Zac Efron: “I just can’t see what’s so wrong about being gay”

These are some photos of Zac Efron at the Toronto International Film Festival over the weekend. He was promoting a film called At Any Price – surprisingly NOT The Paperboy, which I still say looks like a sweaty, greasy, fake-Southern-fried hot mess. But The Paperboy will be coming out soon (limited release on October 5), so Zac’s promotional duties have begun. Thus, he gave his very first interview ever to a “gay media outlet”. That outlet? The Advocate. You can read the full piece here, and here are some highlights from the piece:

On the support of gay fans, his omnipresence on gay blogs, and speaking to The Advocate for his first gay-press interview: “It’s very flattering. After High School Musical and Hairspray, I’ve always felt embraced by the gay community, and I feel incredibly grateful and honored. This is actually a very special interview for me. I’m extremely aware of the support I’ve gotten from you guys over the years, and it’s amazing that it’s taken this long to sit down and actually discuss it, but please know that it hasn’t gone unappreciated. I’m so excited to be talking to you.”

On gay rumors: “I don’t like to live in fear about things like rumors and backlash to begin with — that’s the way I was raised — but I just can’t see what’s so wrong about being gay.”

On personally picking out his white briefs for The Paperboy: “I did, yeah. It’s a period movie, so there weren’t really a lot of choices. Initially, I wondered if my character would even wear underwear at all. But that would’ve been a very different movie.”

On working with The Paperboy director Lee Daniels (who is gay): “I’ve always just embraced Lee as a brilliant artist, so I followed him blindly, trustingly, and wholeheartedly. He’s searching for beauty and truth in every scene, so I believed in him and always felt safe. I was a fan of Lee’s work — I thought Precious was so marvelous and real — and I knew that he had a lot to teach me. All he required of me was that I be fearless, and that’s something I’m really working on right now in my career.”

On playing a gay role: “I’d never take a role just for the sake of playing gay, but I’m always looking for a role that’s challenging, different, and entails some risk, so there’s no doubt in my mind that one of those characters will be gay at some point in the future. It’s always interesting to delve into unexplored territory, and that would be a new avenue for me. I definitely wouldn’t be afraid.”

On marriage equality: “It’s an issue that affects so many people in my life — a lot of my close friends and some of the most influential people around me. I just want them all to be happy. It would make me so happy to see them able to live their lives and do what they want to do.”

On returning to musical theater roots: “Without a doubt, I’d love to do Broadway. I actually can’t wait to get back to musical theater. There’s a part of me that wishes I could go do it right now, but there’s also a part of me that knows I need to tackle other types of acting opportunities first. I want to be a well-rounded, versatile performer. Until I master other things, it would be hard for me to get back to musical theater. But that will always be my home base and where I feel the most free, and it’s something I will definitely do again, even it it’s just for pleasure and personal fulfillment.”

[From The Advocate]

I know a lot of people believe Zac Efron is gay, and I’ve thought that (or at least considered it a strong possibility) before. But Zac keeps insisting that he’s not, and he keeps insisting that there’s nothing wrong with being gay (truth) and it feels like if he was gay, he would just come out already? Or maybe it’s all just a massive conspiracy because he’s convinced that he couldn’t be the second coming of Leo/Gosling/Reynolds if he was anything but a massive hetero. F—k, I don’t even know at this point. He’s so confusing! As for his politics and the rest of the interview – he comes across very well. But I always enjoy his interviews – he seems like a sweet, smart kid.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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87 Responses to “Zac Efron: “I just can’t see what’s so wrong about being gay””

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  1. Isabella Notarfrancesco says:

    There’s nothing wrong with being gay. Most people opposed to it are either against it because of religious reasons or because they’re xenophobes.

    • Ashley says:

      Or they are just homophobes.

      • phlyfiremama says:

        As Morgan Freeman says, “homophobe” means your scared of homosexuals. Homophobia is not FEAR of gay people, its just someone being an as$hole. There is NOTHING wrong with any kind of love~it is precious and scarce, and should be welcomed equally from any source~not judged and condemned because it doesn’t fit someones own perception of what it is. Gay is perfectly OK.

