Out on Daytime

Talk about being thrust into the gay media spotlight. Jake Silberman was invited to the GLAAD Media Awards this spring even though at the time he had yet to make his debut as gay teenage TV station intern Noah Mayer on As the World Turns. Silberman was thrilled to attend, although it was a little awkward. I got there really early, and some representatives from GLAAD said, Oh, since youre here early, you can walk down the red carpet yourself. I said, Uh, I think Ill wait until the other actors from As the World Turns arrive. It was my first red carpet, and it wasnt like anyone was going to know who I was, Silberman says laughing. This tall, dark, and handsome 24-year-old, who would likely have turned heads on his own, ultimately strode down the red carpet with his co-stars from the soap, including Van Hansis, the Emmy-nominated actor who plays Luke Snyder. Noah and Luke, who has been unlucky in love thus far, will embark on a romance this summer. The two certainly make a handsome couple. Silberman, a native New Yorker who graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in theater, says that he and Hansis had chemistry from the moment they met at Silbermans audition for the show. I just shook his hand, and we did the scene, and it felt really natural, Silberman says. This, despite the fact that both Hansis and Silberman identify as straight. I didnt hesitate for a second, Silberman responds when asked if he worried about playing gay in his first high-profile gig. In fact, his excitement about playing Noah was only heightened after his experience at the aforementioned GLAAD gala. It was emotional. People are very excited about this, Silberman says, and it was great being at the awards and feeling that and realizing that this is more than a role.