Andra Fuller On Playg A Gay Black Man On The L.A. Complex

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• LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT "THE LA COMPLEX"{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;}TVBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012/3:19 PMBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012 / 3:19 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT \"THE LA COMPLEX\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","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":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{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;}TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER) NNECT ON LA {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’VE BEEN WATCHG THE NEW CW DRAMA THE LA COMPLEX YOU KNOW THE BIG SURPRISE AT THE END OF LAST WEEK’S EPISO WAS THE AGGRSIVE MAN-ON-MAN KISSG BY GOOD GUY TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND BAD BOY HIP-HOPPER KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER). WHILE THE RT OF THE RINTS AT THE LA COMPLEX HAVE BEEN ALG WH THEIR OWN RELATNSHIP DRAMAS, TARIQ, WORKG AS A PRODUCTN ASSISTANT AT A MIC PANY, WAS RECENTLY GIVEN THE DNTG TASK OF HANDLG SUPERSTAR KALDRICK, WHICH WAS NO EASY FEAT DUE TO THE STAR'S ARROGANCE, RED HOT TEMPER AND MACHO ATTU. WHO KNEW THAT UNRNEATH ALL THAT HIP-HOP BRAVADO WAS A BURNG-WH-SIRE GAY MAN?{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;}AFTERELTON CHATTED WH WATSON AND FULLER ABOUT THE VELOPMENT WH THEIR CHARACTERS, RPONSE OM FANS TO THE GAY STORYLE AND WHETHER THE “TALDRICK” RELATNSHIP IS PURELY PHYSIL OR MORE A MATTER OF 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;}AFTERELTON: BEN, WHEN YOU GOT THE ROLE DID YOU KNOW TARIQ’S WHOLE STORY?{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;}BENJAM CHARL WATSON: I FOUND OUT THE DN PROCS BEE WE HAD TO DN WH THE FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN MYSELF AND KALDRICK. YOU FIGURE OUT THAT THE TWO ARE LOVE AND ’S A UPLE’S FIGHT. IT’S ASPIRG, AND ’S A LTLE SRY THAT I’M NOT SURE HOW TO TAKE THIS ON. I’M NOT SURE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE STORY IS RIGHT AND EVERYTHG LIKE THAT. BUT I WAS REALLY SPIRED BY THE FACT THAT THIS IS A STORY NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD BEFORE. I THOUGHT THIS STORY NEEDS TO BE TOLD {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;}WATSON SAYS THERE'S FELY MORE THAN SEX GOG ON BETWEEN TARIQ 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;}AE: ANDRA, YOU’RE SENTIALLY PLAYG TWO SIS OF THE SAME CHARACTER SCE KALDRICK HAS SUCH A PERSONA HE PUTS OUT THERE FOR MOST PEOPLE, AND THEN THERE'S WHO HE REALLY IS. HOW WAS THAT TO PLAY?{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;}ANDRA FULLER: HE’S BASILLY TWO PEOPLE TRAPPED ONE. I GET TO PLAY EXTREMELY AGGRSIVE, ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE THIS HUGE CHIP ON HIS SHOULR, DARG ANYONE TO KNOCK OFF TYPE OF GUY. BUT AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTM, HE’S GUARDG THIS MAJOR SECRET, [AND] HE’S A PRISONER OF THAT SECRET. SO HE’S VERY VULNERABLE A SENSE THAT HE N'T BE FORTABLE BASILLY ANYTIME BEE IF HE ALLOWS HIMSELF TO BE TOO FORTABLE THEN THAT SECRET MAY SLIP OUT, AND MAY BE AT THE WRONG TIME, AROUND THE WRONG SET OF PEOPLE. SO THAT’S KD OF A LTLE OF THE SIGHT OF WHY HE ACTS THE WAY HE ACTS. IT BE MORE EVINT AS WE MOVE AROUND THE FIRST {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;}AE: THE SHOW AIRED CANADA EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHAT WAS THE RPONSE YOU HEARD AFTER THE SEND EPISO AIRED?