    • BW says:

      A xenophobe hates foreigners. A homophobe hates homosexuals.

      • Isabella Notarfrancesco says:

        Xenophobe: the fear of people who are different from one’s self.

      • Marie Antoinette Jr. says:

        A xenophobe is someone who is afraid of people from other countries. It comes from the greek word *xeno* meaning stranger, or foreigner.

      • Xena says:

        The OPs usage of the word xenophobe was fine. As was her original point.

        As an aside, a Sennaphobe is someone who fears dying in a formula one car crash.

      • Marie Antoinette Jr. says:

        Of course it was fine. I just thought others might want to know the dictionary definition of the word.

    • RobN says:

      Classic.

  2. IzzyB says:

    I like all that he said in that interview, very respectful and accepting.

    As for the rumours about him, he looks very effeminate so I can see why people think it, but if he says he’s not I’ll take him at his word.

    • cmc says:

      It also probably has something to do with the fact that he got his start in a musical, too.

      FWIW, I don’t think he’s gay either.

    • Rice says:

      He sure does a lot of “embracing”. But I really don’t care if he is gay. What I don’t like are celebs pretending to be straight while auditioning women to be their significant others in public.

  3. Bluedog says:

    I think people just think he’s gay because he’s so pretty.

    • NerdMomma says:

      I know, right? I’m sure there’s many a guy who would like for him to be gay, and his boyfriend, as there are many girls who would like him to be straight, and her boyfriend 🙂 I am too old to have a crush on this kid but goodness he is nice to look at!

    • Brown says:

      He was PAINFULLY beautiful in Charlie St. Cloud. I mean honestly, the movie was hard for me to watch. He is gorgeous.

      • Belle says:

        Haha… totally agree. I actually read a review of that movie, which said something similar. The reviewer thought he did well with the acting… but was a bit critical, describing him as ‘distractingly attractive’.

        I actually think he looks even better in movies and/or interviews than some of the still shots I’ve seen. Though I’ve seen some pretty nice beach shots of him… so maybe it is just the ‘posed’ red carpet pics that sometimes look off to me!

    • Malorie says:

      My father used to say Pierce Brosnam was gay, because hPierce was pretty and because my father was jelaous (my mother had a big crush on him). So maybe for the same reasons many people say Zac is gay.

      • Micki says:

        LOL, my father used to say the same about R.Chamberlain because my mother had such a crush on him. The truth hit her like a hammer…

      • Aotearovian says:

        @Micki: Ha, my mother was a HUGE Cliff Richard fan. Makes you wonder about our mothers . . .

    • fabgrrl says:

      He has “gay face”. Something about the eyes and the way he holds his mouth. I know, a stupid stereotype, but it persists. Also, he seems like a nice, polite young fellow and doesn’t constantly talk about all the girls. So yeah, he will be labeled as gay.

      • Devyn says:

        Apparently “gay face” is… well… real: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=something-queer-about-that-face

        Not 100% accurate, but fascinating nonetheless.

      • Andy says:

        Gay face? Really?

        I hate the word gaydar, too. Gaydar is an ignorant assumption of someone’s sexuality based on that person’s idea of how gay men and women behave.

      • ZenB!tch says:

        “unlike straight men, gay men tend to have hair whorl patterns that run in a counterclockwise direction.”

        That’s interesting. Is it Matt Bomer’s hair whorl that I am reacting to? He is one of the few people who’s sexuality I can see in a still shot. I’ve never seen the man move or speak but he um “looks” gay to me.

      • RdyfrmycloseupmrDvlle says:

        To Andy,…No, actually Gaydar is not ignorant its basic logical deduction and its been scientifically proven most people can deduce within seconds if someone is gay or not based on the way they walk and move and their body language. Its science not “prejudice.”…if someone is “flamboyant” are you going to turn a blind eye and say “oh he’s a big he-man”?? Come on.
        If it walks like a duck, ya know?? Lets just call an end to the pretense ok? If your gay just be out and proud because a lot of the time everyone can tell anyhow so why bother.? Just own it.

    • Truetalk says:

      He is indeed easy on the eyes….

