Rememberg Nelsan Ellis as a champn of gay rights, on 'Te Blood' set and off - Queerty

Contents:

• 'TE BLOOD' ACTOR NELSAN ELLIS: FORMER STAR QU BEE HE DIDN'T 'WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART'
• REMEMBERG NELSAN ELLIS AS A CHAMPN OF GAY RIGHTS, ON ‘TE BLOOD’ SET AND OFF
• 'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'THE REAL REASON BEHD LE GRIM' EX A'T SO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014/12:27 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}HBOBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014 / 12:27 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"SHNNA MURPHY","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN "TE BLOOD" RETURNED FOR S SEVENTH AND FAL SEASON EARLIER THIS SUMMER, FANS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ONE CCIAL CHARACTER HAD A DIFFERENT FACE -- JAM, THE STUDLY VAMPIRE WHO ENTERED THE SHOW SEASON SIX TO ROMANCE DEBORAH ANN WOLL'S CHARACTER, JSI, WAS NOW BEG PLAYED BY A NEW ACTOR, NATHAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ACTOR WHO IALLY PLAYED JAM, LE GRIM, ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYG THAT HIS ABPT PARTURE "HAD NOTHG TO DO WH STORYL" AND MORE TO DO WH OTHER OPPORTUNI. (HE'LL BE APPEARG 2015'S SURE-TO-BE MEGAH "FIFTY SHAS OF GREY," FOR EXAMPLE.) AND HBO, FOR S PART, ATTRIBUTED HIS CISN TO "THE CREATIVE DIRECTN OF THE CHARACTER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ONCE BEME CLEAR THAT GRIM' FORMER CHARACTER WAS BISEXUAL, AND HEAD FOR ROMANCE WH NELSAN ELLIS' FAN-FAVORE CHARACTER LAFAYETTE, THE STORY GOT A B EPER -- AND NOW, WEEKS AFTER BUZZFEED FIRST REPORTED THAT GRIM ED EXED THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY GAY, AND THAT HIS ACTNS "BAFFLED AND ANGERED" THE "TE BLOOD" ST AND CREW, ELLIS HIMSELF IS SPEAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I MEAN, I N SAY I'M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU'RE AN ACTOR, YOU'RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT'S 'TE BLOOD,'" ELLIS TOLD VULTURE AFTER THE JULY 20 EPISO, WHICH FEATURED LAFAYETTE AND JAM' FIRST SEX SCENE. "WE'RE ALL STG THERE GOG, 'YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE ... REALLY?' I'M JT... I'M OVER HIM. YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF 'S ... YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOG TO STOP TALKG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS DIDN'T STOP THERE, HOWEVER -- HE POTED OUT THAT GRIM' ACTNS MAKE A FIVE STATEMENT, AND THAT A STATEMENT OF THIS KD N HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT," HE NTUED. "I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED 'DAMN WONRFUL,' ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, 'I DON'T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE 'S GAY.' IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY...? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE EFFECTS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS ALSO SAID THAT, AS AN ACTOR, YOU N'T E TO A PROJECT -- PECIALLY A PROJECT LIKE "TE BLOOD," WHICH BOASTED FIVE FULL YEARS OF SEX AND LGBT-IENDLY NTENT BEFORE GRIM EVEN ENTERED THE SCENE -- AND TELL YOUR BOSS WHAT YOU WILL AND WILL NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE'RE LIKE, 'WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?' BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT ... I WAS KD OF LIKE, 'HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?'" HE SAID, REFERRG TO THE SHOW'S OPENLY GAY