Closet door bustdown

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actor comes out at the exact same time as his character

Jake Borelli, Levi Schmidtt, Nico Kim, Alex Landi, Grey's Anatomy, gay kiss, coming out

Jake Borelli, the 27-year-old actor who plays Levi Schmitt on the ABC TV medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, came out as gay Thursday night on Instagram. His coming out post followed an episode of the show in which Schmitt also came out as gay, entering the show’s first-ever male same-sex romance with Dr. Nico Kim (played by Alex Landi).

In his coming-out Instagram post, Borelli wears a rainbow bandana and writes, “As a gay guy myself, tonight’s episode was so special to me. This is exactly the kind of story I craved as a young gay kid growing up in Ohio, and it blows my mind that I’m able to bring life to Dr. Levi Schmitt as he begins to grapple with his own sexuality this season on Grey’s Anatomy. His vulnerability and courage inspire me every day, and I hope he can do the same for you.”

Related: This hunky “gay surgeon” with a booming voice is giving us serious heart palpitations

Borelli continues, “To all of you who feel like little Levis out there, know that I do too, that you are seen, and that we’re all in this together. And to everyone who has supported me over the years, I can’t thank you enough, and I love you more than all the stars…”

In the episode, Schmitt shared a kiss with Dr. Kim after some flirtation and near-missed moments of intimacy. Landi is slotted to appear in at least four episodes, leaving us to wonder how long the on-screen romance will last. (It is a drama, after all.)

Borelli told Entertainment Weekly that he has been out to his close circle of family and friends for a decade. He reportedly worked with the show’s writers to ensure that his character’s coming out would be handed well.

To celebrate, here’s some pics of Borelli from his Instagram:

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Are you a Levi or a Nico?? ?

A post shared by Jake Borelli (@jake.borelli) on

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It's a million degrees in this Mini Cooper.

A post shared by Jake Borelli (@jake.borelli) on

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A post shared by Jake Borelli (@jake.borelli) on

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Bye Hawaii ?? I'm not sweaty…YOURE sweaty!

A post shared by Jake Borelli (@jake.borelli) on

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A post shared by Jake Borelli (@jake.borelli) on

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A post shared by Jake Borelli (@jake.borelli) on

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