Former Olympian Gus Kenworthy has made his acting debut in the first episode of FX series American Horror Story: 1984, setting pulses racing with his racy 80's outfits and more than one topless scene (thanks Ryan Murphy).
However, while viewers admired both his performance and physique on social media, the openly gay athlete-turned-actor says he has faced some criticism from members of the LGBTIQ+ community for playing a straight character.
In an op-ed for ESPN, the star opened up about his decision to play a non-queer character, saying that while “the gay community is the most supportive community in the world" it is also "the quickest to cut you down.”
He also addressed the critics who questioned his acting ability, admitting that he had been hurt by the early skepticism.
“There were a lot of people saying, ‘Gus has no credits, no experience. How did he get this role?’” Kenworthy wrote.
He continued: “Some people wanted to know how I was cast as a straight man or if I could play straight.”
Kenworthy pointed out that he “spent the first 23 years” of his life playing a straight man and most queer men have "the experience at some point in his life of pretending to be someone he’s not.”
Kenworthy also reflected on his life before coming out as gay in 2015.
“The stakes were so high,” he wrote. “I remember going to crazy lengths to make people believe I was someone I was not. That’s acting.”
“Allowing a gay person to play that character does a lot in terms of visibility and breaking down perceptions and stereotypes,” he explained. “A gay actor playing straight is a big deal. There aren’t many openly gay actors getting cast in straight parts.”
He concluded by saying he feels “lucky to have the opportunity to be part of that change.”