CREATOR. "I'M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N'T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N'T TELL MY BOSS, 'I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,' PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT IS. I WAS LIKE, 'OKAY... I GUS?' I JT THOUGHT THAT, HAVG JT DONE THE DOCUMENTARY, I DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE RPONSIBILY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THERE YOU HAVE -- THE MYSTERY OF JAM KENT'S NEW FACE HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SOLVED. BUT DON'T FOR ONE SEND FEEL SORRY FOR ELLIS, WHO SAYS HE ADOR AND HAS "GREAT CHEMISTRY" WH PARSONS, WHO SEEMS MORE THAN HAPPY TO BE STARRG ON THIS BLOCKBTER SHOW. AND THEN, OF URSE, THERE'S THE FACT THAT GRIM WILL LIKELY NOT BE VED TO STAR THE "TE BLOOD" MIL... OR ON ANY HBO SHOWS GENERAL, ACRDG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I DON'T THK HE'LL BE VED BACK TO HBO," THE ACTOR NCLUD, WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• NELSAN ELLIS (LAFAYETTE) TALKS ‘TE BLOOD,’ GAY MARRIAGE, TYLER PERRY
• NELSAN ELLIS AND NATHAN PARSONS ON "TE BLOOD" GAY SEX SCENE, SHADG LE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY NEWNOWNEXT STAFFJULY 21, 2014/3:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY NEWNOWNEXT STAFFJULY 21, 2014 / 3:00 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"NELSAN ELLIS AND NATHAN PARSONS ON \"TE BLOOD\" GAY SEX SCENE, SHADG LE GRIM","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-21T19:00:17.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-21T19:00:17.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NEWNOWNEXT STAFF","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED LAST NIGHT'S TE BLOOD BE WARNED THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS AHEAD—MOSTLY RELATG TO LAFAYETTE (NELSAN ELLIS) AND JAM (NATHAN PARSONS). IN "LOST CSE," VAMP WARS JSI (DEBORAH ANN WOLL) WALKS ON THE GUYS HAVG SEX AND DUMPS JAM, SHG TO JASON STACKHOE'S ARMS OUT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH HONEY, WE'D DO THE SAME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOTH PARSONS AND ELLIS, WHO HASN'T HAD A TE BLOOD LOVE TERT SCE JúS (KEV ALEJANDRO) WAS CELLY KILLED, SPOKE TO THE PRS RECENTLY ABOUT THE GAY STORYLE—A RARY EVEN FOR THE SEX-HEAVY TE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VULTURE GOT ELLIS TO GO ON THE RERD ABOUT LE GRIM, WHO WAS ORIGALLY ST AS JAM BUT QU THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID YOU EVER GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO OR BOND WH LE GRIM WHEN HE WAS PLAYG JAM, BEFORE THEY SWCHED OFF?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS: I DIDN’T, BUT I’M PLETELY… I MEAN, I N SAY I’M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU’RE AN ACTOR, YOU’RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT’S TE BLOOD, WE’RE ALL STG THERE GOG, “YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE … REALLY?” I’M JT… I’M OVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF ’S—YOU KNOW WHAT? I’M GOG TO STOP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VULTURE: THAT’S OKAY. I GET WHAT YOU’RE SAYG. IF YOU’RE GOG TO BE ON TE BLOOD, YOU HAVE TO BE OPEN TO A LOT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS: YOU HAVE TO BE OPEN. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT. I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED DAMN WONRFUL, ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, “I DON’T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE ’S GAY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY…? