Steamy magazine covers. Million dollar prizes. And now a movie star role.
Reichen Lehmkuhl is taking the world, both gay and straight, by storm. His
chiseled body graced a recent cover of The Advocate, and his new reality
show, E!’s Kill Reality, about the making of a feature film starring
various reality stars who live in a house together, has become a hit.
We recently had the
chance to catch up with Reichen about the new show, as well as being an out gay
reality star and actor in Hollywood.
AfterElton.com: When did you come out of the closet?
Reichen Lehmkuhl: I came out of the closet to
myself when I was 20. I was a Cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy. I told one
friend who, incidentally, told me that he was feeling like he might be gay too.
AE: Was it
difficult for you?
RL: It was liberating to come out to myself. Especially at the Air Force
Academy where everyone is so cookie cutter and the same. I had something that
was different about me.
AE: Is it hard
being an out actor?
RL: It’s tough
when someone tells you, “you’re too straight-acting for this gay role” while
others are telling you, “you can’t be on this show because the audience knows
you’re gay in real life and won’t be able to see you as straight.” If that’s
the case then why did Tom Hanks win an Academy Award for playing a gay guy when
he was actually straight? The audience didn’t have a problem there. It can be
done!
AE: Is it hard
being an actor slash reality star?
RL: Sometimes
a production will not want to cast a reality star for various reasons, but
mostly, being on reality television has opened up more doors for me than I
could have imagined. I’m not complaining.
AE: Tell us about Kill
Reality and what made you participate.
RL: The
Scorned is a movie that I and other Reality Stars made. When E! found out
that Creative Light was making The Scorned, they said, “We want to make
a television show out of the making of this movie…and we want them all to have
to live together while they make the movie”….hence Kill Reality was born!
AE: What's the
best and worst part about the show?
RL: The best part about the show is that I made new friends. The worst part
about the show was fighting the demons of the food tables while filming the
movie.
AE: How do you
think gay men are portrayed on reality TV?
RL: Gay men
on reality television are usually, in my opinion, portrayed as more feminine
and vulgar than gay people really are. None of my gay friends act as prissy and
feminine as, say, Dan Renzi from The Real World. And none certainly would
be in your face enough to call themselves a “fat faggot” as Richard Hatch does
from Survivor.
AE: Do you feel
like the "token" gay guy?
RL: No, I’m
not the token gay guy. By percentage, I provided plenty of “gayness” for the
show. Not that I would have complained if they had some other, preferably hot,
gay guy in the house and on the movie!
AE: Do you talk to
other gay male reality contestants from yours or other shows?
RL: Yes, I
love Will from Big Brother and I’m friends with many of the guys from Boy
Meets Boy. They’re great guys.
AE: What can we
expect from the Kill Reality movie? Do you think people will take it
seriously?
RL: The
Scorned is a good movie. I’ve seen a few cuts. People will take it for what
it is. Many are excited to see their favorite Reality Stars in a movie that
will end up with a sort of cult following. It was a neat idea and it’s going to
be neat to watch.
AE: Who are your
favorite cast mates from the show? Who are your least favorite?
RL: My
favorite cast mates were Jonny Fairplay, Jenna Lewis, Steven Hill, and
Trischelle Cannatella. They are who I hung with the most. I didn’t have a least
favorite person. I liked everyone there in some sort of way.
AE: Are you still
living in the house now or is it done? Where are you guys in production on the
film? What's your character?
RL: We are
wrapped entirely. My character is “Seth,” a surfer-guy with a hot soap-star
girlfriend, Jennifer (Tonya Cooley) who intimidates him. He’s a personal
trainer by profession.
AE: Did you want
there to be another gay reality star in the house? How come reality shows shy
away from gay hook-ups?
RL: Yes! I
wanted another gay reality star in the house. I guess we’re not ready for gay
hook-ups on television yet.
AE: How often are
you hit on by guys in Los Angeles?
RL: I get
lots of requests for dates and most guys are really nice/cool to me when they
ask. I get a lot of marriage proposals by email. Some just ask to rub my feet.
Those are the most tempting to answer. I’m looking for one special guy. Dating
sucks. When I meet him, it will be in the eyes and we’ll know instantly.
AE: Are you dating
anyone? What's the dating scene like for you?
RL: I am
single but have gone on a couple dates. The dating scene is tough. It’s hard to
find someone that just wants to chill with me and rub each other’s feet while
we watch a movie in my house. I live for that stuff.
AE: What kind of a
man are you attracted to personally?
RL: I like a
guy with confidence and who has dreams. If he believes in himself, then he
couldn’t get more attractive in my eyes.
AE: What are your
hobbies these days?
RL: I still
like to take out the boat, fly myself somewhere cool (I’m a pilot), and work
out. Hasn’t changed much.
AE: You and Chip are no longer together, correct? Do you still stay in touch?
Was it difficult being married?
RL: Chip and I do not discuss our
relationship publicly.
AE: How do you
stay involved in gay rights issues?
RL: I am a member of GLAAD and of SLDN, Servicemembers Legal Defense
Network that protects gay people in the military.
AE: What's the
hardest part about being openly gay? What's the best part?
RL: The
hardest part about being openly gay is that guys who are not sure of their
sexuality act strangely or scared around me. The best part about it is knowing
that I’m living the life that God made for me to live. I was created gay for a
reason. We all have to love ourselves for what we are.
AE: Where would
your life be had you not been picked up by the reality television wave?
RL: I would, right now, be a lawyer in lots of school debt. Probably an
aviation attorney.
AE: Would you do
nudity for a film?
RL: I would
show my butt. But I wouldn’t do frontal nudity.
AE: How does it
feel being a gay role model? Do you think you have responsibilities as such?
RL: I’m proud
to represent our community. We have so much hidden potential and love among us
that needs to be brought out in a positive way. I try to make that happen every
day.
AE: What's next
for you?
RL: I’m
putting out a book in 2006 called Here’s What We’ll Say. It’s about all
the lies I and other gay cadets had to tell to survive as gay cadets at your
U.S. Air Force Academy. I’m telling ALL.
AE: Anything else
we should know/you want to say?
RL: Check my MySpace page for all the latest
happenings and updates on me.
