Charlie Sheen Opens Up About Past Same-Sex Encounters, Extortion, and Liberation in New Memoir

Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen has spoken candidly for the first time about his past sexual experiences with men, describing the revelation as “liberating” after years of secrecy, shame, and extortion threats.

In his upcoming memoir The Book of Sheen and Netflix documentary aka Charlie Sheen, the 60-year-old star of Two and a Half Men reflects on a turbulent chapter of his life.

“Liberating. It’s f---ing liberating … just to talk about stuff,” Sheen said in the film, according to People. “It’s like a train didn’t come through the side of the restaurant. A f---ing piano didn’t fall out of the sky. No one ran into the room and shot me.”

Sheen admitted that his experiences with men began during his years of crack cocaine addiction. While some of it felt “weird,” he also recalled moments that were “fun,” adding that life has since moved forward.

However, secrecy surrounded his private life for years due to extortion. Sheen revealed on Good Morning America that people would photograph his HIV medication and demand money in exchange for silence.

“There was a tremendous amount of extortion,” he said. “At the time, I was like, ‘All right, let’s just pay to keep it quiet and hope it goes away.’ I felt held hostage. It’s a bad feeling.”

Sheen, who disclosed in 2015 that he is HIV positive, insists he never transmitted the virus to any partner. Now sober since 2017, he said he is focused on amends and embracing transparency.

“I’m not going to run from my past or let it own me,” he stressed. “It takes two to tango.”

His memoir will be released on September 9, with the Netflix documentary following a day later.

Opinion

Charlie Sheen’s story is not just about scandal—it’s about survival, shame, and the power of owning one’s truth. For years, his silence was not a choice but the product of stigma, addiction, and manipulation. Now, his decision to speak openly feels less like a confession and more like a reclamation of freedom.

In a society that often punishes vulnerability, Sheen’s candor is both raw and necessary. He reminds us that mistakes don’t erase humanity, and scars don’t define the future. His journey—from addiction and extortion to sobriety and self-acceptance—is a reminder that liberation often begins when we stop hiding.

Whatever people may think of Charlie Sheen, one thing is clear: this chapter of his life is not about controversy but about courage.