Celebs Including Kris Humphries, Bruce Jenner's Ex-Wives React to 20/20 Interview
About 17 million people tuned in to hear Bruce Jenner publicly come out as transgender on 20/20 Friday, and dozens of celebrities have offered words of support for the former Olympic champ - including Jenner's ex-wife, Linda Thompson.
Thompson, who is the mother of Brandon and Brody Jenner, penned a lengthy essay for The Huffington Posttitled "How Living With and Loving Bruce Jenner Changed My Life Forever," which was posted immediately after Jenner's 20/20 interview aired on Friday night.
"I am a woman" and more revealing quotes from Bruce Jenner's 20/20 interview
Thompson chronicles her relationship with Jenner, whom she describes as "too good to be true," but also "the most athletic, high-spirited, energetic, easy-going, manly man imaginable." In the mid-1980s, she says, Jenner approached her one day and told her he identified as a woman.
She writes: "'What do you mean you identify as a woman?' I asked. 'What does that mean?' He replied that it meant that for as long as he could remember, he had looked in the mirror and seen a masculine image staring back at him where there should have been a feminine reflection. Bruce lamented, 'I have lived in the wrong skin, the wrong body, my whole life. It is a living hell for me, and I really feel that I would like to move forward with the process of becoming a woman, the woman I have always been inside.'"
Jenner wanted to travel abroad to transition and re-enter his children's lives as "Aunt Heather," Thompson writes.
Thompson says she would have "taken his confidences to [her] grave" if Jenner had not come out publicly, but now that he has, she fully supports her ex-husband.
"He can finally realize his need to be who he authentically is, who he was born to be," Thompson writes. "That takes tremendous courage. For that I commend him."
Other celebrities have also shown their support for Jenner publicly, including his children. But not all were on board. Kim Kardashian's ex-husband, Kris Humphries, had this to say (but later apologized):
Man, I'm glad I got out when I did. #Gottadoyou
— Kris Humphries (@KrisHumphries) April 25, 2015
Check out some of the more positive reactions below, and read Thompson's full essay here.
Love is the courage to live the truest, best version of yourself. Bruce is love. I love you Bruce. #ProudDaughter pic.twitter.com/7ZJ6FuMHfU
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) April 25, 2015
Just finished watching the #BruceJennerInterview with the family. Bruzer, I'm soooo proud of you! Dads really are heros ❤️
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) April 25, 2015
Couldn't be a more proud daughter. With courage and bravery, let's change the world. I am honored to stand by Bruce's side and support him.
— Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) April 25, 2015
so very proud of you, my hero.
— Kendall Jenner (@KendallJenner) April 25, 2015
Not only was I able to call him my husband for 25 years and father of my children, I am now able to call him my hero.
— Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) April 25, 2015
Proud son. https://t.co/n4BGMx5ubq
— Brandon Jenner (@sprandoni) April 24, 2015
"All of us deserve the right to be loved for who we are ". Bravo #BruceJenner
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 25, 2015
One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. #BruceJenner #Brave
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) April 25, 2015
We have the chance to write this moment in history together. Let's empower people like Bruce all over the world by being loving & not mean.💗
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) April 24, 2015
Anyone who's trans-gender & is brave & strong enough to live openly & honestly deserves better than what Bruce Jenner is getting.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) April 24, 2015
Bruce Jenner is a beautiful, brave human being. Sending him lots of love. He's saving lives and opening minds tonight.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 25, 2015
I was proud of Bruce Jenner in Montreal and I'm proud of him tonight. Some have to fight more than the rest of us for their happiness.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) April 25, 2015
bruce jenner is beautiful💕 we all need to commit to making this world a more loving, supportive, SAFE /non judgemental place to be ourselves
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) April 25, 2015
Sending lots of love and support to #BruceJenner and their family tonight. It is always brave to stand in one's truth. Congrats darling.
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) April 25, 2015
I support you #BruceJenner. Courageous and true to yourself. I hope the world gives you the love and respect you deserve.
— Matt Bomer (@MattBomer) April 25, 2015