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FIRST OF ALL, THIS SHOW, ’S TE BLOOD, AND SH, WE GET SRED WHEN WE READ SCRIPTS! EXCE MY LANGUAGE. WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE’RE LIKE, “WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?” BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT… I WAS KD OF LIKE, “HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?” I’M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N’T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N’T TELL MY BOSS, “I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,” PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}... I DIDN’T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VULTURE: IS SAFE TO SAY HE WON’T BE VED BACK FOR THE TE BLOOD MIL?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS: [LGHS.] I DON’T THK HE’LL BE VED BACK TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ELLIS HAD NOTHG BUT PRAISE FOR PARSONS, EVEN IF SMOOCHG HIM WASN'T ON HIS BUCKET LIST. "KISSG HIM WAS WEIRD AT FIRST, BUT THEN I WENT, "OKAY!" SAYS ELLIS. "SAME WH KEV [ALEJANDRO]— I N CLOSE MY EY, AND YOU N BE THE GIRLIEND. IT'S NOT REALLY A BIG AL. IT'S EASY BREEZY. I MEAN, HE'S A WONRFUL ACTOR. I LOVE WATCHG HIM WORK. LOVE WATCHG HIM WORK. OUR FIRST SCENE TOGETHER, I JT LISTENED TO HIM TALK MOST OF THE TIME. AND WE HAVE GOOD CHEMISTRY, AND WORKED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARSONS WAS SIARLY EFFIVE ABOUT ELLIS TO THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, AND GIV SOME SIGHT TO LAFAYETTE AND JAM' {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT ATTRACTS JAM AND LAFAYETTE TO EACH OTHER?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK THEY’RE KD OF OF SIAR MDS. JAM IS A FLOWER CHILD HIMSELF. HE’S A HIPPIE, HE’S EE LOVE. THE TRICK WH JAM IS, THOUGH HE’S A PACIFIST, HE’S STILL A VAMPIRE, WHICH IS NOT A PEACEFUL THG TO BE...{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LAFAYETTE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THE TERT AND TAK THE TIME TO SAY, "WHAT’S WRONG, WHAT’S GOG ON WH YOU?" THERE’S A MUTUAL NNECTN WHERE THEY BOTH JT WANT TO HAVE FUN AND BE EASY, LOVE EACH OTHER, TAKE RE OF EACH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DID YOU APPROACH SHOOTG THEIR SEX SCENE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS A FULL-NIGHT SHOOT, AND WE HAD A BUNCH OF GROUP STUFF TO DO EARLIER THAT DAY. THERE WERE 20 ACTORS THERE AND WE SHOT ALL THEIR STUFF, AND THEN FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE HOURS WAS JT ME AND NELSAN. I THK ONCE WE GOT OVER THE CRAZS OF ANIZG THE EXTRAS, AND DOG THE GROUP SHOTS AND THE STEADIM WORK, WE WERE ABLE TO FOC ON THE TIMATE MOMENTS WHOUT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONCE YOU BREAK THE ICE PHYSILLY, THEN ALL BE EASIER, AND YOU REALIZE IS JT TWO PEOPLE. THERE’S ANOTHER 200 PEOPLE THE CREW, OF URSE. BUT THAT MOMENT, ’S REALLY JT ABOUT TWO PEOPLE AND A SHARED NNECTN. THAT RIGHT THERE MA THE WHOLE THG WORK OUT—THAT WE’LL GET TO THE PHYSIL STUFF, THAT’S A GIVEN, BUT BEFORE THAT AND AFTER THAT, THERE ARE LTLE MOMENTS OF TE NNECTN THAT HAPPEN, AND THEY JT LATE AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARSONS SAYS THE HARST PART OF THE SEX SCENE WAS MAKG SEEM NATURAL. "WE DIDN’T WANT TO BE UNFORTABLE TO WATCH OR OVER THE TOP," HE SAYS. "IT HAS TO BE SOMETHG THAT IS SEEMGLY ANIC AND LOVG, STEAD OF JT HAVG SEX FOR THE SAKE OF HAVG SEX... I THK TURNED OUT REALLY WELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE'D HAVE TO AGREE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