{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;}BCW: AFTER EPISO TWO I WAS GETTG FACEBOOK MSAG AND TWTER FEEDS ABOUT 'HOLY SNAP, NO WAY! THAT’S CREDIBLE! THAT’S AWOME.!' IT’S BEEN PRETTY TENSE. THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN PRETTY POSIVE SO FAR. SO, I’VE BEEN REALLY STOKED AND REALLY HAPPY. SO, A UPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT EPISO I’VE BEEN GETTG EHER A LOT MORE TWTER MSAG OM PEOPLE THAT WERE THE STAT SAYG, ‘WOW, I’M SO HAPPY THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKG ABOUT THIS AND THE FACT THAT YOUR CHARACTER IS SO CLOSE TO WHO I AM. I’M FEELG REALLY NNECTED WH YOUR CHARACTER.'{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;}AE: YOU OFTEN HEAR ABOUT HOMOPHOBIA THE MIC BS, AND THAT’S CLEARLY REPRENTED HERE. YOU WERE AWARE THAT THAT WAS OUT THERE?{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;}AF:I WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE TYPE OF SCTY THAT I’D BE FACG AND ALSO THE CHALLENG TO BE A STRAIGHT MAN PLAYG A GAY CHARACTER ON TELEVISN. THAT BRGS A LOT OF CHALLENG WH SELF, BUT PARTICULAR PORTRAYG A HIP-HOP ARTIST, WHICH THE HIP-HOP DTRY IS SO ANTIGAY. A LOT OF THE METAPHORS WHEN THEY’RE REFERRG TO SOMETHG UNOL OR WHACK, THEY’LL SAY, 'IT’S GAY.' SO BIS PROFSNAL SPORTS, HIP-HOP IS PROBABLY THE MOST ANTI-GAY ATMOSPHERE THAT A PERSON N BE . SO TO PORTRAY A GAY CHARACTER WH THE HIP-HOP MUNY, NOT ONLY IS GROUNDBREAKG, BUT ’S GROUND RATTLG AS WELL. REALISTILLY SPEAKG, THERE ARE GAY PEOPLE RAP AND HIP-HOP. SO IMAGE HOW WHEN THOSE PEOPLE TCH THE SHOW OR TCH WD OF THIS SHOW HOW CLOSE ’S GOG TO H {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 ANDRA FULLER GET THAT BODY BY EATG BOWLS OF F LOOPS?{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;}AE: HOW DID YOU GUYS WORK ON THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN YOUR CHARACTERS?{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;}AF: WELL, FOR ME I APPROACHED OUR THEM AND THE ROL AND THE PROJECT JT GENERAL THE SAME WAY I APPROACH EVERY PROJECT. PROFSNALISM FIRST. SO I JT LOOKED AT AS AN ACTOR, I’M GOG TO KILL EVERYTHG THAT I'M . IT’S LIKE MY NUMBER ONE GOAL. IT’S THE EGO TYPIL PART OF BEG AN ACTOR. YOU'RE GOG TO TRY TO BE THE BT THAT YOU N BE ON ANY GIVEN THG. SO I DIDN'T REALLY READ TOO MUCH TO, WELL WE’VE GOT TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY. I KNEW THAT THE SCRIPT WAS WRTEN WELL ENOUGH AND JT AFTER MEETG BEN AT THE TABLE READ, I KNEW THAT WOULD E ACROSS WELL ON MERA, SO I WASN’T EVEN WORRIED ABOUT AT {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;}BCW: WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOG TO KISS OR DO ANYTHG. WE WERE JT GOG TO GO FOR BEE WE’RE BOTH PROFSNAL ACTORS, SO WE’RE JT GOG TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO. IT HAPPENED LIKE THAT, SO WAS {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;}AE: WOULD YOU SAY THAT THAT’S KD OF THE ATTRACTN FOR THEM? ON TOP OF JT BEG PHYSIL SOUNDS LIKE ’S GOG TO BE A LOT EPER THAN {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;}BCW: IT’S MORE ABOUT, 'WOW, I HAVE NEVER FELT SO CLOSE TO ANYONE, SO OPEN TO SOMEONE BEFORE MY ENTIRE LIFE.' IT’S LIKE THEY FOUND THIS EACH OTHER AND JT 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;}AF: IT’S WHAT KALDRICK HAS YEARNED FOR. HE’S HAD THE RELATNSHIPS WHERE ’S BEEN, AND PARTLY TENTNAL ON HIS BEHALF, HIS RELATNSHIPS THE PAST HAVE JT BEEN PHYSIL. 'I'M OUT OF THE UNTRY. I'M ON TOUR. NO STRGS ATTACHED.' BUT HE’S NEVER HAD THAT EMOTNAL NNECTN WH SOMEONE, PECIALLY SOMEONE WHO LIV HIS CY AND SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT HIS JOB. THAT’S PART OF THE IGHTENG THG ABOUT THIS WHOLE RELATNSHIP WH TARIQ, IS ’S SO CLOSE TO HOME THAT ’S A B UNSETTLG FOR {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;}THE TARIQ/KALDRICK RELATNSHIP WILL NTUE - THEY'RE CURRENTLY SHOOTG SEASON 2 {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;}AE: DO YOU THK PART OF THE ATTRACTN THAT KAL HAS TOWARDS TARIQ IS TARIQ BEG MORE FORTABLE HIS OWN SK?