the 1992 blockbuster A League Of Their Own, which featured lesbianism, and in the 1998 film Relax…Just It’s Sex, which featured a similar narrative.
She also appeared as a lesbian character named Lilly Whitehill in the blockbuster series Orange Is The New Black in 2013. The actress was cast as a series regular after her performance was praised by her admirers.
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Petty’s involvement in films and television series that dealt with the LGBT community fueled speculation and speculations that he was gay. Furthermore, the suspicions were fueled by her lack of a companion in her life, as well as her tomboy appearance and short blonde hair.
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Her Past Relationships Indicate She Isn’t Gay
The actress from Orange Is the New Black has had love relationships with several straight men but never with a woman, putting the lesbian rumors to rest.
Lori was in a long-term relationship with fellow American actor David Alan Grier in the mid-’90s. The couple attended several red carpets and public events, causing quite a stir. Unfortunately, things between the two did not work out, and the pair chose to separate.
Following that, Petty was said to have dated Gregory Oliver Hines, a late actor and choreographer. On Valentine’s Day 2019, she shared a photo of herself kissing him on the cheeks in honor of his birthday. She referred to him as her “forever valentine” in the caption.
Petty prioritizes his career over his marriage
Petty has always prioritized her job over her personal life. Indeed, in a 2014 interview with The Daily Beast, the actress admitted that she has always prioritized her acting career over her accomplishments.
I was thirty-something and had yet to marry my agent, marry any of my male co-stars, or get Botox or false *******. I never aspired to be a bombshell; instead, I wanted to be a performer. I much prefer being a lady over being a man.
However, it appears that the diva’s attitude has shifted in recent days. She said on Instagram that she missed everything, including laughing, wearing makeup, embracing strangers, and saying “I love you.”