'TE BLOOD' ACTOR NELSAN ELLIS: FORMER STAR QU BEE HE DIDN'T 'WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART'

But Grim reportedly qu December when he found out Kent was bisexual and startg a romantic relatnship wh a gay character the seventh and fal Nelsan Ellis, the actor who plays Kent’s gay lover on the show, is speakg up -- and he’s not happy. “You qu your job bee you don’t want to play a gay part?

You make a big statement when you go, ‘I don’t want to play this part bee ’s gay, ” Ellis told New York Magaze followg the airg this week of his character’s sex scene wh the new actor playg Kent. ”Yet crics argue that Grim should have known what he was gettg to when he ially signed the dotted le, given that the supernatural drama – created by the openly gay Alan Ball and produced by his pany njunctn wh HBO – routely ph the envelope when to relatnships.

“It’s unfortunate that an actor today would feel unfortable playg gay, pecially on a program that has always put LGBT characters ont and center, ” Stacy Lambe, Associate Edor for the gay and lbian-foced OUT Magaze said.

REMEMBERG NELSAN ELLIS AS A CHAMPN OF GAY RIGHTS, ON ‘TE BLOOD’ SET AND OFF

First, here’s a highly memorable scene which Ellis’ character, Lafayette, nonts some homophobic ders who are angry their food has been prepared by a gay man:.

'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'THE REAL REASON BEHD LE GRIM' EX A'T SO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014/12:27 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}HBOBY SHNNA MURPHYJULY 22, 2014 / 12:27 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'TE BLOOD' ACTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EX-COSTAR'S ANTI-GAY BEHAVR: 'I'M OVER HIM'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-22T16:27:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"SHNNA MURPHY","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN "TE BLOOD" RETURNED FOR S SEVENTH AND FAL SEASON EARLIER THIS SUMMER, FANS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ONE CCIAL CHARACTER HAD A DIFFERENT FACE -- JAM, THE STUDLY VAMPIRE WHO ENTERED THE SHOW SEASON SIX TO ROMANCE DEBORAH ANN WOLL'S CHARACTER, JSI, WAS NOW BEG PLAYED BY A NEW ACTOR, NATHAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ACTOR WHO IALLY PLAYED JAM, LE GRIM, ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYG THAT HIS ABPT PARTURE "HAD NOTHG TO DO WH STORYL" AND MORE TO DO WH OTHER OPPORTUNI. (HE'LL BE APPEARG 2015'S SURE-TO-BE MEGAH "FIFTY SHAS OF GREY," FOR EXAMPLE.) AND HBO, FOR S PART, ATTRIBUTED HIS CISN TO "THE CREATIVE DIRECTN OF THE CHARACTER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ONCE BEME CLEAR THAT GRIM' FORMER CHARACTER WAS BISEXUAL, AND HEAD FOR ROMANCE WH NELSAN ELLIS' FAN-FAVORE CHARACTER LAFAYETTE, THE STORY GOT A B EPER -- AND NOW, WEEKS AFTER BUZZFEED FIRST REPORTED THAT GRIM ED EXED THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY GAY, AND THAT HIS ACTNS "BAFFLED AND ANGERED" THE "TE BLOOD" ST AND CREW, ELLIS HIMSELF IS SPEAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I MEAN, I N SAY I'M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU'RE AN ACTOR, YOU'RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT'S 'TE BLOOD,'" ELLIS TOLD VULTURE AFTER THE JULY 20 EPISO, WHICH FEATURED LAFAYETTE AND JAM' FIRST SEX SCENE. "WE'RE ALL STG THERE GOG, 'YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE ... REALLY?' I'M JT... I'M OVER HIM. YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF 'S ... YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOG TO STOP TALKG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS DIDN'T STOP THERE, HOWEVER -- HE POTED OUT THAT GRIM' ACTNS MAKE A FIVE STATEMENT, AND THAT A STATEMENT OF THIS KD N HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT," HE NTUED. "I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED 'DAMN WONRFUL,' ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, 'I DON'T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE 'S GAY.' IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY...? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE EFFECTS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS ALSO SAID THAT, AS AN ACTOR, YOU N'T E TO A PROJECT -- PECIALLY A PROJECT LIKE "TE BLOOD," WHICH BOASTED FIVE FULL YEARS OF SEX AND LGBT-IENDLY NTENT BEFORE GRIM EVEN ENTERED THE SCENE -- AND TELL YOUR BOSS WHAT YOU WILL AND WILL NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE'RE LIKE, 'WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?' BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT ... I WAS KD OF LIKE, 'HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?'" HE SAID, REFERRG TO THE SHOW'S OPENLY GAY CREATOR. "I'M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N'T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N'T TELL MY BOSS, 'I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,' PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT IS. I WAS LIKE, 'OKAY... I GUS?' I JT THOUGHT THAT, HAVG JT DONE THE DOCUMENTARY, I DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE RPONSIBILY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THERE YOU HAVE -- THE MYSTERY OF JAM KENT'S NEW FACE HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SOLVED. BUT DON'T FOR ONE SEND FEEL SORRY FOR ELLIS, WHO SAYS HE ADOR AND HAS "GREAT CHEMISTRY" WH PARSONS, WHO SEEMS MORE THAN HAPPY TO BE STARRG ON THIS BLOCKBTER SHOW. AND THEN, OF URSE, THERE'S THE FACT THAT GRIM WILL LIKELY NOT BE VED TO STAR THE "TE BLOOD" MIL... OR ON ANY HBO SHOWS GENERAL, ACRDG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I DON'T THK HE'LL BE VED BACK TO HBO," THE ACTOR NCLUD, WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Subscribe to Queerty for a daily dose of #entertament #homophobia #nelsanellis stori and more.

