Luke Evans, recently photographed in Portland, Oregon, opens up about his journey from a devout Jehovah’s Witness upbringing to becoming a well-known Hollywood actor. At just 13 years old, Evans found himself caught in a life-altering conflict: embrace his identity as a gay man or remain loyal to his faith. Telling his Jehovah’s Witness parents would mean exposure, shunning, and a life devoid of affection from his family, while hiding his truth would lead to a life filled with lies. Ultimately, he chose to prioritize his faith.
He became the youngest boy in his South Wales congregation to be baptized, publicly committing himself to Jehovah. This choice meant that coming out as gay would result in his expulsion from the church, cutting ties with everyone he knew, including his parents.
Now, Luke Evans shines brightly in Hollywood, renowned for his roles in blockbusters like “Fast and Furious 6,” “The Hobbit” trilogy, and “Immortals.” Yet, his path has been anything but easy. It includes running away from home at 16, living under the weight of fear and deceit, and coming out publicly not once but twice—first in the UK’s musical theatre scene and later in the U.S. as he gained fame.
In his memoir, “Boy from the Valleys,” Evans recounts his astounding and often painful story. Growing up in Aberbargoed, a small Welsh town known for its massive colliery waste tip and a large congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Evans reflects on how his early life was filled with love from his parents but also marred by the stress of door-to-door evangelism. He recalls his childhood as simultaneously nurturing and terrifying, with memories of knocking on strangers’ doors to convert them to their faith—a task he deeply disliked.
As a child, Evans faced bullying not only for his religious beliefs but also for being different. At school, he was taunted with names like “Jovey” and “Bible-basher” before the insults escalated to more hurtful labels like “Bender” or “Gay boy.” The rejection from peers left deep scars, making him feel isolated and questioning his worth.
Evans knew he was gay by secondary school but felt he couldn’t confide in his parents about the bullying. He feared they would find out about his struggles, an anxiety that haunted him throughout his adolescence.
While attending Jehovah’s Kingdom Hall, he occasionally found a semblance of joy in public speaking and performing, but it never masked the internal conflict he faced regarding his identity. A pivotal moment came at 16 when he decided to leave his home and pursue a new life in Cardiff. There, he started to explore his true self, ultimately leading to a career shift and the chance encounter that would propel him into the performing arts.
Moving through life-changing moments, Evans shared that he had to be crafty about his romantic relationships, even fabricating stories about his living arrangements to protect his parents’ feelings. However, once immersed in London’s vibrant musical theatre scene, he finally started to break free from the constraints of his childhood, discovering a world filled with opportunity and celebration of self.
Though he enjoyed success in his career, Evans faced challenges when a past interview about his sexuality resurfaced, leading to a summons from the Jehovah’s Witnesses. This event prompted him to finally come out to his parents, resulting in a painful disfellowshipping that placed a strain on their relationship, yet paradoxically brought them closer.
Despite the ordeal, Evans emphasizes his parents’ unwavering support. Their steadfast love became a reprieve from the rigid expectations imposed by their faith. He describes his parents as heroes who managed to navigate their religious beliefs alongside their relationship with him.
His experience with Jehovah’s Witnesses, he remarks, shaped his resilience and his approach to life’s challenges—particularly in an industry fraught with rejection. Reflecting on his journey, Evans believes that his ability to remain grounded stems from his experiences growing up, including the hardships of door-to-door preaching.
Today, as he embraces his identity, he finds solace in love, creativity, and a supportive circle of friends. He’s content both personally and professionally, having combined his artistic talents in acting and music. He has found a partner in Spanish architect Fran Tomas and is open to the possibility of a family.
Luke Evans advocates for the importance of being true to oneself and recognizes that his journey has been one of survival and transformation. He reflects thoughtfully on how different his life would have been had he chosen to stay within the confines of his childhood faith and what that would mean for his mental health and personal happiness. His memoir captures not just the struggle but the victory of living authentically in a world that still wrestles with acceptance.
