Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon, has openly discussed her sexuality in a heartfelt social media post, drawing widespread support and celebration from fans.
As the daughter of one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses, Ava has grown up in the spotlight but has consistently carved out her own path. While she is often mistaken for her famous mother due to their striking resemblance, Ava has always emphasized her individuality. Now, she has shared a deeply personal aspect of her identity with the world, and her followers couldn’t be more supportive.
A Look at Ava’s Family and Background
Reese Witherspoon, known for her roles in Legally Blonde, Big Little Lies, and Walk the Line, is the proud mother of three children. She shares Ava and her younger brother Deacon Phillippe with her ex-husband, actor Ryan Phillippe. Additionally, she has a younger son, Tennessee James Toth, from her previous marriage to talent agent Jim Toth.
Ava, the eldest, has grown up with a mix of privilege and public scrutiny, constantly navigating the unique experience of having a world-famous mother while trying to establish her own identity. Unlike Reese, who was not raised in the public eye, Ava has had to figure out her sense of self while being watched by millions.
Ava Speaks Out About Her Sexuality on Instagram
Recently, Ava took to Instagram to engage with her one million followers, using the platform’s Q&A feature to answer various personal questions. When one follower asked about her romantic preferences, Ava’s response was refreshingly direct and unfiltered.
“I’m attracted to… people!” she wrote, overlaying the text on a glamorous selfie featuring her wearing bold blue eyeshadow. She followed up with a parenthetical note: “Gender is whatever.”
Although Ava did not explicitly label her sexuality, her statement suggests that she does not base her romantic attraction on gender. Those who share this perspective often identify as pansexual, which, according to GLAAD, means being “attracted to all gender identities, or attracted to people regardless of gender.”
Support Pours in From Fans and Celebrities
Ava’s openness about her identity was met with overwhelming positivity. Social media users flooded the comments section with love and encouragement.
“Yaaaaaaas! Welcome to the club, lovely!” one enthusiastic fan wrote.
Another chimed in: “Good for you! Congratulations on living your truth—you’re just as beautiful inside as out, just like your mom.”
A third added: “Your happiness is all that matters. Live your life the way you choose, and know that we support you!”
Her post also caught the attention of some major celebrities. Alyssa Milano, known for her role in Charmed, left a heartfelt comment: “This picture made me smile so big. Happy Pride!”
Meanwhile, TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney added: “So much love for you!”
And, of course, Ava’s mother, Reese Witherspoon, made her silent but clear approval known—by liking the post.
Ava’s Journey to Self-Discovery
While Ava’s sexuality has never been a central focus of her public persona, she has always been candid about her personal growth. In a previous interview, Witherspoon acknowledged that her daughter was “trying to find herself”, noting that she is “so down-to-earth and wants to do great things in the world.”
The Cruel Intentions actress has spoken about the challenges of raising children in the spotlight, explaining that Ava and her brothers have had a very different upbringing from her own.
“It’s an odd situation because I didn’t grow up famous,” Witherspoon told InStyle. “So [Ava is] living an experience that I did not have, and so are my sons. We are lucky enough to have friends who grew up in Hollywood and can help give them advice on how to navigate it.”
Despite these challenges, Ava has managed to establish her own career while maintaining a level of independence from her mother’s legacy. She has collaborated with major brands, including Beyoncé’s Ivy Park and Pat McGrath Labs, and has built an identity beyond just being Reese Witherspoon’s daughter.
A Relationship Kept Private
For years, Ava has been linked to Owen Mahoney, a fellow student she met while attending UC Berkeley. The couple reportedly began dating around 2019, though they have kept their relationship largely out of the public eye.
Recently, however, fans noticed that Owen has been absent from Ava’s social media, leading to speculation about whether they are still together. Since Ava has not addressed the status of their relationship, many are left wondering whether they quietly split or if they are simply keeping things more private.
Ava’s Continued Advocacy for the LGBTQ+ Community
Following her initial statement about her attraction to people rather than specific genders, Ava has continued to be vocal in her support for the LGBTQ+ community.
She has made it clear that she has no tolerance for hate speech or bigotry on her social media.
“I can and will block profiles commenting bigoted/hateful messages under my posts,” Ava warned in a statement. “My Instagram profile is not a place for cruelty or hate speech, and I intend to do what I can to keep it that way. Peace and love.”
In celebration of Pride Month 2024, Ava once again reaffirmed her identity with a powerful social media post.
She shared a stunning photo of herself with a caption that read:
“Once upon a time, some gal on the internet said ‘gender is whatever’ in reference to her own sexuality. Many took her words out of context, but she knew what she meant. Anyways, this is her posting for the first day of Pride Month 2024.”
She also followed up with an Instagram story, wishing a “Happy Pride Month” to “my LGBTQ+ community”—as well as a cheeky nod to any critics in her comment section.
A Powerful Message of Self-Acceptance
Ava’s journey of self-expression has resonated with many people, particularly younger followers who see her as a role model. While she has not placed an official label on her sexuality, her message is clear—everyone deserves the freedom to love who they love, without limitations or judgment.
Through her words, actions, and unwavering confidence, she has reinforced an important truth: sexuality is personal, fluid, and unique to each individual.
And with the continued support of her friends, fans, and family—especially her famous mother—Ava Phillippe is proving that she is embracing her identity on her own terms.