Glee star Chris Colfer revealed that he was warned not to come out because it would hurt him professionally – even though he was playing a gay teen on the show.
Chris, 34, shot to fame during his run on Glee as the flamboyant Kurt Hummel, a role that creator Ryan Murphy tailored specifically to him.
‘And then when I started filming the show, I had a lot of people tell me: “Do not come out, whatever you do, ’cause it will ruin your career,”‘ Chris confessed.
He tried to keep his sexuality secret for ‘a little bit,’ but reminded naysayers that his ‘voice’ and ‘effeminate’ nature would blow his cover anyway, he said on The View
Ultimately, he announced he was gay on late-night television in December 2009, just seven months after the pilot episode of Glee was broadcast.
Glee star Chris Colfer revealed that he was warned not to come out because it would hurt him professionally – even though he was playing a gay teen on the show; pictured last month
Chris, 34, shot to fame during his run on Glee as the flamboyant Kurt Hummel; he is pictured in a publicity still for the first season in 2009
Chris shared that when he was urged to keep his sexual orientation under wraps, he ‘hid for a little bit, but I also told them: “I can’t hide it, with my voice, and I’m more effeminate than most people. I can’t hide it.”‘
In response to his misgivings the budding actor, then 19, was told: ‘Don’t worry. As long as you never address it, you’ll be rewarded for it in the end.’
Chris decided to ignore that advice after a publicity event for Glee during which a young boy, unbeknownst to his parents, slipped him a note in an envelope.
The letter contained merely the words: ‘Thank you,’ but was packed in with a small chain of paper clips that together formed the rainbow colors of the Pride flag.
‘And in that moment I knew I have to, I have to come out,’ Chris reflected, noting that living openly was ‘more important’ than his professional concerns.
He admitted that he did think at the time: ‘Yeah, if I’m an openly gay actor, I may never win a major award. I may never get to play a superhero.’
However he came to the conclusion that ‘being a beacon of positivity and being, you know, providing that comfort for people is way more important than attention.’
Chris officially came out of the closet in December 2009 during an appearance on Chelsea Handler’s late-night talk show Chelsea Lately.
Chris is pictured on an early 2009 episode of Glee with his co-stars Dianna Agron (left) and the late Naya Rivera (right)
Chris officially came out of the closet in December 2009 during an appearance on Chelsea Handler’s late-night talk show Chelsea Lately
In January 2013, while he was still in the show, he became romantically involved with his fellow actor Will Sherrod, whom he is still with to this day
‘Your character’s gay, and we know you’re gay,’ said Chelsea, addressing a flurry of rumors that had already been swirling around Chris.
‘Yes,’ he replied, adding mischievously: ‘My answer to that question was – prior to coming out – that I was as straight as every other actor in Hollywood.’
He was showered with acclaim for his role as Kurt Hummel, winning a Golden Globe Award and earning two Emmy nominations.
In January 2013, while he was still in the show, he became romantically involved with his fellow actor Will Sherrod, whom he is still with to this day.
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