Carlo Arrechea, former Nickelodeon star and rising Cuban-American actor, has decided to live openly and authentically, coming out publicly as bisexual in a heartfelt letter published during National Coming Out Day.
For those who remember him from Grachi, the Every Witch Way days, or even his guest stint on S.W.A.T., this marks a new chapter for the actor, who’s now poised to take on not just the entertainment industry, but life, with all the self-assurance of a man who’s finally at peace with himself.
Carlo, who has been in the public eye for much of his life, reflected deeply on the personal and professional crossroads that led to this moment.
His career began early, starring in telenovelas and gaining recognition as the lovable comic relief in Grachi.
But even as his fame grew, so did the complexity of balancing his private life with the expectations of the industry.
It wasn’t just about being an actor of color in Hollywood—something that comes with its own set of challenges—but also about the quiet struggles of coming to terms with his bisexuality in an industry that often tells you to choose one identity over another.
In an exclusive interview with Out, Carlo got raw and real, opening up about the confusion he felt growing up in a traditional Cuban family, immigrating to Miami at 12, and dealing with the complexities of identity as a young Latino actor trying to find his place in Hollywood.
This journey toward self-acceptance wasn’t always linear. As he recalls, there were times he felt the weight of industry expectations, with former reps urging him to keep his bisexuality a secret to avoid jeopardizing his career.
But, as Carlo so poignantly put it, “F*ck that.”
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What makes this moment even more special is the timing.
Carlo’s public declaration comes during National Hispanic Heritage Month, giving extra weight to his words as he highlights the intersectionality of his experience as both a Latino and bisexual man.
In his letter, addressed to his younger self, “Carlito,” he describes the internal battle of wanting to embrace love in all its forms, while struggling against the confines of society’s labels.
“For so long, I denied parts of myself,” Carlo writes, “unsure how to embrace the complexity of my identity. But I’ve come to realize that while the world may not fully understand bisexuality, my journey is uniquely mine.”
And it’s this willingness to be vulnerable that shows just how powerful his story is.
It’s not only for him, but for all the young Latinx kids who may feel caught between two worlds, unsure of how to embrace both their heritage and their sexuality.
His reflections on growing up in Cuba before moving to Miami also give context to his journey.
From early telenovela roles to his breakout moment on Grachi, Carlo’s family has been with him every step of the way.
And even though the path hasn’t always been easy—facing the sometimes-harsh realities of being a young, bisexual Latino man in America—he’s chosen to lead with courage and authenticity.
Carlo’s coming out is a bold move in a world that still tries to pigeonhole people based on their ethnicity, gender, or sexuality.
He’s done it his way, in his own time, all while carving out a career that includes recent high-profile projects like S.W.A.T. and his upcoming role in a new project that he hinted could be “the biggest thing” yet.
Not to mention, he’s also a proud member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and attended his first Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024, further proving he’s on a trajectory that no one can stop.
With Carlo’s heart now fully open to love in all its forms, we can’t wait to see what comes next for this talented and trailblazing star. And something tells us, wherever he goes, we’ll all be watching—proud, inspired, and cheering him on.
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