Glee star Chris Colfer was told his career would be “ruined” if he came out
Chris Colfer was warned not to come out as gay when he filmed the first season of Glee. The actor played Kurt Hummel on the musical comedy series between 2009 and 2015, for which he earned a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for two Primetime Emmys and a Grammy.
During a recent appearance on The View, Colfer reflected on his Glee experience and his hesitation over playing an openly gay and effeminate character. “I grew up in a very conservative town where being openly gay was dangerous,” he said. “I remember when I got on [Glee] the role was written for me, and I did not know what the role was gonna be. “When I read the script for the first time was when I saw that it was an openly gay character and I was terrified.” Colfer shared that when he filmed the first season of the show, he had “a lot of people” tell him not to come out because “it will ruin” his career: “So I hid for a little bit.
But I also told them, ‘I can’t hide it with my voice. I’m more effeminate than most people. I can’t hide it.’ “And they said, ‘Don’t worry.
As long as you never address it, you’ll be rewarded for it in the end.’” Kurt played an instrumental role in all six seasons, with storylines including: coming out to his father and friends; being bullied; his romantic feelings for Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith); and relationship with Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss).
