Brianna Hildebrand, best known for her explosive portrayal of Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the Deadpool franchise, has captured audiences not only with her superhero abilities but also with her authentic approach to love and relationships. The 28-year-old actress, born on August 14, 1996, in College Station, Texas, has been refreshingly open about her sexuality and romantic life, making her a prominent voice in the LGBTQ+ community within Hollywood.
Unlike many celebrities who keep their personal lives under wraps, Hildebrand has chosen transparency when it comes to discussing her journey of self-discovery and her current relationship status. Her openness has resonated with fans worldwide, particularly those who see themselves represented in her story. From her early realization about her sexuality to her current relationship with girlfriend Jonneke Grisham, Hildebrand’s love life reflects her commitment to authenticity both on and off screen.
The actress’s romantic journey intertwines beautifully with her professional career, as she met her current partner while working on a film project. This serendipitous meeting has blossomed into a relationship that, while kept relatively private, represents an important chapter in Hildebrand’s life. As she continues to break barriers in Hollywood as an openly queer actress, her relationship serves as an inspiration to many young people their own paths to self-acceptance and love.
Brianna Hildebrand’s Current Relationship Status
Brianna Hildebrand is currently in a relationship with Jonneke Grisham, a talented set dresser and producer who works behind the scenes in the film industry. The couple first met in 2016 during the production of “First Girl I Loved,” an LGBTQ-themed film where Hildebrand played the lead role while Grisham worked as a set dresser in the art department.
Their relationship began as a workplace connection that gradually developed into something deeper. Grisham, who hails from Oakland, California, studied at Truckee High School and later graduated from Santa Barbara City College in 2012 with a degree in film and production. Her professional credits include work on various projects such as “The Row,” “Greatland,” “Lowlife,” and “Manifest Destiny Down: Spacetime.”
Keeping Their Love Private
The couple maintains a notably low-key relationship, rarely sharing photos together on social media platforms. This discretion appears to be a conscious choice, as both women seem to prefer focusing public attention on their respective careers rather than their personal relationship. The privacy they maintain around their romance suggests a mature approach to balancing public life with personal happiness.
Brianna Hildebrand’s Journey of Sexual Self-Discovery
Hildebrand’s path to understanding her sexuality began early in life, though it took time for her to fully embrace her identity. In a candid YouTube interview for the “It Gets Better” campaign in 2016, she revealed her childhood crushes on both Jesse McCartney and actress Hilary Duff, which helped her realize she was attracted to both boys and girls.
From Bisexual to Gay Identity
Initially, Hildebrand identified as bisexual, acknowledging her attraction to people of different genders. However, by 2017, she had come to identify as gay, representing a natural evolution in her understanding of herself. More recently, the actress has expressed that she prefers not to label herself in any specific way, choosing instead to embrace a more fluid approach to her identity.
Growing up in a religious household presented its challenges, as Hildebrand was aware that not everyone would be accepting of her sexuality. Despite these early concerns, she has emerged as a confident advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Hollywood.
Professional Impact and LGBTQ+ Representation
Hildebrand’s openness about her sexuality has significantly influenced her career, particularly in her role as Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the Deadpool franchise. In “Deadpool 2,” her character’s relationship with Yukio, played by Shioli Kutsuna, marked a historic moment as the first LGBTQ+ couple in a mainstream superhero film.
Hollywood’s Response to Her Openness
When Hildebrand first entered Hollywood, she encountered publicists who suggested keeping her sexuality private for career protection. However, she firmly rejected this approach, stating, “I’m totally fine with who I am. I’d rather just be like, ‘This is what it is.'” This decision to remain authentic has positioned her as an important voice for LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.
Ryan Reynolds, her Deadpool co-star, personally reached out to her via email to discuss the LGBTQ+ storyline for her character, asking how she felt about the representation. Hildebrand’s enthusiastic response helped shape what would become a groundbreaking moment in superhero cinema.
Dating History and Past Relationships
According to available records, Hildebrand’s relationship with Jonneke Grisham appears to be her first publicly acknowledged romantic partnership. Prior to meeting Grisham, there are no documented relationships in her dating history, though this could be attributed to her preference for privacy or the fact that she was still discovering her identity during her earlier years.
Celebrity Crushes and Early Attractions
Beyond her real-life relationships, Hildebrand has been open about her celebrity crushes, which provide insight into her journey of self-discovery. She has admitted to having teenage crushes on various celebrities, including her Deadpool co-star Ryan Reynolds, even going so far as to Photoshop herself into his pictures during her younger years.
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of 2025, Brianna Hildebrand continues to maintain her relationship with Jonneke Grisham, though the couple keeps details of their partnership largely private. Their relationship appears stable and supportive, with both women focusing on their respective careers while building their life together.
Career Continues to Flourish
Hildebrand’s personal happiness seems to complement her professional success. She reprised her role as Negasonic Teenage Warhead in “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024) and has several upcoming projects, including “Fog of War” (2025) and “Osiris” (2025). Her continued success in Hollywood while maintaining her authentic self serves as an inspiration to other LGBTQ+ actors and fans.
The actress remains a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and continues to use her platform to promote acceptance and representation in the entertainment industry. Her relationship with Grisham, while private, represents the kind of authentic love and partnership that she has always advocated for in her public statements about sexuality and relationships.
