James Haven comes out as gay after marriage annulment

James Haven, the older brother of Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, has publicly shared that he is gay following the end of his marriage to Romi Imbelli.

Haven revealed his sexuality during a live broadcast that appeared on Imbelli’s Substack platform. During the conversation, he also announced the launch of his upcoming weekly podcast, Save Haven with James Haven, where he plans to speak with guests about the defining moments, personal decisions, and life experiences that have shaped their identities.

Speaking openly about his journey, Haven explained that he came out to Imbelli after their marriage was annulled in March 2025. The couple had tied the knot in August 2024, but their relationship ended only 15 days after the wedding.

Reflecting on his childhood, Haven shared that he had always felt different but did not have the words to explain those feelings at the time. He recalled being fascinated by Disney princesses from a very young age, saying the characters helped him connect with a part of himself that he could not yet understand.

He emphasized that his interest was never about pretending to be someone else. Instead, he described it as allowing his authentic personality to shine through. According to Haven, publicly acknowledging his sexuality is not about changing who he is but about letting others see the person he has always been.

The actor and producer also expressed hope that his family and those close to him would respond with compassion and understanding. He said he wished people would choose love over fear and focus on their personal connection with him rather than labels or assumptions. Haven added that he remains the same individual, with the same personality and heart, despite sharing this deeply personal part of his life.

During the livestream, Romi Imbelli voiced her support for Haven and admitted that she had long suspected he was gay. She explained that accepting the reality of the situation was emotionally difficult because she feared it would mean losing the relationship they had built together.

Imbelli said she wanted to continue loving and supporting Haven while also coming to terms with the truth. She acknowledged that balancing those emotions had been challenging but ultimately believed honesty was the best path forward.

Despite the end of their marriage, Imbelli described Haven as her lifelong partner in a different sense, saying they would continue to support one another through life. She expressed affection for him and said his sexual orientation did not change the love and respect she had for him as a person.

Haven and Imbelli were married in a private ceremony in Laguna Beach, California, in August 2024. The intimate event was attended by close family members, including Haven’s father, actor Jon Voight. However, his sister, Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie, was reportedly not present at the ceremony.

By publicly sharing his story, Haven hopes his experience will encourage greater understanding, acceptance, and compassion for others who are navigating similar personal journeys.