    • Shannon says:

      I agree a lot of “pretty boys” in Hollywood are called gay because they are boyish looking, pretty boys, who are often times very metro sexual. A number of these guys come to mind, like Ryan Seacrest, young Leo D., and of course…Tom Cruise.

      Some of these guys may be gay, but you never see actors like David Boreanz, Jonn Hamm or David Beckham called gay because they are more scruffy (manly) looking.

      lol…Maybe Zac should stop with the hair gel, get some tattoes and go commando…lol. Then people wouldn’t say he’s gay.

  4. Lolitalola says:

    Is it just me or do most interviews of American celebrities come across as contrived and polished ?
    It feels like reading or listening to robots who’ve learned so hard how to give the right answers at the right time for the right audience or something.
    No wonder why politics is such a powerful thing over there.

    • Isabella Notarfrancesco says:

      There’s not much difference between Hollywood and Washington. Politics is show biz for ugly people.

    • shitler says:

      @ lolitalola
      i know right? So boring. He must be a publicist’s dream. Always has the most pc answers to every question. For some reason it doesn’t seem genuine.:(

      • Lolitalola says:

        Yup and then pretending to be the real deal and so genuine and so honest and so over the top of the world #BeyonceNataliePortmanTheTrampirestyle and I surely forget to add so many others.

      • Belle says:

        Yes, it sounds boring when reading it. As with any interview, I think he is less boring, and doesn’t sound quite as scripted live. In the interviews I’ve seen of him, he is funny and charming… and seems pretty humble. Love it when he is on the Ellen show… she does her best to embarrass him, in her innocent ‘what did I say?’ way that is hilarious… and it usually seems to work(;

      • lilred says:

        Must be boring for him too,the same questions over and over in every interview. I can see how he would be cautious about what he says too. We see the way celebs get shredded for saying what others perceive to be the wrong thing.

    • Esmom says:

      At first I thought he was sounding remarkably articulate and mature, but a couple words he used made me feel like maybe the whole thing was scripted. I’m not sure what to think.

      But at least he’s not dropping F bombs left and right and acting all disaffected and cool. That’s something, right?

    • KellyinSeattle says:

      yes to the Hollywood / Washington connection. Sometimes pretty boys grow up quite handsome (not Leo D.) – he has beautiful eyes and I like his hair.

  5. Stef says:

    Someone took the words right out of my mouth – people think he’s gay because he’s so pretty ha.

    I actually really like him. I find him charming and respectful. I also will admit I saw the Lucky One, and while not the best movie in the world, I thought he did well in the part. His body was pretty solid. He’s kind of adorable. But I still think Chatwin is in line to b the next Gosling if he gets a solid part. lol

  6. Dorothy#1 says:

    I love him!!! I don’t think he is gay, but I wouldn’t care if he was. 🙂

  7. mln76 says:

    Totally agree with everyone else he’s pretty which makes people assume he’s gay. But I totally believe he is straight especially since he’s mostly low key about his relationships.

  8. Masque says:

    Oh Zac, no matter how old you get you’ll always be little Simon Tam to me. 🙂

  9. normades says:

    I don’t think he’s gay either. He seems like a nice kid that just wants to be taken seriously. I kinda loved him in 17 again

  10. pretty says:

    look at those eyelashes…jesus. lol
    he’s very pretty.
    you know what. he is 100000 times prettier than blake lively

  11. Mia 4S says:

    On the Internet everyone is gay, even people who probably aren’t, even people who say they aren’t. It’s gotten silly now and become a bit of a joke. I don’t think that helps anyone and it does nothing to further acceptance.

    • Andy says:

      Exactly. It’s nothing but passive-aggressive homophobia. Why people feel the need to label and define the sexuality of strangers beyond me.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        +1,000,0000

        It’s exhausting and really silly at this point.

      • Mimi says:

        ^^This to you both.

      • lafairy says:

        Totally agree with each of you!

      • slr says:

        @Andy

        I could not reply to your post about “gaydar,” and I get why some could find that offensive, however I do have a rebuttal…

        I had never heard the term until my openly lesbian boss at the time introduced me to it by telling me that, ‘Hey Slr, your gaydar is broken!” (Gawd, I miss her! She was by far one of the best bosses I have ever had.)

