AceShowbiz - Sasheer Zamata embraces her true self. The comedienne, known for her role in "Saturday Night Live", recently came out as gay. Reflecting on her journey of self-discovery, Zamata, 38, jokingly referred to herself as "one of those late-in-life lesbians."

"It felt like if I didn't say anything, I'd be ignoring a part of me," she said in an interview with Them. While writing material about dating women for her stand-up comedy, she realized that sharing her identity publicly was vital and censoring herself would be like "being silenced."

Interestingly, Zamata's on-screen roles have often mirrored her real-life sexuality. She noted how she kept getting cast as queer women in several past roles, including "Woke", "Home Economics", "Tuca & Bertie", and "The Last O.G." Yet, this casting trend occurred "before I, myself, was figuring out my identity," she explained. "I was like, 'Whoa, what are these casting directors seeing that I'm not seeing?' "

Zamata believed that going off birth control for the first time since age 16 changed everything for her. "I was always attracted to women, but I think [that] really boosted it," she shared.

Zamata emphasized that while she is happy to no longer keep her sexuality secret, it doesn't mean she'll forgo her penchant for privacy. "As far as what people deserve to know? Nothing. They don't deserve anything," she asserted.

She feels fortunate to have fans who respect her privacy and hopes that artists like queer pop star Chappell Roan, who are vocal about boundaries, continue to set an example.

Looking ahead, Zamata is enthusiastic about her role in "Agatha All Along", where she plays Jennifer Kale, a sorceress within a coven led by Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn). Despite not being explicitly written as queer, the role resonates deeply with Zamata due to its themes of outcast experiences and female empowerment.

"It's nice to be able to portray a character who has been an outcast for a lot of her life, and to be in a show that's exploring so many cool female themes and queer themes," she said. "I think what this show is going to do is also open up the door to a whole new fan base of people who maybe didn't see themselves before in the Marvel Universe."

"Agatha All Along" premieres on Disney+ on September 18, promising to be not only a magical adventure but also a beacon of representation for marginalized communities. As Zamata continues to make waves both on and off-screen, her story exemplifies the powerful journey of embracing one's true self.