"But once beme clear that Grim' former character was bisexual, and head for romance wh Nelsan Ellis' fan-favore character Lafayette, the story got a b eper -- and now, weeks after Buzzfeed first reported that Grim ed exed the show bee he didn't want to play gay, and that his actns "baffled and angered" the "Te Blood" st and crew, Ellis himself is speakg out. You qu your job bee you don't want to play a gay part? "I did a documentary lled 'Damn Wonrful, ' about gay suici, and you make a statement, a big statement, when you go, 'I don't want to play this part bee 's gay.

NELSAN ELLIS (LAFAYETTE) TALKS ‘TE BLOOD,’ GAY MARRIAGE, TYLER PERRY

' If you have a child, if you have a son, and he out as gay, what are you gog to do? If you have a dghter who out gay...? '" he said, referrg to the show's openly gay creator.

Relled by many as talented and unrrated, Ellis beme a Te Blood fan-favore for his portrayal of the scene-stealg, gay short orr ok at Merlotte’s Bar the fictnal Louisiana town. ” Ellis’s character was ld for breakg stereotyp of gay men. Lafayette is a gay man who is flamboyant and egreg but at the same time isn’t stereotypil.

Here, he tells VIBE how he brought Lafayette to life, what the gay muny thks about the character and how he plans to transn beyond his Te Blood role. So that stereotype you were playg mt have been a Queenie type of gay guy, huh? What’s been the feedback om the gay muny?

