Lukas Gage has opened up about the “witch hunt” for straight actors playing gay roles.
The White Lotus star, 29, has spoken openly about being gay and married hairstylist Chris Appleton last year, only to divorce seven months later.
And now he has criticized a recent trend of actors being bombarded with questions from fans about their sexuality when playing gay characters.
talking to Attitude While appearing on the cover of its latest issue, Lukas said he felt like people were “coming for him” for his role in The White Lotus.
“I was dealing with people coming after me and saying, ‘Why is he stealing a gay role?’ He’s just a straight guy, how dare he, blah, blah, blah.”
Lukas also identified with the fact that Heartstopper star Kit Connor was ‘bullied’ into coming out at just 18 years old after playing Nick in the Netflix series.
Lukas Gage Opens Up About ‘Witch Hunt’ for Straight Actors Playing Gay Roles for Attitude’s January/February Issue
Lukas criticized a recent trend in which actors are bombarded with questions from fans about their sexuality when playing gay characters.
‘It’s double. “I’m in the field where, of course, there are certain scenarios,” Lukas said about who should play gay characters.
“It is an injustice not to have diversity and inclusion to tell the most authentic story.
‘In other less specific cases, it is important to remember that it is about acting and that we should be free to play as many different types of roles as possible.
He continued: ‘There has to be grace and generosity. I don’t like it when people go on a witch hunt to find people for doing it.
‘Trying to take them down. …There is a gray area with sexuality. Nuances. Demand receipts…’
Recalling Kit’s experience after the release of Heartstopper, Lukas said: “I remember it was the same time people were coming for me, they were coming for Kit (Connor).
‘Do you feel intimidated to come out at 18? That area where the public and the private intersect is very confusing to me.
‘I want to have visibility, to be a role model. I want little kids to look at me and think, “He’s doing it; I could do it, too.” But it’s also what Tina Fey said: “Authenticity is expensive.”
Speaking to Attitude while appearing on the cover of its latest issue, Lukas said he felt like people were “coming for him” for his role in The White Lotus.
Lukas also identified with the fact that Heartstopper star Kit Connor (pictured) was ‘bullied’ into coming out at just 18 years old after playing Nick in the Netflix series.
It comes days after Lukas kissed Pitch Perfect star Anna Camp, 42, at a SAG-AFTRA party held at the Chateau Marmont on Friday.
They only seemed to have eyes for each other as they seemed oblivious to another blonde who jumped up to pose next to them with her thumbs up.
For the night out, Lukas sported a pale green multi-print jacket and black pants, and looked in high spirits as he partied with the ladies.
Anna took to Instagram after the party and called it a “lovely” night as she shared snaps of her red carpet look.
“Thank you @entertainmentweekly for the beautiful evening celebrating @sagaftra,” she wrote, adding, “and thank you to @makeupelabela and @dereksyuen and Thanku for my favorite pink heels.”
The White Lotus star, 29, has spoken openly about her homosexuality and married hairstylist Chris Appleton last year, only to divorce seven months later.
It comes days after Lukas kissed Pitch Perfect star Anna Camp, 42, at a SAG-AFTRA party held at the Chateau Marmont on Friday.
The kiss comes six months after Gage finalized her divorce from Chris Appleton, 41.
The You alum was briefly married to Kim Kardashian’s hairstylist Chris in 2023, but the couple split that same year.
Lukas and Chris reached a divorce settlement in June, seven months after the divorce was filed.
They had married in Las Vegas in April 2023, in a ceremony officiated by Kim Kardashian and attended by Shania Twain, who performed You’re Still The One.
The January/February issue of Attitude is now available.