Hollywood heartthrob Luke Evans might be known for his roles in The Hobbit and Beauty and the Beast, but he’s recently dished on something far more personal—his first-ever same-sex crush.
Buckle up, babes, because the story involves a hunky rugby teacher, a nine-year-old Luke going “Holy—what is this?” and some tough years overcoming bullies who just didn’t get it.
A Rugby Revelation
In a frank conversation on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast, the 45-year-old star recalled how his first gay awakening happened around age nine or ten, courtesy of his rugby coach.
“He was good-looking, he had big muscles, and he drove a sports car with my name, Luke, on the seatbelts,” Evans shared, half-laughing, half-swooning.
It was a feeling he’d never experienced before—like a sudden tidal wave of “Is it hot in here, or is that just me?”
Living “Dirty” and “Like I Had a Disease”
Unfortunately, those early sparks came alongside some seriously rough treatment from classmates.
Evans has spoken candidly about the homophobic slurs he endured: bullies calling him a “shirt lifter” and spewing all sorts of vile remarks.
Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness in Wales, he felt like “somehow wrong,” but with no clue why or how to “fix” it.
“It’s a terribly dark place to be as a child,” he lamented, describing how kids can be “horribly intolerant” to anything even slightly different.
“I Hated School”
Evans doesn’t sugarcoat his childhood experience—he loathed school.
The constant feeling of being targeted for simply existing as his true self weighed heavily on him.
+Related: Luke Evans on Bullies, Coming Out & His Amazing Boyfriend
Yet, he says, some tiny spark told him there was more to life beyond the school gates—and that glimmer of hope helped keep him going.
Bullies, Begone!
Asked whether he’d forgive his tormentors, Evans took a nuanced stance:
“Yes, I guess I forgive them,” he said, before cheekily adding, “But I’d love for them to ask for it, though—on their knees, ‘Please, please forgive me.’”
Cue reality star host Jamie Laing chiming in: “The ultimate revenge: success.” And we couldn’t agree more—Luke’s now a global star, scoring roles in blockbuster franchises and revered musicals, living his best life.
A Boy from the Valleys, A Man on a Mission
Evans details much of this in his memoir, Boy from the Valleys: An Unexpected Journey, where he unpacks how it felt to grow up gay and devoutly religious—and how he made peace with that dichotomy.
He’s the first to admit the road was bumpy, but he’s emerged stronger, shining brighter than ever.
Lessons Learned & Pride Proclaimed
Today, Luke Evans stands tall as a proudly out actor in Hollywood, smashing stereotypes with each swashbuckling role.
From capturing hearts as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast to thrilling audiences in Dracula Untold, he’s proof that your past doesn’t define you—it can, in fact, fuel your future success.
“The best revenge,” he nods, “is to live as your authentic self and do it fabulously.”
So, whether you’re wrestling with an early crush, battling bullies, or just want to hear about a Disney prince who once fell for his muscle-bound rugby coach, let Luke Evans remind you: even from the darkest corners of the locker room, you can rise, roar, and make the big leagues—sports car seatbelts optional.