NELSAN ELLIS AND NATHAN PARSONS ON "TE BLOOD" GAY SEX SCENE, SHADG LE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY NEWNOWNEXT STAFFJULY 21, 2014/3:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY NEWNOWNEXT STAFFJULY 21, 2014 / 3:00 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"NELSAN ELLIS AND NATHAN PARSONS ON \"TE BLOOD\" GAY SEX SCENE, SHADG LE GRIM","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2014-07-21T19:00:17.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2014-07-21T19:00:17.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NEWNOWNEXT STAFF","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED LAST NIGHT'S TE BLOOD BE WARNED THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS AHEAD—MOSTLY RELATG TO LAFAYETTE (NELSAN ELLIS) AND JAM (NATHAN PARSONS). IN "LOST CSE," VAMP WARS JSI (DEBORAH ANN WOLL) WALKS ON THE GUYS HAVG SEX AND DUMPS JAM, SHG TO JASON STACKHOE'S ARMS OUT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH HONEY, WE'D DO THE SAME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOTH PARSONS AND ELLIS, WHO HASN'T HAD A TE BLOOD LOVE TERT SCE JúS (KEV ALEJANDRO) WAS CELLY KILLED, SPOKE TO THE PRS RECENTLY ABOUT THE GAY STORYLE—A RARY EVEN FOR THE SEX-HEAVY TE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VULTURE GOT ELLIS TO GO ON THE RERD ABOUT LE GRIM, WHO WAS ORIGALLY ST AS JAM BUT QU THE SHOW BEE HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID YOU EVER GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO OR BOND WH LE GRIM WHEN HE WAS PLAYG JAM, BEFORE THEY SWCHED OFF?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS: I DIDN’T, BUT I’M PLETELY… I MEAN, I N SAY I’M NOT GOG TO MAKE A MENT, BUT I JT THK THAT, YOU’RE AN ACTOR, YOU’RE AN ACTOR ON A SHOW THAT’S TE BLOOD, WE’RE ALL STG THERE GOG, “YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE … REALLY?” I’M JT… I’M OVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU QU YOUR JOB BEE YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAY A GAY PART? AS IF ’S—YOU KNOW WHAT? I’M GOG TO STOP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VULTURE: THAT’S OKAY. I GET WHAT YOU’RE SAYG. IF YOU’RE GOG TO BE ON TE BLOOD, YOU HAVE TO BE OPEN TO A LOT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS: YOU HAVE TO BE OPEN. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHG LIKE THAT. I DID A DOCUMENTARY LLED DAMN WONRFUL, ABOUT GAY SUICI, AND YOU MAKE A STATEMENT, A BIG STATEMENT, WHEN YOU GO, “I DON’T WANT TO PLAY THIS PART BEE ’S GAY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, IF YOU HAVE A SON, AND HE OUT AS GAY, WHAT ARE YOU GOG TO DO? IF YOU HAVE A DGHTER WHO OUT GAY…? YOU JT MA A STATEMENT, AND HAS RIPPLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FIRST OF ALL, THIS SHOW, ’S TE BLOOD, AND SH, WE GET SRED WHEN WE READ SCRIPTS! EXCE MY LANGUAGE. WHEN SCRIPTS E, WE’RE LIKE, “WHAT ARE THEY GOG TO HAVE DO THIS WEEK?” BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS A JUDGMENT… I WAS KD OF LIKE, “HAVE YOU MET ALAN BALL?” I’M SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT MY BOSS TELLS ME TO DO, AS AN ACTOR. I N’T APPROACH A CHARACTER WH JUDGMENT. I CERTALY N’T TELL MY BOSS, “I N ACT WHAT I WANT TO ACT, BUT NOT WHAT YOU TELL ME TO ACT,” PECIALLY ON A SHOW WHERE YOU E , KNOWG WHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}... I DIDN’T LIKE WHAT HE DID BEE HE MA A STATEMENT, AND SOMETIM YOU HAVE TO TAKE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VULTURE: IS SAFE TO SAY HE WON’T BE VED BACK FOR THE TE BLOOD MIL?