Could an Advocate Interview Hurt Rising Action Film Star Luke Evans?

[WillParkinson]

A 2002 interview actor Luke Evans gave to The Advocate, in which he spoke about being gay and his decision to live openly, has sparked debate about the Hollywood closet after details of his personal life were revised on the rising star's Wikipedia page.

The Welsh-born Evans, who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, is on the verge of becoming a major Hollywood celebrity. In 2010 he had significant roles in the remakes of Clash of the Titans and Robin Hood. Later this year he will be seen in The Immortals, The Three Musketeers, and an adaptation of The Raven opposite Jeremy Renner. He is now in New Zealand filming Peter Jackson's two-part adaptation of The Hobbit. At the time of the interview, Evans was a novice, appearing on the London stage in Taboo, a gay-themed musical about Boy George and his relationship with outre performance artist Leigh Bowery. Evans spoke to The Advocate about his decision to be openly gay at the outset of his career.
"Well, it was something I'd spoken to a lot of people about, including my boyfriend at the time — we've broken up now — but at the time when I just got Taboo, I knew that even though my part was a straight character everybody knew me as a gay man, and in my life in London I never tried to hide…. I knew I was going to have to do interviews with gay magazines; I knew this was going to happen. So I thought, Well, I'm going to have to be open. It's who I am."

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/08/10/Can_an_Advocate_Interview_Hurt_Rising_Action_Film_Star_Luke_Evans_/

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[Angry Dragon]

2. If he can act then he should get parts

if he is denied parts because he is gay then I would think bigots are at work

[Ozymanithrax]

3. If the guy does a convincing job on the screen, what difference does it make...

That is why they call them actors.

Rock Hudson was a leading man through most of his career. Back then, gay was only in the closet. Most of the people in the theaters never knew. I wonder how many of the stars of the golden age and since were gay, and we never knew. Considering that many of these people were incredible artists, I think it is sad that we don't know these people for themselves, only for the parts they played.

I suppose with the religious right, it might make a difference.

For me, willing suspension of disbelief is all that matters. If an actor can not convince me by the work on the screen, then I won't go see him or her.

[William769]

4. Gay role model, if only more would come out & play.

Rec.