Cassandra Peterson, who came out earlier this week, shared a photo of her longtime partner, Teresa "T" Wierson, for the first time Thursday.
The "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark" star made her first on-screen appearance on "The Tamron Hall Show" after opening up on her same-sex relationship in her new memoir "Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark."
The show's host asked the actress why her sexuality became trending news in 2021, and she replied, "I think it's because the character I play. Obviously, I appeal to men. It's a super sexy character — that's 'straight,' because she’s a bit of a horndog, she's always chasing guys."
Peterson shared a photo of her and Wierson together during the interview. In it, the couple could be seen posing for the camera while leaning on each other.
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"It's scary and exciting, but also I'm very relieved, and so is my partner," she told the host as their photo remained on the screen, "Holding in secrets all the time, you know, it gives you gas."
The actress then recalled a line from her friend, actor Danny Trejo, which said, "You're only as sick as your secrets."
Apparently, the actress revealed in her book that though she kept her relationship with Wierson a secret for 19 years, her close friends and family have always known her true identity.
In another interview published Thursday, the actress talked about her complex sexuality.
"It's funny. I mean, people call it 'coming out,' and I guess in a way it is. I haven't ever been gay and I don't feel like… I guess, you know, now there's nonbinary, gender-fluid, whatever," she told Yahoo Entertainment. "I fell in love with somebody who I met, who I really loved, and she was a woman."
The actress also shared that she is still attracted to men.
"Oh, [my partner] loves it when we're walking down the street and a hot guy goes by and I'm like [gawking]! It makes her crazy!" she noted. "But I am attracted to men."
"But still, I would be fine with saying I came out and I'm gay, but I don't think I'm gay. I don't know what the hell I am!" the actress said further. "And even people have said, 'Oh, you're bi.' And I said, 'Well, I guess I am now! It wasn't until I turned 50!' I don't know how to explain it, but it's been great."
On the work front, Peterson was featured in the comedy movie "Shoplifters of the World," which was released in March 2021.
Actress Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