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLIS: [LGHS.] I DON’T THK HE’LL BE VED BACK TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT ELLIS HAD NOTHG BUT PRAISE FOR PARSONS, EVEN IF SMOOCHG HIM WASN'T ON HIS BUCKET LIST. "KISSG HIM WAS WEIRD AT FIRST, BUT THEN I WENT, "OKAY!" SAYS ELLIS. "SAME WH KEV [ALEJANDRO]— I N CLOSE MY EY, AND YOU N BE THE GIRLIEND. IT'S NOT REALLY A BIG AL. IT'S EASY BREEZY. I MEAN, HE'S A WONRFUL ACTOR. I LOVE WATCHG HIM WORK. LOVE WATCHG HIM WORK. OUR FIRST SCENE TOGETHER, I JT LISTENED TO HIM TALK MOST OF THE TIME. AND WE HAVE GOOD CHEMISTRY, AND WORKED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARSONS WAS SIARLY EFFIVE ABOUT ELLIS TO THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, AND GIV SOME SIGHT TO LAFAYETTE AND JAM' {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT ATTRACTS JAM AND LAFAYETTE TO EACH OTHER?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK THEY’RE KD OF OF SIAR MDS. JAM IS A FLOWER CHILD HIMSELF. HE’S A HIPPIE, HE’S EE LOVE. THE TRICK WH JAM IS, THOUGH HE’S A PACIFIST, HE’S STILL A VAMPIRE, WHICH IS NOT A PEACEFUL THG TO BE...{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LAFAYETTE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THE TERT AND TAK THE TIME TO SAY, "WHAT’S WRONG, WHAT’S GOG ON WH YOU?" THERE’S A MUTUAL NNECTN WHERE THEY BOTH JT WANT TO HAVE FUN AND BE EASY, LOVE EACH OTHER, TAKE RE OF EACH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DID YOU APPROACH SHOOTG THEIR SEX SCENE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS A FULL-NIGHT SHOOT, AND WE HAD A BUNCH OF GROUP STUFF TO DO EARLIER THAT DAY. THERE WERE 20 ACTORS THERE AND WE SHOT ALL THEIR STUFF, AND THEN FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE HOURS WAS JT ME AND NELSAN. I THK ONCE WE GOT OVER THE CRAZS OF ANIZG THE EXTRAS, AND DOG THE GROUP SHOTS AND THE STEADIM WORK, WE WERE ABLE TO FOC ON THE TIMATE MOMENTS WHOUT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONCE YOU BREAK THE ICE PHYSILLY, THEN ALL BE EASIER, AND YOU REALIZE IS JT TWO PEOPLE. THERE’S ANOTHER 200 PEOPLE THE CREW, OF URSE. BUT THAT MOMENT, ’S REALLY JT ABOUT TWO PEOPLE AND A SHARED NNECTN. THAT RIGHT THERE MA THE WHOLE THG WORK OUT—THAT WE’LL GET TO THE PHYSIL STUFF, THAT’S A GIVEN, BUT BEFORE THAT AND AFTER THAT, THERE ARE LTLE MOMENTS OF TE NNECTN THAT HAPPEN, AND THEY JT LATE AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARSONS SAYS THE HARST PART OF THE SEX SCENE WAS MAKG SEEM NATURAL. "WE DIDN’T WANT TO BE UNFORTABLE TO WATCH OR OVER THE TOP," HE SAYS. "IT HAS TO BE SOMETHG THAT IS SEEMGLY ANIC AND LOVG, STEAD OF JT HAVG SEX FOR THE SAKE OF HAVG SEX... I THK TURNED OUT REALLY WELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE'D HAVE TO AGREE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

I don’t thk ’s a reflectn of the gay muny that’s jt Lafayette. But this is jt om what I hear, I haven’t really spoken to the gay muny outsi him [Lghs]. But then aga, I do play a gay character.

I don’t answer that qutn, “Are you gay or not, ” when down to dtry people. (Bachelor of Fe Arts) gree om won a 2008 Satelle Award om the Internatnal Prs Amy for bt supportg actor a televisn seri for his role as Lafayette Reynolds HBO’s Te 2008, he won a Satelle Award for the bt actor for a supportg role the televisn seri Te 2011 and 2012, he was nomated for an Image Award for ‘Outstandg Supportg Actor a Drama Seri for Te appeared as a waer lled Henry a film lled The Help (2011) the Te Blood novels, Lafayette Reynolds isn’t an important character, however director Alan Ball worked wh Ellis to make the TV versn of Lafayette e to life more wh important, plex story said he did not like Lafayette the books, however he loved Lafayette’s script for the pilot supported gay ed to get annoyed when people the dtry assume he is gay bee of his role Te Blood.