Boring is not a word one would ever use to describe Christian Wilkins.
The son of Today’s entertainment guru Richard Wilkins and his ex-partner Michelle Burke has carved out a name for himself as a stylist and model – he works at Channel Nine HQ styling on-air talent – and is endlessly entertaining both on Instagram (you can follow him here) and on the red carpet.
Here’s a list of clothing items the 24-year-old has donned in front of the cameras recently – a skintight pale yellow onesie, cropped just belong the groin, a floor length black ballgown, a leather mini-dress and matching cowboy boots, plus a killer pair of skintight sequinned pants.
And now we’re seeing Christian up his costume game once again, as a contestant on the new 2020 season of Dancing With The Stars.
Now, you might be wondering about Christian’s sexuality. Well, he’s gay and a proud member of the LGBTIQ community.
But interestingly, Christian says he never had that traditional “coming out” experience with his family, because he was “never in”.
And just like how heterosexual people don’t feel the need to declare their sexual orientation to the world, Christian says more gay people are choosing to reject the pressure to reveal their homosexual status publicly in a big announcement.
“I have never said to either of my parents I am gay,” he told news.com.au’s podcast Balls Deep.
“I just don’t think there was ever this assumption that I was necessarily straight or that I needed to say something.”
Christian’s sexuality was something he had never discussed with his father until very recently.
“I remember a few years ago one of my dad’s friends said to me one night that Dad wanted me to come out and that he wanted me to say that I was gay to him,” Christian said.
“The next Monday I went in to his office and shut the door. I was a little bit annoyed because I didn’t really think that was something that he [Richard Wilkins] should want.
“I said to him, ‘why do you want me to come out?’ And he turned to me and said, ‘honestly I don’t know what you mean? If you feel the need to come out then I’m here and I want you to know that I love you, but you don’t need to do anything for me’.”
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Christian and Wilkins on the red carpet together.
(Credit: Getty)
The pair goofing around on the Today show set.
(Credit: Getty)
Christian and his best mate Andrew Kelly.
(Credit: Getty)But despite his confident outlook now, it wasn’t always like this for Christian.
“I have always had issues with self esteem,” he explained.
“There was a phase when I didn’t like the fact that I was gay. It was very hard for me to articulate [problems] because I didn’t really understand them completely.
“I think I am very confident but I think that confidence comes from having low self-esteem. I have come to a point now where I do really like myself … but when I was younger … I was a weird, arty gay kid that didn’t really fit in.
“It was a long time before I had any romantic interest from people, and I think that played with me a lot.
“I put on this mask of confidence and it became this real deal after a while.”
READ NEXT: Richard Wilkins opens up about raising his son with Down syndrome
Christian rocking a typically fierce lewk.
(Credit: Getty)Christian says other LGBTIQ people shouldn’t feel pressure to “come out” to their friends and family, unless it’s something they think will be helpful.
He says neither of his parents expected him to say the words “I am gay”.
“If you need to come out or you want to come out, then come out but you shouldn’t have to,” Christian said.
“I truly was never in, and I never felt the need to say ‘I am gay’ when reporters asked, because it was never an issue for my family or my friends.”
WATCH BELOW: Richard Wilkins opens up about his son with Down syndrome on the Today Show.
He says pursuing a career in the entertainment industry and following after his father is something he is thrilled to do.
“I am really, really proud of my dad,” Christian said.
“To be his son, follow in his footsteps is a huge honour and not something I’m ashamed of. I love my dad, I love my mum and I love my family. I am not at all embarrassed or want to break out from that.”
