‘Mean Girls’ actor Daniel Franzese comes out as gay

Mean Girls

star Daniel Franzese has come out as gay.

The 35-year-old actor, who played Damian in the cult 2004 film, wrote an open letter to his character, thanking him for helping him with his decision. He also thanked the writer of Mean Girls, Tina Fey.

In the letter published on IndieWire, the actor recalls his struggles with playing a gay role in Hollywood at a time in his life when he had yet to get to grips with his sexuality.

Read an excerpt from the letter below:

“I was twenty-six; you were sixteen.  You were proud of who you were; I was an insecure actor.  You became an iconic character that people looked up to; I wished I’d had you as a role model when I was younger. I might’ve been easier to be gay growing up.

There were industry people who had seen me play you in Mean Girls but never seen me read in an audition but still denied me to be seen for ‘masculine’ roles. Damian, you had ruined my life and I was really pissed at you. I became celibate for a year and a half.  I didn’t go to any gay bars, have any flings and I lied to anyone who asked if I was gay.  I even brought a girl to the Mean Girls premiere and kissed her on the red carpet, making her my unwitting beard.

It wasn’t until years later that grown men started to coming up to me on the street – some of them in tears – and thanking me for being a role model to them. I had the perfect opportunity in 2004 to let people know the REAL Daniel Franzese.  Now in 2014 – ten years later – looking back, it took YOU to teach me how to be proud of myself again…People have always asked if I was really gay? While my reps usually lied to protect me. My friends and family all knew the truth but now it’s time everyone does. So, I’m not afraid anymore.  Of Hollywood, the closet or mean girls.  Thank you for that, Damian.  (And Tina.)”

Read the full letter here.

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