Posted in: Movies, Warner Bros | Tagged: film, justice league, Warner Bros

Ezra Miller Was Told Coming Out Would Hurt His Career

Published Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:50:40 -0600

Ezra Miller is one of Hollywood's more open queer actors and, like most queer people, he was told that he made a mistake when he chose to come out in 2012. In an interview with Shortlist Miller talks about the pressure of being a queer person playing a superhero (NOTE: he is not the first. That honor goes to the fantastic Anna Paquin).

"I don't feel pressure. Pressure would only come from a dam, or a block. And when I came out I took the block away, removed the dam. I've undammed my identity in the world. I was told, when I gave that interview…" he tails off. "This is an interesting thing to talk about. I was told by a lot of people I'd made a mistake."

When asked if he would specify the people that told him he made a mistake Miller took the high road and didn't name names.

"I won't specify. Folks in the industry, folks outside the industry. People I've never spoken to. They said there's a reason so many gay, queer, gender-fluid people in Hollywood conceal their sexual identity, or their gender identity in their public image. I was told I had done a 'silly' thing in… thwarting my own potential to be a leading man. … I was given a lot of stern talking-tos."

Miller went on to talk about how hard it was hear people say that he made a mistake by being honest about who he is.

"'You've made a mistake' is such a hard thing to hear. Maybe if I'd actually made a serious mistake? But not for this. I didn't think I'd done anything wrong, though there have been moments of doubt as a result of those conversations. But… what they said was, in fact, 'rubbish', as you might say. We are the ones. It's up to us," he's flicking his finger between him and I, "us to manifest the world we want to exist in. But we're ready. Humans are ready."

Being out is something Miller is comfortable with but he also knows a lot of people that are still in the closet and feel like they have to be there for their own good.

"I know a lot of people who are in the closet," he says, quickly. "It's all good. It's OK. This is what I want to say… it would be a good idea to re-examine how this is working for us. These ideas. These values. Is it really working for us? Honestly?"

Being out is a personal choice and no one has to be out. However, feeling like you have to be closeted for the sake of your career is not right. Hopefully, that is something we can move past in years to come.

Summary: Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.

Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder, stars Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, and Henry Cavill. It will be released on November 17th.

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