{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;}AF: ABSOLUTELY. WHEN KAL THKS ABOUT TARIQ, HE N APPRECIATE AND SORT OF ENVY THE FACT THAT TARIQ IS HIMSELF. HE DON’T HAVE TO MASK . HE DON’T HAVE TO STEP BEHD DOORS AND HID. AND KAL APPRECIAT THAT. LIKE I SAID, HE ENVI THAT. HE’S NOT THE GUY TO BE HIMSELF. HE HAS TO PARA AROUND AND PRETEND TO BE SOMEBODY THAT HE’S NOT. AND WH TARIQ, HE N TO THE BT OF HIS ABILY, FALLY LET HIS GUARD DOWN AND JT 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;}AE: ANDRA, YOU'RE OBVLY VERY GOOD SHAPE. WHAT’S A FOOD WEAKNS THAT YOU JT HAVE A HARD TIME SAYG NO 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;}AF: MY FOOD WEAKNS, AND THIS IS HILAR G OM A GROWN MAN, MY FOOD WEAKNS IS {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;}AE: OH, I LOVE {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;}AF: CNAMON TOAST CNCH, APPLE JACKS, F LOOPS, AND LERALLY EVERY SUGARY CEREAL YOU N IMAGE. USUALLY, I’LL HAVE A BOWL OF CEREAL JT ABOUT EVERY NIGHT BEFORE I GO 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;}THE LA COMPLEX AIRS TUDAYS AT 9/8C ON 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;}{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;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• ANDRA FULLER ON PLAYG A GAY BLACK MAN ON NETWORK TELEVISN

LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT "THE LA COMPLEX"{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;}TVBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012/3:19 PMBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012 / 3:19 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT \"THE LA COMPLEX\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","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":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{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;}TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER) NNECT ON LA {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’VE BEEN WATCHG THE NEW CW DRAMA THE LA COMPLEX YOU KNOW THE BIG SURPRISE AT THE END OF LAST WEEK’S EPISO WAS THE AGGRSIVE MAN-ON-MAN KISSG BY GOOD GUY TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND BAD BOY HIP-HOPPER KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER). WHILE THE RT OF THE RINTS AT THE LA COMPLEX HAVE BEEN ALG WH THEIR OWN RELATNSHIP DRAMAS, TARIQ, WORKG AS A PRODUCTN ASSISTANT AT A MIC PANY, WAS RECENTLY GIVEN THE DNTG TASK OF HANDLG SUPERSTAR KALDRICK, WHICH WAS NO EASY FEAT DUE TO THE STAR'S ARROGANCE, RED HOT TEMPER AND MACHO ATTU. WHO KNEW THAT UNRNEATH ALL THAT HIP-HOP BRAVADO WAS A BURNG-WH-SIRE GAY MAN?{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;}AFTERELTON CHATTED WH WATSON AND FULLER ABOUT THE VELOPMENT WH THEIR CHARACTERS, RPONSE OM FANS TO THE GAY STORYLE AND WHETHER THE “TALDRICK” RELATNSHIP IS PURELY PHYSIL OR MORE A MATTER OF 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;}AFTERELTON: BEN, WHEN YOU GOT THE ROLE DID YOU KNOW TARIQ’S WHOLE STORY?{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;}BENJAM CHARL WATSON: I FOUND OUT THE DN PROCS BEE WE HAD TO DN WH THE FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN MYSELF AND KALDRICK. YOU FIGURE OUT THAT THE TWO ARE LOVE AND ’S A UPLE’S FIGHT. IT’S ASPIRG, AND ’S A LTLE SRY THAT I’M NOT SURE HOW TO TAKE THIS ON. I’M NOT SURE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE STORY IS RIGHT AND EVERYTHG LIKE THAT. BUT I WAS REALLY SPIRED BY THE FACT THAT THIS IS A STORY NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD BEFORE. I THOUGHT THIS STORY NEEDS TO BE TOLD {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;}WATSON SAYS THERE'S FELY MORE THAN SEX GOG ON BETWEEN TARIQ 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;}AE: ANDRA, YOU’RE SENTIALLY PLAYG TWO SIS OF THE SAME CHARACTER SCE KALDRICK HAS SUCH A PERSONA HE PUTS OUT THERE FOR MOST PEOPLE, AND THEN THERE'S WHO HE REALLY IS. HOW WAS THAT TO PLAY?