Actor Nicholas Galitzine is one of Hollywood's newest sensations, even attending this year's Met Gala for the first time this week.
But it has come with a certain amount of guilt over how he's gotten there: by playing LGBTQ+ characters.
Galitzine recently told British GQ that his roles in queer-themed projects like Prime's Red, White & Royal Blue and Mary & George have left him feeling he's "taking up someone's space" because he's straight.
During the interview, GQ asked Galitzine if he ever feels like people mix him up with his characters.
He replied:
“I think I have. I identify as a straight man, but I have been a part of some incredible queer stories."
"I felt a sense of uncertainty sometimes about whether I’m taking up someone’s space, and perhaps guilt."
"At the same time, I see those characters as not solely their sexuality.”
Straight actors playing queer roles has often been controversial, with many feeling they are indeed "taking up someone's space."
Gay actors like Rupert Everett have spoken openly about losing roles once they came out and watching as straight actors like Tom Hanks, Hilary Swank and Jared Leto sail to Oscar glory for playing queer roles.
Rupert once told BBC's Radio 4:
“A lot of straight actors are actively searching for gay roles because it is something different to do. I think that’s fine, but that does mean the gay actor who used to just get to play the gay part — like me — has been reduced to drag, really.”
On the other hand, others like director Jamie Babbit feel that making rules about who can and cannot play queer roles doesn't accomplish anything.
As Babbit put it to NBC:
“To have quote-unquote ‘straight’ actors saying now, ‘Hey, I won't take that part because it's gay, and you should give it to a gay person,’ it feels like another way to stigmatize our stories.”
On social media, many agreed that Galitzine playing mainly queer roles in recent years is inappropriate.
But others felt the discourse was kind of tired and silly.
Galitzine also said that his attraction to queer roles is basically to elevate queer stories.
"I have so many friends within the community, and I know so many of them didn’t feel like they had these stories growing up.”
At least his heart is in the right place.
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