Thora Birch is opening up about her identity in a deeply personal way. The “Hocus Pocus” actress revealed she is bisexual while attending the 35th anniversary celebration of The Abbey, the iconic LGBTQ+ bar in West Hollywood, on Wednesday. Birch, now 44, used the event to share a heartfelt message of support for the LGBTQ+ community while reflecting on how much it shaped her own life.
While speaking at the anniversary celebration, Birch shared that supporting the LGBTQ+ community has always been personal for her. “As a hometown girl, I’m always here to show my support for the community, which shaped so much of who I am and my identity as well, being a bi person,” she told Us Weekly. The actress, who has been married to producer Michael Benton Adler since 2018, attended the event alongside her husband.
Birch also spoke about the importance of finding supportive spaces and leaning on community. “I don’t want to get too political, but find your community where you can, and stand with them and stick with them and share that love that you share together, and reach it toward others,” she said. “That’s the only way we’re going to get through all this madness is just embracing one another. We have to stop fighting.”
According to a representative for the actress, Birch grew up in West Hollywood and lived within walking distance of The Abbey, which reportedly felt like “home” to her after opening in 1991.
Birch Weighs In On Spencer Pratt’s Mayoral Run
While at the event, Birch also shared her thoughts on Spencer Pratt’s unexpected campaign to become the next mayor of Los Angeles.
Calling it a “very passionate mayoral race,” Birch acknowledged growing public frustrations surrounding local leadership, particularly after last year’s devastating Pacific Palisades fire, which destroyed Pratt’s home. “I think there’s an incredible amount of focus because of the divided way that people feel regarding how the fires were handled,” Birch said.
When asked whether she believes Pratt is the right person for the role, the actress remained diplomatic. “I think strong leadership is always advisable. I have no reason to think one way or the other about [Pratt’s capability],” she explained.
Thora Birch Is Open To A ‘Now And Then’ Sequel
Birch also addressed growing fan interest in a sequel to the beloved 1995 coming-of-age film “Now and Then.” The actress, who starred alongside Christina Ricci, Demi Moore, Rosie O’Donnell, Melanie Griffith, Gaby Hoffmann, and Rita Wilson, said she would absolutely be interested in revisiting the story.
“You know, I love Rita, and bless her heart, and I feel like all of us would love that,” Birch said. “I have no idea what that would look like, but it’s a shared dream for sure,” she added, while noting she’s unaware of any official talks currently happening.
Birch Reflects On Her Most Iconic Roles
Of course, Birch also reflected on the roles fans still ask her about decades later, including Dani Dennison from “Hocus Pocus.” “I feel like so many of my fans kind of wonder about, obviously, Dani [from] ‘Hocus Pocus’,” she shared.
The actress also mentioned characters from films like “Ghost World,” while admitting there is something special about leaving certain stories untouched. “But it would be intriguing to see some of the other old standbys, like Enid from ‘Ghost World.’ Who knows what she’s up to? She’s alive, probably,” Birch joked.
Still, she admitted, “I think there’s also something nice about having them encapsulated.”
‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Is Still In The Works, But Details Remain A Mystery
For fans hoping to see the Sanderson sisters return one more time, there’s still reason to stay hopeful. Disney first confirmed that “Hocus Pocus 3” was officially in development back in 2023, with former Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey announcing plans for a third installment of the beloved Halloween franchise.
Stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are all expected to return, continuing the witchy chaos that first captivated audiences in the 1993 cult classic before the trio reunited for 2022’s “Hocus Pocus 2.”
For now, Disney is keeping fans guessing, as plot details for “Hocus Pocus 3” remain tightly under wraps.