{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;}ANDRA FULLER: HE’S BASILLY TWO PEOPLE TRAPPED ONE. I GET TO PLAY EXTREMELY AGGRSIVE, ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE THIS HUGE CHIP ON HIS SHOULR, DARG ANYONE TO KNOCK OFF TYPE OF GUY. BUT AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTM, HE’S GUARDG THIS MAJOR SECRET, [AND] HE’S A PRISONER OF THAT SECRET. SO HE’S VERY VULNERABLE A SENSE THAT HE N'T BE FORTABLE BASILLY ANYTIME BEE IF HE ALLOWS HIMSELF TO BE TOO FORTABLE THEN THAT SECRET MAY SLIP OUT, AND MAY BE AT THE WRONG TIME, AROUND THE WRONG SET OF PEOPLE. SO THAT’S KD OF A LTLE OF THE SIGHT OF WHY HE ACTS THE WAY HE ACTS. IT BE MORE EVINT AS WE MOVE AROUND THE FIRST {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;}AE: THE SHOW AIRED CANADA EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHAT WAS THE RPONSE YOU HEARD AFTER THE SEND EPISO AIRED?{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;}BCW: AFTER EPISO TWO I WAS GETTG FACEBOOK MSAG AND TWTER FEEDS ABOUT 'HOLY SNAP, NO WAY! THAT’S CREDIBLE! THAT’S AWOME.!' IT’S BEEN PRETTY TENSE. THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN PRETTY POSIVE SO FAR. SO, I’VE BEEN REALLY STOKED AND REALLY HAPPY. SO, A UPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT EPISO I’VE BEEN GETTG EHER A LOT MORE TWTER MSAG OM PEOPLE THAT WERE THE STAT SAYG, ‘WOW, I’M SO HAPPY THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKG ABOUT THIS AND THE FACT THAT YOUR CHARACTER IS SO CLOSE TO WHO I AM. I’M FEELG REALLY NNECTED WH YOUR CHARACTER.'{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;}AE: YOU OFTEN HEAR ABOUT HOMOPHOBIA THE MIC BS, AND THAT’S CLEARLY REPRENTED HERE. YOU WERE AWARE THAT THAT WAS OUT THERE?{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;}AF:I WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE TYPE OF SCTY THAT I’D BE FACG AND ALSO THE CHALLENG TO BE A STRAIGHT MAN PLAYG A GAY CHARACTER ON TELEVISN. THAT BRGS A LOT OF CHALLENG WH SELF, BUT PARTICULAR PORTRAYG A HIP-HOP ARTIST, WHICH THE HIP-HOP DTRY IS SO ANTIGAY. A LOT OF THE METAPHORS WHEN THEY’RE REFERRG TO SOMETHG UNOL OR WHACK, THEY’LL SAY, 'IT’S GAY.' SO BIS PROFSNAL SPORTS, HIP-HOP IS PROBABLY THE MOST ANTI-GAY ATMOSPHERE THAT A PERSON N BE . SO TO PORTRAY A GAY CHARACTER WH THE HIP-HOP MUNY, NOT ONLY IS GROUNDBREAKG, BUT ’S GROUND RATTLG AS WELL. REALISTILLY SPEAKG, THERE ARE GAY PEOPLE RAP AND HIP-HOP. SO IMAGE HOW WHEN THOSE PEOPLE TCH THE SHOW OR TCH WD OF THIS SHOW HOW CLOSE ’S GOG TO H {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 ANDRA FULLER GET THAT BODY BY EATG BOWLS OF F LOOPS?{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;}AE: HOW DID YOU GUYS WORK ON THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN YOUR CHARACTERS?{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;}AF: WELL, FOR ME I APPROACHED OUR THEM AND THE ROL AND THE PROJECT JT GENERAL THE SAME WAY I APPROACH EVERY PROJECT. PROFSNALISM FIRST. SO I JT LOOKED AT AS AN ACTOR, I’M GOG TO KILL EVERYTHG THAT I'M . IT’S LIKE MY NUMBER ONE GOAL. IT’S THE EGO TYPIL PART OF BEG AN ACTOR. YOU'RE GOG TO TRY TO BE THE BT THAT YOU N BE ON ANY GIVEN THG. SO I DIDN'T REALLY READ TOO MUCH TO, WELL WE’VE GOT TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY. I KNEW THAT THE SCRIPT WAS WRTEN WELL ENOUGH AND JT AFTER MEETG BEN AT THE TABLE READ, I KNEW THAT WOULD E ACROSS WELL ON MERA, SO I