The ever-alluring Cheyenne Jackson gets all sorts of gay in The Advocate‘s latest edition. Rather than taking his publicists’ white-washing advice to eschew his sexuality, the Xanadu actor lets it all hang out. And we mean really out.
The first time that I knew I was gay — I think I was, like, 7 — I was watching this Valentine’s Day Popeye cartoon episode that would play every year. There was this scene where Popeye was captured by Brutus, tied up with no shoes or socks on, and Brutus starts tickling his feet. I remember getting a little boner.
That’s – um, good to know.
While a bit queer, Jackson’s frankness indicates a shift in Hollywood’s pink perspective. Yeah, Xanadu‘s the gayest show on Broadway and Jackson’s straight roles aren’t huge – an aborted television show and an upcoming horror movie, Hysteria – but it’s all about the context.
The series, Lifetime’s Family Practice, had Jackson playing a womanizer, while the movie project couples him with lad rag model Emmanuelle Vaugier. Jackson chalks at least some this success up to his looks, but take a look at the equally handsome Neil Patrick Harris. His How I Met Your Mother character seduces scads of ladies. The cute, but not hunky TR Knight plays straight on Grey’s Anatomy. Both of those out actors, it’s worth mentioning, work for network television.
Could it be that studio executives – and the public – are broadening their sexual imaginations? Possibly. Although, on the other hand, we still have many more straight actors playing gay, like Jake Gyllenhaal, Sean Penn, James Franco and the late Heath Ledger. More importantly than the larger implications, what does this mean for Jackson’s ultimate cinematic fantasy: playing the long closeted actor, Rock Hudson?
How about we take this to the next level?
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They’ll probably give the part to a woman. Is Brooke Shields available?
Snoodle
Well..I coulda done without the popeye comment…X_X
Anarchos
I always find it somewhat interesting to hear about the first time a person becomes aware of their sexuality..
DavidDust
I bet that boner ain’t so little anymore!
Dave
Neil Patrick Harris ain’t as good looking as Cheyenne, not even half as hot!
Maverick69
I think this calls for role play,
I play Brutus and he can play Popeye and tickle his feet until that boner pops up.
GAWD I love men and a great fantasy.
John
Dave:
I know???!!
icbalaam
I’m glad to see he’s talking about his sexuality. My sister works with his mom in a small town in northern Idaho. The people there aren’t too nice when it comes to us gays. No doubt the people at his mom’s church will be praying for her and him come Sunday.
Karen
Cheyenne is amazing! It takes alot of guts to be that honest.
HellsKitchenGuy
I spent a summer with Cheyenne and his BF Monte – they are terrific guys. Very sweet and hardly mess around. Way cool.
UES
I worked with Cheyenne on a Broadway show a few years ago (I was the gal getting the coffee for the Producers). I saw him under all kinds of stressful conditions, and he was always a gentleman and kind and friendly to everyone.
He has a beautiful singing voice, plus, tres cute in real life!
TBSJR
Neil Patrick Harris is Hot
Jennifer
I sat in the front row at a recent showing of Xanadu, and I have to say, I was distracted as all get out by Cheyenne’s legs in those little shorts. At times, I felt he was looking at me, knowing my thoughts and thinking, listen, you 30-something chick, you have no chance. But hey, when I looked to my left, the gay dude next to me had his eyes focused on the same thing, but Cheyenne is so hot, I don’t think he had a shot either. THAT MAN IS GORGEOUS!
Holly
He’s cute…and he developed early!