Emmy-winning actor Darren Criss is no longer comfortable playing gay characters. He expressed his concern for the need of LGBTQ representation in Hollywood and how he no longer wants to take away acting parts from queer men.
“There are certain [queer] roles that I’ll see that are just wonderful,” Criss told Bustle. “But I want to make sure I won’t be another straight boy taking a gay man’s role.”
This decision by Criss is considerably monumental due to his history of taking on roles of queer characters—most famously Blaine, Kurt’s partner from Glee, and the murderous Andrew Cunahan in The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story‘s.
“The commitment to that drama is told in such a way that it can really effectively reach people’s lives,” Criss says. “I think that really is important.”
The conversation on proper representation and issues of identity first presented itself earlier this year when Criss took on the role of the serial killer Andrew Cunanan, who shares his half-Filipino heritage.
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“There’s something very twisted about the fact that somebody that I share ethnicity with, a Caucasian-Filipino-American who is famous for doing something absolutely deplorable, is now the reason that I get to sit here and talk to you,” he said to Bustle. “That is sort of a bizarre twist of fate.”
Criss’ comments in March about his own racial identity in an interview with Vulture sparked controversy. While he expressed his love for his half-Filipino background, fans and members of the Filipino community felt that Criss had denounced his Pinoy roots when he said he doesn’t identify as Asian American and has the “luxury of being half-white and looking more Caucasian.”
Criss, however, acknowledged his heritage in April when he became the first Filipino American to win an Emmy in the best acting category.
“I’m very pleased and proud that I can represent people that may see my presence in the media as a beacon for themselves.,” he says now. “It’s a real privilege.”
While Criss only recently announced his decision to rescind from queer acting roles, he has credited his success to the ongoing acceptance and mentorship from the gay community.
Criss, who is engaged to longtime girlfriend Mia Swier, said in that same Vulture interview that he felt “very blessed in [his] career [to be] allowed in the gay community.”
(Editor Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Criss was already married and that Swier is an actress. She is a producer/director. We regret the error)
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