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For years, who grew up watching debated whether the of Ryan Evans, played by Lucas Grabeel, may actually be gay. Well, now we have some confirmation thanks to the director of the entire has now spoken out on , and why putting an in a was not a possibility in 2006.
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considered presenting a in the f
Speaking to Variety, , who is himself openly , had the following to say about Grabeel‘s Ryan.
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‘The of Ryan [played by Grabeel] in , Sharpay’s , we decided he’d probably going to come out in college. It was less about coming out and just more about letting his true colors come forward.
[Variety] Would it have been possible when you made to have had Ryan be openly ?
I have to be honest with you. I didn’t think at the time – and is the most progressive group of people I’ve ever worked with.
I was concerned because it was family and kids, that might not be ready to cross that line and move into that territory yet. So, I just took it upon myself to make choices that I felt that those who were watching would grab. They would see it, they would feel it, they would know it and they would identify with it. And that is what happened.’
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The stars Efron and
The beloved isn’t exactly “deep” and the focuses mostly on the blossoming romance between Troy (Zac Efron) and as well as a healthy amount of . Also featured are theatre fanatics and pseudo-villains Ryan ( Grabeel) and Sharpay (), though Ryan is usually presented as sympathetic and dominated by his spoiled sister.
In fact, the doesn’t really focus on , but he does later get more substantial development, particularly in the .
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It’s unfortunate that Grabeel‘s was never allowed to be what the wanted him to be. Ortega’s feelings that Disney ‘might not be ready’ held him back, however, the director left the interview on a positive note. He told Variety how refreshing it is to see Hollywood beginning to embrace everyone, regardless of their
‘It’s just so exciting to be able to see you guys walk in with this kind of comfort and confidence, that you’re not even having to think twice about who you are or that anybody would have a problem with it. And I said, “Just remember that it wasn’t always that way.”‘
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What do you think about Ryan being confirmed to be gay in ? Let us know in the comments below.