Katy O'Brian | Kylie Chi and Katy O'Brian | Source: Getty Images | Instagram/thekatyo
Katy O'Brian has always been upfront about her sexuality. The "Z Nation" star's spouse is actress and assistant director Kylie Chi. Although the lovebirds have been married for nearly two years, they've been a couple for much longer.
Katy O'Brian tried following a few paths before sitting down and deciding on a career that would bring her happiness. Deep down, she knew she wanted to act and eventually found a way to fuse that passion with her love for martial arts.
She committed herself to the film and T.V. industry from 2015 onwards. Her first few onscreen credits were in the movie shorts "Submerge: Ni're Reborn," "Remedy of a Killer," "Finders Keepers," and "Rain."
In 2018, she became a series regular, portraying George in the action comedy "Z Nation." The following year, she played Major Sarah Grey in "Black Lightning," opposite Cress Williams and Kimball in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." in 2020.
Fans may also recognize O'Brian from her best-known roles as Elia Kane in "The Mandalorian," with Pedro Pascal and Katee Sackhoff, and as Jentorra in 2023's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."
As she gained worldwide recognition, O'Brian's sexuality and love life became a subject of interest. Contrary to many celebrities who keep a lid over their personal lives, the biracial star has been relatively open about her orientation and spouse.
Katy O'Brian's Sexuality: The Actress Identifies as Lesbian
The speculation over O'Brian's sexuality began when she played George, an androgynous lesbian, on "Z Nation." She reflected on playing this character, noting that George wasn't the stereotypical representation of lesbians often portrayed in films and T.V. shows.
"George was a gem of a character because she was able to be — *gasp* — a human being without a bunch of labels and with a very strong goal: saving the world," she said.
O'Brian added that she didn't think much of George's impact until a crew member during the wrap party thanked her for portraying a "soft butch" in "such a humanizing way."
Similar messages poured in from fans who found the courage to come out to their families through George. "It was truly humbling," O'Brian further reflected. Like George, she, too, openly identifies as a lesbian woman.
Katy O'Brian Is Married to Kylie Chi, Who Also Works in Showbusiness
O'Brian married her longtime partner, screenwriter Kylie Chi, in July 2020. The couple, who reside in Los Angeles, had hoped for a large celebration, but covid restrictions forced them to postpone their wedding festivities to the following year.
They had a small ceremony at a ticket booth at the Honda Center and enjoyed a picnic afterward. It's unknown when their relationship began, but O'Brian noted they had been together for several years when they wed. And the lovebirds have frequently showered each other with affection online.
Chi is in the entertainment industry like her wife but has mainly worked behind the scenes. In addition to screenwriting, she has been an assistant director on the short films "Aswang Next Door" and "Piece of Cake."
Katy O'Brian Was a Bodybuilder and a Police Officer before Becoming Famous
O'Brian started doing martial arts at five years old after her dad signed her up for classes in a local dojo. While the skills she acquired helped boost her chances in auditions, they also came in handy with childhood bullies.
When she enrolled at Indiana University, she joined the campus police force, a paid position she held throughout her tuition. She later joined the police force in a small town in Indiana after graduating but did not feel fulfilled.
She took up bodybuilding as it was one of the things she believed would make her happy. And it did. "I was very confident with how I looked. It felt great," she said. O'Brian also found an acting class, and her teacher helped her find an agent.
Soon after, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time. When asked about being a stuntwoman, given her athletic experience, O'Brian stated that it wasn't what she wanted.
She chose not to pursue a career as a stunt actor because she wanted to focus on being an actor and performing martial arts scenes in films while avoiding the risks and limitations associated with being a dedicated stunt performer. Still, she might have considered it when she was younger.
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