Daniel Franzese Came Out

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Actor Daniel Franzese has now opened up about his sexuality in an open letter to the character he portrayed in Mean Girls.

In 2004, the actor played a homosexual teenager. Ten years later, he came out as gay.

In his letter to Damian, he writes, “It’s been a long time since our last encounter. Ten years to be exact. I was twenty-six; you were sixteen. You were proud of who you were; I was an insecure actor. You became an iconic character that people looked up to; I wished I’d had you as a role model when I was younger. (It) might’ve been easier to be gay growing up…”

He admits he kept his sexuality a secret out of fear for his career. He said, “When I first became an actor, I wanted to play lots of roles… So, would I be able to play different parts after portraying a sensitive, moisturizing, Ashton Kutcher-loving, pink-shirt-wearing kid? I was optimistic. Hollywood? Not so much. I was meeting a ‘gay glass ceiling’ in casting.”

It wasn’t until years later that grown men started coming up to me on the street – some of them in tears – and thanking me for being a role model to them. Telling me I gave them comfort, not only being young and gay, but also being a big (heavy) dude. It was then that I realized how much of an impact you (Damian) had made on them…”

Perhaps this will help someone else. I had to remind myself that my parents named me Daniel because it means God is my judge. So, I’m not afraid anymore.”

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