Darren Criss Says ‘I’ve Been So Culturally Queer My Whole Life’ and It Was a ‘F—ing Privilege’ to Play a Gay Character on ‘Glee’
Bienvenidos, familia! Let's dive into Chicago's Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), where the one and only Darren Criss turned heads with a very vibrante declaration. Our querido Darren, pegao like gold dust from his Glee days, brought into focus what it means to navigate cultural identity con mucho estilo.
So, a sus treinta y siete, Criss, who we all know and love as the fabulous Blaine Anderson from the hit series 'Glee,' caught up with Entertainment Weekly to share some heartfelt sentiments. What he said? “I have been so culturally queer my whole life,” – ¡y eso, amigos y amigas, is a colorful celebration of influence and inspiration!
Darren, who identifies as straight, never stepped back from embracing a role as an openly gay character. Why? Because to him, it was “fucking awesome.” But here’s where it juicy: “Not because I’m trying to be cool, but actually, ¡claro que sí!, I am trying to be cool,” he jokes. Darren goes on to say that his inspirations are 100% queer, demonstrating a vibrant dialogue with the culture that shaped him.
Growing up in San Francisco during the '90s exposed Darren to an eclectic and colorful community, where he learned from watching the experiences of others, especially watching the challenges faced in the queer community. “It was in queer communities that I’ve found people that I idolize, that I want to learn something from,” Darren explained passionately.
Darren's role as Blaine on 'Glee' was powerful — not just a character, but a symbol of romance and resilience, famously together with Chris Colfer’s character, Kurt. Although Darren doesn’t share the same sexual orientation as Blaine, he embraced his character fully, understanding the profound impact it had. “I’m glad it was me because it was a thing I really liked showing,” he commented, recognizing the cascade of influence his role and the show contributed to the understanding of different life narratives not often represented in media.
"It meant a great deal to me and it meant a great deal to other people," Darren said, reflecting on the viewer's feedback about how the relationship depicted in 'Glee' was groundbreaking. He emphasized how the series not only entertained but also educated and opened conversations in homes about diversity and acceptance. Viewers from various backgrounds have approached him over the years, expressing how the show enabled them to see life through a prism they hadn't understood before.
“This would’ve been a meaningful thing for me to see growing up,” Darren admits, highlighting how underrepresented stories on mainstream platforms can profoundly touch individuals and foster a society that celebrates rather than tolerates differences.
To close, nuestro talentoso amigo described playing Blaine as “a fucking privilege,” a role that he is not just proud to discuss but overwhelmingly grateful to have been a part of. He treasures the opportunity to portray such a dynamic character that resonated broadly and seeded important dialogues concerning queer visibility and acceptance.
For more on Darren’s reflections and revelations at C2E2, check out Entertainment Weekly! His insights are not just about reflecting on a role but celebrating the ripples it created across cultural understanding. ¡Chécalo, amigos!
