All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Legendary actor Stephen Fry has come out as not a fan of James Corden's recent performance as a stereotypically gay man in Ryan Murphy's hit Netflix musical The Prom.
"I don't want to add to the hate James Corden is receiving," he told Travel Gay. "I have to say in his defense that whatever performance ends up on film is the responsibility of the director. So Ryan Murphy is at fault there, not James. He should have said to dial it down and not to go for a camp, podgy 1970s figure."
Despite being lambasted and panned nearly unanimously by LGBTQ+ critics and viewers as offensive and filled with stereotypes, Corden was nominated for a Golden Globe for the performance.
Murphy is known for the large number of LGBTQ+ characters in his projects, and often casts gay actors in those roles. His recent film version of The Boys in The Band featured a cast of all out actors. A recent GLAAD report found that nearly one in five LGBTQ+ characters on TV appears in a series from Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, Greg Berlanti, or Lena Waithe.
Still, the performance Corden gave reminded many of a time we thought was over when only straight actors could play gay roles, often ending up creating more stereotypes of how gay people act than authentic performances.
Fry is currently starring in It's a Sin, a drama about the early days of the AIDS crisis, created by Russell T Davies. Davies last year said that authenticity in casting is "the taste of 2020." He thinks the time for straight actors to play gay is over ""You wouldn't cast someone able-bodied and put them in a wheelchair," he said. "You wouldn't Black someone up. Authenticity is leading us to joyous places."
Still, some other gay actors disagree. Neil Patrick Harris, who also appears in It's a Sin said he thinks there's something "sexy" about a straight actor doing a good job playing a gay character, "if they're willing to invest in it."
While some gay actors say that they're fine with straight actors playing gay characters, they all emphasize that it's ok as long as the actor does a good job. That's where Corden missed the mark. If he had brought a sense of realness to the character instead of broad strokes and broader stereotypes, this conversation might be going a different way.
RELATED: Stephen Fry and Russell Tovey Star in New 'Dorian Gray' Adaptation
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
41 male celebs who did full frontal scenes
39 LGBTQ+ celebs you can follow on OnlyFans
33 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
26 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
21 times male celebrities had to come out as straight
17 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
Love is in the air! Unforgettable gay kissing scenes from TV & movies
52 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
15 things only bottoms understand
A gay adult film star's complete guide to bottoming
Latest Stories
Queer actors & characters on 'Variety's best TV performances of the century
The best (& worst) LGBTQ+ sketches in 'Saturday Night Live' history
Turn to 'Conclave' for a timely Oscar film on trans acceptance
See the Stonewall protests against trans erasure
Sam Smith and Raveena bless us with new love songs for Valentine's Day
Ariana Grande shares prophetic 'confession' about 'holding space' meme
Rosalía, Dominic Fike, and more to star in 'Euphoria' season 3
This Valentine's Day wedding inspiration is giving us heart eyes
'Euphoria' to end with season 3 — HBO promises 'satisfying' ending
Netflix speaks out on Karla Sofía Gascón's 'Emilia Pérez' controversy
Holy He-Man! Nicholas Galitzine is blond and bulked in leaked 'Masters of the Universe' pics
Attn himbos! Here's what daddy wants on Valentine's Day
Eat your heart out! 'Drag Race' S17 queens recreate 'Yellowjackets'
Trending stories
Recommended Stories for You
Mey Rude
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Spilling some tea on 'White Lotus' season 3 bros Saxon and Lochlan