Espresso Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 (edited) Quote Gay actors in Hollywood hide their sexuality amid a climate of “fear” that they will not be cast in straight roles, according to the Oscar winner Kate Winslet. The Titanic star knows “at least four actors” who have not come out because they believe it would kill their career. She attacked the “judgment, discrimination and homophobia” in the film industry and said LGBT people in Hollywood needed a #MeToo-style movement. “I cannot tell you the number of young actors I know — some well known, some starting out — who are terrified their sexuality will be revealed and that it will stand in the way of their being cast in straight roles,” Winslet, 45, tells today’s Culture magazine. “A well-known actor has just got an American agent and the agent said, ‘I understand you are bisexual. I wouldn’t publicise that.’ I can think of at least four actors absolutely hiding their sexuality. It’s painful. Because they fear being found out.” [...] Winslet also noted that the stigma applies to "men more than anything." "It's bad news," she added, "Hollywood has to drop that dated crap of, 'Can he play straight because, apparently, he's gay?' " "That should be almost illegal," she said. "You would not believe how widespread it is. And it can't just be distilled to the question about gay actors playing gay parts. Because actors, in some cases, are choosing not to come out for personal reasons. And it's nobody's business. Perhaps privacy. Perhaps conditioning and shame." [...] X Despite a push for more diversity at awards ceremonies, after criticism that they were dominated by white actors and directors, there has been little discussion about gay and bisexual representation. There are no openly gay nominees in the main acting categories at the Baftas, which take place next weekend, or the Oscars in three weeks’ time. Being gay has long been taboo for Hollywood stars, as producers and financiers fear alienating audiences. “People aren’t in the closet because they want to be [but] because they’re safer there,” said Jose Arroyo, associate professor of film studies at Warwick University. “Hollywood is commercial, it is about selling ideas and desires ... If an audience sees you with disgust or disdain, it is obviously an inhibition to the money men.” [...] There are few openly gay actors or actresses at the top of Hollywood. Rock Hudson, best known for his roles in Magnificent Obsession and Giant in the 1950s, came out in 1985 when he revealed that he had Aids. Rupert Everett, whose breakout role was opposite Colin Firth in the 1984 gay period drama Another Country, came out in 1989. He has said being open about his sexuality limited his career. Everett revealed in his 2006 memoir, Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins, that he almost won a part opposite Sharon Stone in a sequel to Basic Instinct, but the fact that he was openly gay was a deal-breaker for the studio, MGM. Everett said his agent was told: “To all intents and purposes, a homosexual was a pervert in the eyes of America and the world would never accept me in the role.” [...] Jodie Foster, who shot to prominence in Taxi Driver in 1976 and won Oscars for 1988’s The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs in 1991, publicly addressed her sexuality only at the 2013 Golden Globes. [...] “We have yet to have a major [young film] star who is out as a major [young film] star, not 20 years or 40 years after their peak,” Arroyo said. “Past experience is not promising. Look at Rupert Everett.” Winslet said she hoped her performance would pave the way for gay actors to play gay stories in films. “Hollywood has to drop that dated crap of, ‘Can he play straight because, apparently, he’s gay?’” she said. “That should be almost illegal . . . And it can’t just be distilled to the question about gay actors playing gay parts. Because actors, in some cases, are choosing not to come out for personal reasons.” X Edited April 27 by Espresso Link to post Share on other sites
#FreeBritney Activist Breathe On Moi Posted April 4 #FreeBritney Activist Share Posted April 4 This won’t end well. I know she means well, but she’s alluding to pretty much outing these four actors if people decide to start digging. Link to post Share on other sites
Charif Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 You should never talk about someone's sexuality under any circumstances. Link to post Share on other sites
duybeeGAshantiGA Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Is it her biz tho? If they are not ready, this may lead people to 'investigate' and potentially out them. Link to post Share on other sites
JonginBey Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 It's messy to bring up something you know is confidential, because it makes you look thirsty to talk about it anyway Link to post Share on other sites
#FreeBritney Activist Trent W Posted April 4 #FreeBritney Activist Share Posted April 4 It’s a mess to still have this type of articles in 2021, I think in music you can be massively successful if you’re gay, but the film industry seems still archaic with gay people. She also needs to not give that much information, she’s basically inviting people to start digging. Link to post Share on other sites
champpp Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 It's truly sad how Hollywood appears so woke and accepting yet people still fear to live their truth because they know how that'd affect their careers. Spoiler I kind of hope she's talking about Henry Cavill, ugh please GOD Link to post Share on other sites
Blackthorn Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 She should have kept this information to herself. That comes across as intrusive. Link to post Share on other sites
Ryuuchan_X Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 People trying to drag her for speaking up about this. yes, let’s just stay silent so nothing will ever change. Link to post Share on other sites
JohnWayneHolland Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 One of those HAS to be Henry Cavill, please, I am BEGGING Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Booth Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 1 minute ago, Blackthorn said: She should have kept this information to herself. That comes across as intrusive. I agree, it's just encouraging the speculation Link to post Share on other sites
tell_me_a_lie Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Ridgerton main actor comes into mind,tbh. Link to post Share on other sites
Achilles. Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 I can also name several closeted young actors, Kate isn’t special. Link to post Share on other sites
Almost Home Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 9 minutes ago, champpp said: It's truly sad how Hollywood appears so woke and accepting yet people still fear to live their truth because they know how that'd affect their careers. Reveal hidden contents I kind of hope she's talking about Henry Cavill, ugh please GOD Henry Cavill is gay ma'am Link to post Share on other sites
Espresso Posted April 4 Author Share Posted April 4 This quote is getting MAJOR play in other publications very quickly, to the point where I'm wondering if/when there'll be a backlash. Link to post Share on other sites
aliwonderland Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 why would she say this to an interviewer, especially the confidence this actor told to her? very weird behaviour. I know she meant no harm but this ain't it. Link to post Share on other sites
DONTYELLATME Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 4 minutes ago, tell_me_a_lie said: Ridgerton main actor comes into mind,tbh. Why do you get that feeling tho Link to post Share on other sites
Dephira Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Not you guys acting like she outed anyone Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts