There’s nothing Luke Evans can’t do. While the handsome actor is primarily known for playing hypermasculine Hollywood action heroes and villains, the Welsh star received critical acclaim for his Broadway debut earlier this year. He stepped into seven-inch platform stiletto boots, a corset, fishnets, and a jockstrap as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a highly celebrated revival of The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54.
His boundary-pushing performance even culminated in a viral, high-energy rendition of “Sweet Transvestite” at the 2026 Tony Awards, where he garnered his first nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. He also channeled the Rocky Horror spirit when he arrived at the Met Gala in a custom Palomo Spain look that paid homage to queer icon Tom of Finland.
The year’s highlights have reminded Evans of the importance of visibility. “I grew up in a small Welsh town. I couldn’t have imagined much of the life I have now, and I certainly couldn’t have imagined playing Frank-N-Furter on Broadway,” he shares. “So if somebody sees me doing that — openly gay, completely myself, still ambitious, still taking risks and still being given extraordinary opportunities — and it makes their own future feel even slightly bigger, then that means a great deal to me.” @thereallukeevans
