After working on several short films, including <em>Sojourn</em>, <em>Headspace</em> and <em>Aged Out</em>, <a href="https://www.queerty.com/23-young-black-queer-hollywood-stars-to-watch-20240919" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.queerty.com/23-young-black-queer-hollywood-stars-to-watch-20240919">actor Jermelle Simon scored his break booking on the Netflix series <em>The Upshaws</em></a>. Starring alongside TV titans Mike Epps, Kim Fields and Wanda Sykes, Simon brought to life <a href="https://www.queerty.com/the-absolute-hottest-black-queer-couples-in-film-tv-20240719" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.queerty.com/the-absolute-hottest-black-queer-couples-in-film-tv-20240719">Bennie Upshaw, the eldest son of the Upshaw clan who</a>, while raising his daughter, was navigating his sexuality. Interestingly, sometimes art really does imitate life. On National Coming Day, Simon released a video on social media sending love to LGBTQ+ folks while letting the world know that he’s a proud gay Black man. Coming out is never an easy feat, and when all eyes are on you in Hollywood, it can be even more daunting. Nevertheless, Simon was met with an outpouring of love and support from his followers. And he recently revealed that he an influencer Obio Jones are boyfriends. Now this what we call "coming out" and "showing out"—and we love to see it. — J.S.M.