Suicide Squad actor Jared Leto has said that he is isn’t sure if Hollywood is still open to accepting a gay leading man. The actor expressed his thoughts in an interview with GQ Style, saying that he hoped America would accept a gay playing a leading role in a movie.
“I definitely don’t think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight leading man. I don’t think that. Not for a single second.”
“I don’t know if that’s offensive or not, but that’s my thought right now. It shouldn’t be that way. I don’t think you’ll have as many opportunities.”
“And I think you could say the same for minorities. What a word, minority. Have we taken that word off the list yet? ‘Cause it should be. Anyway, no, I think that this is still a very conservative business.”
It is not unexpected for someone such Jared Leto to speak on the topic considering he has won an Oscar for his role of a transgender woman in Dallas Buyers Club. He knows the industry inside out and understands the conservative nature of the movie industry, which so pompously claims to be open to everybody, yet so discriminating. And, the rampant whitewashing in the American movie industry is not new. Whitewashing is a controversial casting practice prevalent in Hollywood where white actors are cast for roles of non-white characters.
Jared clarified that he wasn’t talking about the masculinity, but just the sexuality. He also shared views on his own masculinity.
“We’re in an interesting time right now where people are exploring all kinds of different ideas of identity, not just masculinity or femininity.”
“For myself, I have never had a specific idea of masculinity. I think it’s OK just to be yourself and whatever that entails. You know, I’ve certainly never felt required to present myself in a certain way.”