WASN’T EVEN WORRIED ABOUT AT {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;}BCW: WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOG TO KISS OR DO ANYTHG. WE WERE JT GOG TO GO FOR BEE WE’RE BOTH PROFSNAL ACTORS, SO WE’RE JT GOG TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO. IT HAPPENED LIKE THAT, SO WAS {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;}AE: WOULD YOU SAY THAT THAT’S KD OF THE ATTRACTN FOR THEM? ON TOP OF JT BEG PHYSIL SOUNDS LIKE ’S GOG TO BE A LOT EPER THAN {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;}BCW: IT’S MORE ABOUT, 'WOW, I HAVE NEVER FELT SO CLOSE TO ANYONE, SO OPEN TO SOMEONE BEFORE MY ENTIRE LIFE.' IT’S LIKE THEY FOUND THIS EACH OTHER AND JT 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;}AF: IT’S WHAT KALDRICK HAS YEARNED FOR. HE’S HAD THE RELATNSHIPS WHERE ’S BEEN, AND PARTLY TENTNAL ON HIS BEHALF, HIS RELATNSHIPS THE PAST HAVE JT BEEN PHYSIL. 'I'M OUT OF THE UNTRY. I'M ON TOUR. NO STRGS ATTACHED.' BUT HE’S NEVER HAD THAT EMOTNAL NNECTN WH SOMEONE, PECIALLY SOMEONE WHO LIV HIS CY AND SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT HIS JOB. THAT’S PART OF THE IGHTENG THG ABOUT THIS WHOLE RELATNSHIP WH TARIQ, IS ’S SO CLOSE TO HOME THAT ’S A B UNSETTLG FOR {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;}THE TARIQ/KALDRICK RELATNSHIP WILL NTUE - THEY'RE CURRENTLY SHOOTG SEASON 2 {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;}AE: DO YOU THK PART OF THE ATTRACTN THAT KAL HAS TOWARDS TARIQ IS TARIQ BEG MORE FORTABLE HIS OWN SK?{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;}AF: ABSOLUTELY. WHEN KAL THKS ABOUT TARIQ, HE N APPRECIATE AND SORT OF ENVY THE FACT THAT TARIQ IS HIMSELF. HE DON’T HAVE TO MASK . HE DON’T HAVE TO STEP BEHD DOORS AND HID. AND KAL APPRECIAT THAT. LIKE I SAID, HE ENVI THAT. HE’S NOT THE GUY TO BE HIMSELF. HE HAS TO PARA AROUND AND PRETEND TO BE SOMEBODY THAT HE’S NOT. AND WH TARIQ, HE N TO THE BT OF HIS ABILY, FALLY LET HIS GUARD DOWN AND JT 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;}AE: ANDRA, YOU'RE OBVLY VERY GOOD SHAPE. WHAT’S A FOOD WEAKNS THAT YOU JT HAVE A HARD TIME SAYG NO 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;}AF: MY FOOD WEAKNS, AND THIS IS HILAR G OM A GROWN MAN, MY FOOD WEAKNS IS {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;}AE: OH, I LOVE {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;}AF: CNAMON TOAST CNCH, APPLE JACKS, F LOOPS, AND LERALLY EVERY SUGARY CEREAL YOU N IMAGE. USUALLY, I’LL HAVE A BOWL OF CEREAL JT ABOUT EVERY NIGHT BEFORE I GO 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;}THE LA COMPLEX AIRS TUDAYS AT 9/8C ON 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;}{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;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Who knew that unrneath all that hip-hop bravado was a burng-wh-sire gay man? AfterElton chatted wh Watson and Fuller about the velopment wh their characters, rponse om fans to the gay storyle and whether the “Taldrick” relatnship is purely physil or more a matter of the heart. 'AE: You often hear about homophobia the mic bs, and that’s clearly reprented here.

AF:I was fully aware of the type of scty that I’d be facg and also the challeng to be a straight man playg a gay character on televisn.

ANDRA FULLER ON PLAYG A GAY BLACK MAN ON NETWORK TELEVISN

That brgs a lot of challeng wh self, but particular portrayg a hip-hop artist, which the hip-hop dtry is so antigay. A lot of the metaphors when they’re referrg to somethg unol or whack, they’ll say, 'It’s gay.

' So bis profsnal sports, hip-hop is probably the most anti-gay atmosphere that a person n be .

So to portray a gay character wh the hip-hop muny, not only is groundbreakg, but ’s ground rattlg as well.