Representation Matters! As the LGBTQ+ community has made many strides in recent decades, not every person can be publicly out in their professional career. Surprisingly that extends to Hollywood. Wait, isn’t Hollywood run by the gays? You would think, right? But there are still queer actors working today fearful to publicly come out afraid of being typecast or losing roles. Enter Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey.
The IT star of the moment, [season 2 of the Shondra Rimes drama has smashed Netflix viewership records], the Crashing actor is inspiring other young actors in more ways than one. In an interview with The New York Times many of the Olivier award-winner actor’s inner circle were interviewed, including his assistant Nicki van Gelder.
“Nicki van Gelder, who has been [Jonathan] Bailey’s agent since he was 15, laughed when told about this reticence. Bailey, she said, has a “generosity toward other actors.”” pic.twitter.com/gR12twPX3j
— is that a promise (@kathanisharma) April 14, 2022
Glazer, who has represented the Broadchurch actor for over 15 years, recalled conversations with younger actors still in the closet elaboarting, “I have a couple of younger actors that I’ve discussed it with.” Some of these hopeful, aspiring thespians asked Glazer,
“Jonny [Bailey] is out. Is It Ok?”
Glazers answers, “Absolutely.” In the past Bailey was advised to stay in the closet. Speaking to Attitude magazine,
“The most conservative conversations I’ve had about me being honest about my sexuality in this day and age have come from gay men in the industry, ‘oh no, you can’t come out, you shouldn’t really do that,’” Bailey shared. “They’re either people who work in publicity, or there’s also been casting directors who have put the call into my agent to say, ‘just so that you know, the way that this is going to be sold is that it’s a gay story written by gay writers for gay actors, so by just taking the role…’ This was at a stage where perhaps I was coming to terms with my own sexuality, I hadn’t necessarily hidden it…but I’ve never not been honest about it.”
Jonathan Bailey on his decision to come out: “I thought, Fuck this, I’d much prefer to hold my boyfriend’s hand in public or be able to put my own face picture on Tinder and not be so concerned about that than getting a part.”
Read more: https://t.co/y4c6B2Siey pic.twitter.com/9nr0bvhc5I
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 9, 2022
Season 2 of Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix.
Sources: Attitude Magazine, Gayety
Thank you for giving younger gay guys hope to be out & sucessful.
Learn to spell.
Don’t be a little prick Anonymous!