        First, I laughed my ass off.

        Second, I was kinda glad to hear that. Truly, there is so much more to people than what gets their rocks off and I was quite glad to get confirmation that I was so NOT concerned about it that it did not even cross my mind when I was dealing with the person that was being discussed.

        In the interest of full disclosure, I am a SWF 40+ who is hetero…

    • MaryJo says:

      That’s so true. The only “pretty” (or once “pretty”)big stars I’ver never heard being called gay are Depp and Pitt.

      • I Choose Me says:

        I agree with you all. I don’t know about Depp but there are people out there who believe that Brad Pitt is either gay or bi.

      • Marie Antoinette Jr. says:

        Back in the day, Rob Lowe was thought of as too pretty to be straight. Then he got caught having sex in a hot tub with some teenage girls and his career was shattered. But so were the gay rumors.

        Check out some old pics of Rob Lowe. Prettiest man EVER. Makes Zac look like a hag imo! 😉

    • Belle says:

      Agree… very well said.

      • Mia 4S says:

        Actually believe it or not there are stories about Pitt when he first came to Hollywood. Seriously. You have to dig but they are out there online. It’s just gotten silly. I’m all for personal fantasy but the gossip side of things is just bizarre. I wonder if it isn’t because actual coming outs (Quinto, , Cooper) are staring to begreeted with a shrug (as they should)? Sometimes people just want drama.

  12. daisydoodle says:

    hmmm, he likes to sing and dance…well, not that there’s anything wrong with it, but come on people, he’s probably gay, but really, it’s his business, if he wants to keep it private, so be it.

  13. juicyjackie says:

    Didnt really care for him before, have some respect for him now for not just being a fluffy teen-pleaser.

    Is he gay? maybe? So what, what a person does with their junk is no one elses business but their own, even if they are in the public eye.

    I socialise in circles where people are openly hetero, homo, bi, pansexual…. the only people that seem to care is the hetero ones who feel a need to rationalise someone else’s choices. Meh – party on.. rock out with ya cock out, jam out with ya clam out, as long as its safe, sane and consensual it aint none of ours.

  14. flan says:

    Guys who are comfortable with gay fans are waaaaay more attractive than the Tom Cruises of celeb-land.

  15. Smashley says:

    I don’t think Zac is gay. I think he’d come out if he were. This interview was honest.

  16. Mar says:

    I like him-he should just come out already

  17. julie says:

    If he believes there is nothing wrong with being gay then why hasn’t he come out?

    • Belle says:

      Well, perhaps because he ISN’T gay? You may find this difficult to believe, but just because someone THINKS a person is gay, does not actually make it so.

      Having said that, if someone is gay and has chosen not to advertise it, that is their business.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Stop making sense, Belle!

        As I have stated on a million posts that revolve around speculating about a celeb’s sexual preference: if you REALLY don’t care, if one’s sexuality REALLY isn’t a problem for you then WHY oh WHY do you insist on declaring a celeb’s sexuality for them? Why can’t you just take his/her word for it? As stated above, this is passive-agressive homophobia, period.

  18. Feebee says:

    He certainly translates well in interviews.

    I’m with those going with the gay because he’s pretty theory. Plus he can sing and dance. A woman who can do all that is a triple threat. A man who can do all that must be gay (see Hugh Jackman also), which apparently is a different kind of threat to some.

    He’ll also be married with kids and people will still be saying it regardless.

  19. barb says:

    Of COURSE he’s gay! And he’s hot no matter what. I’ve read that if an actor is in the ‘superstar’ status, then they keep their gayness under wraps and use beards and such because it would literally kill their world wide career. Think of all the countries who are extremely homopobic…the thinking is that people would not see them the same way in the kissing scenes. It’s true. I look at John Travolta completely differently now. So, if Efron wants to be in the superstar category, maybe he thinks he needs to keep hiding it. Sounds like he’s hedging his bets though….he’s this close to coming out. I’d like to see some of the superstars come out of the closet…it would change the world….for the better!~ Think of Rock Hudson.

