The actor recalls his complex feelings towards men growing up and how his relationship with his father eventually evolved

Rupert Everett has opened up about his difficult relationship with the men in his family during his childhood, admitting that he “hated all men” and preferred spending time with women. The actor, best known for his roles in The Importance of Being Earnest and My Best Friend’s Wedding, reflected on growing up in a military family, where the men were often involved in sailing trips and military pursuits, activities he did not enjoy.

Speaking on the Rosebud With Gyles Brandreth podcast, Everett explained how the men in his family, who were from a military and naval background, would go sailing every weekend. He described the outings as “horrible,” recalling how the men would carry heavy bags filled with sails and oars. He admitted that he much preferred staying inside with the women of his family, helping his grandmother and aunt with domestic tasks like licking the pudding bowl.

“I loved my grandmother, I loved my aunt, I loved my mother, and I hated all the men,” Everett said, revealing the estrangement he felt from the male side of his family. He also pondered how his feelings of distrust towards men shaped his own understanding of his sexuality. Despite these early difficulties, he noted that he and his father eventually “got on very well” over time.

Everett also shared a story about a particular childhood moment when he wore high heels, an act that infuriated his father, Major Anthony Michael Everett. However, the actor stated that his father, despite his initial anger, never objected when Everett played female roles in school plays.

As a child, Everett described himself as “shy” and “quiet” and recalled how he loved to cross-dress. He confessed that he would often sneak into cupboards at home, donning one of his mother’s discarded skirts, and pretend to be Julie Andrews’ daughter after watching The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. “I was a great crossdresser,” Everett recalled, noting that he would play “house” in drag in secret.

Reflecting on his early feelings, Everett revealed that until he was around 15, he wanted to be a girl, and in a 2020 interview with The Times magazine, he expressed that the transgender movement had overshadowed the fight for gay rights.

In his personal life, Everett has been in a long-term relationship with Brazilian accountant Henrique, and he has also had relationships with several well-known women, including Susan Sarandon and the late Paula Yates.