In a candid interview on the podcast Dinner’s on Me aired on April 8, 2025, actor Matt Bomer shared his insights on his early career struggles and the media’s treatment towards him. He reflected on the challenges he faced, particularly during the initial stages of his rise in the entertainment industry.
During the discussion, Bomer addressed how media personality and blogger Perez Hilton began discussing his personal life in the 2000s, even before Bomer had the chance to share his own narrative. This period was notably marked by a decade preceding Bomer’s public acknowledgment of his sexuality, which he made while accepting an award for his activism related to HIV at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards.
Expressing his frustrations, Bomer remarked that he felt deprived of the opportunity to represent himself. He stated:
“No media outlet was ever going like ‘Hey!’ I just didn’t have a career that warranted that. It felt kind of unfair to me, that that was stolen by people who did have a microphone at the time.”
For those interested, the full interview can be accessed here.
Bomer, recognized for his role in American Horror Story, described the peculiar atmosphere of that time, where personal moments with his husband, Simon Halls, and their children unexpectedly became public. Despite these challenges, he conveyed a sense of contentment regarding his life choices. He recognized the unwavering support from his family, stating:
“That was my safety net. And I was like, you know what? If the worst happens is that I don’t work again and I have this beautiful family who I love and who loves me, then so be it.”
Decisions in Film: Matt Bomer on Rejecting Barbie
Following the revelations about his media experience, Bomer recently spoke to Business Insider on April 10, where he discussed his decision to turn down a role in the highly anticipated film Barbie in favor of his participation in the romantic drama Maestro, released in 2023.
Bomer previously shared with Vanity Fair his enthusiasm for auditioning as Ken in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. He even recorded an audition tape that showcased various interpretations of the character. He elaborated:
“I recorded the lines of the other person’s dialogue on my recorder and then gave myself space to respond.”
However, he ultimately chose to commit to Maestro, citing his admiration for working alongside director Bradley Cooper, despite his role not being extensively prominent. He noted:
“It was such an immersive experience that to have just flown in from London to film my scenes [in ‘Barbie’] really quick and fly back to London – I feel like ‘Maestro’ wouldn’t have been the same experience for me.”
For a deeper dive into his thoughts, you can watch the complete interview here.
Bomer revealed that working on Maestro significantly influenced his future career direction, allowing him to acclimate to the creative environment that the film presented. Most recently, he appeared as Jerry Frank in the Hulu comedy series Mid-Century Modern. Looking ahead, he is set to star in a black comedy titled Outcome, alongside Keanu Reeves, although a release date has yet to be announced.