Glee star Chris Colfer reveals he was warned NOT to come out

By SAMEER SURI - US SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER 06:58 05 Jun 2024, updated 07:06 05 Jun 2024

Glee star Chris Colfer revealed that he was warned not to come out because it would hurt him professionally - even though he was playing a gay teen on the show.

Chris, 34, shot to fame during his run on Glee as the flamboyant Kurt Hummel, a role that creator Ryan Murphy tailored specifically to him.

'And then when I started filming the show, I had a lot of people tell me: "Do not come out, whatever you do, 'cause it will ruin your career,"' Chris confessed.

He tried to keep his sexuality secret for 'a little bit,' but reminded naysayers that his 'voice' and 'effeminate' nature would blow his cover anyway, he said on The View

Ultimately, he announced he was gay on late-night television in December 2009, just seven months after the pilot episode of Glee was broadcast.

Chris shared that when he was urged to keep his sexual orientation under wraps, he 'hid for a little bit, but I also told them: "I can't hide it, with my voice, and I'm more effeminate than most people. I can't hide it."' 

In response to his misgivings the budding actor, then 19, was told: 'Don't worry. As long as you never address it, you'll be rewarded for it in the end.'

Chris decided to ignore that advice after a publicity event for Glee during which a young boy, unbeknownst to his parents, slipped him a note in an envelope.

The letter contained merely the words: 'Thank you,' but was packed in with a small chain of paper clips that together formed the rainbow colors of the Pride flag.

'And in that moment I knew I have to, I have to come out,' Chris reflected, noting that living openly was 'more important' than his professional concerns.

He admitted that he did think at the time: 'Yeah, if I'm an openly gay actor, I may never win a major award. I may never get to play a superhero.'

However he came to the conclusion that 'being a beacon of positivity and being, you know, providing that comfort for people is way more important than attention.' 

Chris officially came out of the closet in December 2009 during an appearance on Chelsea Handler's late-night talk show Chelsea Lately.

'Your character's gay, and we know you're gay,' said Chelsea, addressing a flurry of rumors that had already been swirling around Chris.

'Yes,' he replied, adding mischievously: 'My answer to that question was - prior to coming out - that I was as straight as every other actor in Hollywood.' 

He was showered with acclaim for his role as Kurt Hummel, winning a Golden Globe Award and earning two Emmy nominations.

In January 2013, while he was still in the show, he became romantically involved with his fellow actor Will Sherrod, whom he is still with to this day.