  20. blondie10101 says:

    I’ve always thought he was gay, but after reading this, I think he’s maybe just slightly more feminine. There’s nothing wrong with that and I give him props because I was certain his career would fizzle after HSM. As for his politics, he got all of his own beliefs and opinions out respectfully, and I respect that.

  21. Sandra says:

    Funny how people say he might be gay because he’s so pretty, but it’s said in a respectful way, whereas with Justin Bieber it’s used as a way to demean him. What a despicable double standard.

  22. Hakura says:

    I agree that his appearance has a lot to do with people’s perceptions. The super-long dark eyelashes do look feminine, but I always associated them more with a ‘fae’-type (feminine boy) character, like Peter Pan (in my mind), as opposed to assuming he wa gay.

    I never read any of his interviews before, but I’ll admit to being impressed by this one. Very articulate & likable.

  23. mk yarwood says:

    Maybe he just doesn’t know, or maybe he’s bi. Bi boys are my favourite.

  24. Shannon says:

    He needs to come out the closet already. Plus, I do think he keeps insisting he isn’t gay because it would limit the leading roles he could possibly receive.

    I can only speak for myself, but I find it hard to watch gay men playing straight roles. I just keep thinking they’re gay… I know that’s not PC, but that’s the way it is.

    • lafairy says:

      “I can only speak for myself, but I find it hard to watch gay men playing straight roles. I just keep thinking they’re gay”

      Woaaaaw!you do know that movies are about “pretending” and not real life do you?

      Very shocking that there still exist people who think that way. No wonder the closet is the only option in Hollywood…

      • Shannon says:

        @”Woaaaaw!you do know that movies are about “pretending” and not real life do you?”

        I absolutely know that. However, my point is it is difficult for ME to watch an openly gay man (or woman I should add) pretending to be straight in a movie. I’m not saying they can’t give a good performace, but while I am watching the movie all I can think about is “this person is gay”. Again, that may not be PC, but that is the way it is.

      • Devyn says:

        @Shannon

        Movies are all about the suspension of disbelief, but some things can be harder to “forget” than others. You’re certainly not the only person who feels this way.

        Also, whether actors (and this includes HW actors) are openly gay/lesbian affects the bottom line much more overseas (i.e. the Asian and Indian markets, etc.) than it does in the West. Definitely not PC to point *that* out either, but there it is.

      • Shannon says:

        Thank you! You said that better than I did.

  25. Darth says:

    I don’t get a gay vibe from him, he can’t help being pretty.
    He seems like a cool guy, I just preferred him as the young twink with surfer hair lol. I understand why he bulked up and grew a goatee and tried to adopt a more masculine & mature appearance, but it just doesn’t blend well with his youthful, pretty boy looks. I think he should just embrace what he has and enjoy it while it lasts. There’s plenty of time later in life to put on weight and look “older”.

  26. NeNe says:

    Wow! Has he finally come out of the closet? I knew it! No matter how many girls he is with, he is totally gay. Not that there is anything wrong with that!!!

  27. Camille (TheOriginal) says:

    I have to admit that I would have the biggest smirk on my face if years from now he comes out ala Ricki Martin style (who people whispered ‘was he gay?’ for years, even though Ricki always denied it).

    I agree though that it is nobodies business whether someone is gay, straight or whatever, live and let live etc. But you can’t always believe everything that these celebs say. Just a thought.

  28. Dory says:

    Of course that there is nothing wrong with being gay. However, according to my religion, you better understand the meaing of HELL and FOREVER if you are going into that lifestyle. It does not sound very appealing for the poor sods. And I will not challenge God on that one, for sure He knows better.

    • Aotearovian says:

      I won’t speak for other CBers, but I for one am rocking my turban of IDGAF-but-let’s-wait-and-see on that particular piece of doctrine.

      In any case, it’s not for us to judge.

    • What? says:

      “going into that lifestyle?” Like it’s a choice?

      • Hakura says:

        I think the ‘choice’ aspect was the implication from Dory‘s statement. (Along with the whole ‘everyone who “chooses” to be gay is going to hell’ implication.)

        Sadly, my extended family is of the same opinion about homosexuality. My opinion? Live & let live, no matter how ridiculous I think their (‘they’ being my grandparents, aunts & uncles) opinions are on this particular subject.