Kristen Stewart is pulling back the curtain on the career advice that made her 2017 SNL monologue—where she famously declared "I'm, like, super gay, dude"—a defiant act of rebellion against Hollywood's pressure to stay in the closet for success.
In an exclusive preview of her upcoming interview on ABC News Live Prime With Linsey Davis, the Chronology of Water director reveals that trusted industry insiders warned her: "Your career might improve if you avoided public displays of affection with your girlfriend."
"And I thought, 'So you're suggesting I live a half-life? And you want me to support a system that marginalizes others?'" Stewart recalls in the clip. "That's just not something I could ever do."
Kristen Stewart at The 2026 WWD Style Awards in Santa Monica, California. Amy Sussman/Getty
The moment came on February 4, 2017, when Stewart hosted SNL for the first time. In her opening monologue, she responded to old tweets from then-President Donald Trump about her past relationship with Robert Pattinson, declaring: "The president isn't exactly my biggest fan, but that's perfectly fine. And Donald, if you weren't fond of me back then, you probably won't be now, because I'm hosting SNL and I'm, like, super gay, dude."
Stewart explains that while her romantic life was already public knowledge, she chose SNL as her platform to reject the commodification of her identity. "It also felt like I didn't want to turn those personal details into a commodity," she says. "It seemed like everyone was eager to exploit them. Photos? Sold. Details? Sold. Headlines, quotes, all of it."
Kristen Stewart and wife Dylan Meyer at 'The Chronology of Water' Los Angeles Premiere in January 2026. JC Olivera/Getty
The actress, who began dating screenwriter Dylan Meyer in 2019 and married her in April 2025, emphasizes that her relationships were never secretive. "I didn't want to shy away from the reality of our world," she elaborates. "I want to shape it, to foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment. So, I felt it was essential for me to... I was already openly holding my girlfriend's hand in public."
Stewart's SNL moment wasn't just about personal revelation—it was a calculated stand against the industry's pressure to conform. "None of my relationships have ever felt secretive because I didn't want to be known. I want people to understand who I am," she says. "But at that moment, it felt like making a statement could potentially open doors for others."
