Adamo Ruggiero, Degrassi's gay Marco, comes out publicly as a gay man
Great news from our Friendly Neighborhood to the North: 21-year-old actor Adamo Ruggiero, who is wrapping up a 6-year stint as beloved gay teenager Marco del Rossi on critical and fan fave Degrassi: The Next Generation, has come out as a gay man in a candid interview to a Canadian Internet video site. Echoing the coming out of Wilson Cruz, the US's first gay primetime teen on My So Called Life, Ruggiero decided that after serving as a role model to youths for years as Marco, his going public with his sexuality was a no-brainer. He notes: "I thought, you know, I was learning and I learned and what better way to kind of share my knowledge than right now." Ruggiero also speaks about the parallels between Marco's journey and his own, whether or not he was afraid of being forcibly outed by the gossip press, and much much more in this thoughtful interview. He's also Italian, so he talks with his hands a lot, which is adorable:
We've been big fans of Ruggiero and Marco for a while now, and posted some great pics of him a while back - check 'em out! You can find more of our coverage of Degrassi's gay character over here. Big love to Ruggiero for the courage to speak openly about his sexuality and to continuing to be an inspiration to young gay people by living his life authentically and with pride. Submitted by on Thu, 2008-01-17 08:51. |
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Yeah, Finally!
Congrats Adamo on finally being able to come out. I don't know that there's a person out there that didn't enjoy watching Degrassi who didn't think he was gay in real life. It's just nice to see that he took the time to come out on his own terms and when he felt comfortable doing so.
I'm way too old to still be watching Degrassi but I do. I was a huge fan of the original show when I was in middle school (Joey, Love You Forever!) so when the reunion show turned into a Next Generation I just stuck with it.
I've really enjoyed watching Marco grow into a more fully realized gay man and am glad that the show has never shied away from the difficult process of coming out.
I, too, was a big fan of the
From what I've seen, Degrassi's handling of Marco's coming out was really well-written, with plenty of soapy complications. I really liked, too, that Marco has had a variety of relationship troubles that included dating other guys.
Degrassi has a really dedicated teen audience, I hope that casting directors realize that and we'll be seeing him in more stuff once he leaves Degrassi this year.
Steph
"All The Way With Stephanie Kaye!" Brilliant! I loved how she went from Little House on the Prairie housefrou to slutty stretch tube tops in the girls bathroom each morning.
Back to Marco, I always wanted him to actually date Tom, the other Degrassi gay that was onscreen for all of 2 episodes back in Season 5. Tom was more Marco's speed. Dylan's a tool.
Makes me proud
to be a Canadian. Good for Adamo for coming out, and being part of one of the best TV shows around for an objective and realistic portrayal of teens, and gay teens specifically.
Cheers
JBE
Whoops
This is great
That's so not cheesy!
I Agree on all
your "Gos" but especially your last one! If the Giants get to the Super Bowl and beat the Pats, I will never let Justin Andrews hear the end of it! :). Unlikely to happen though but dreaming is free right!
Cheers
JBE
Ewwwwwwwwwwwww,
Ewwwwwwwwwwwww, sports!
But seriously, I remember reading somewhere on the internet about Degrassi having a gay character, and before I knew it I was hooked on the show, and more specifically on Marco (and Dylan, of course). It's pretty awesome that he came out, because honestly I thought the actor was straight, just like Dylan's actor is straight.
Ha Ha
I love sports, although I am not that good at them. But I also like opera, ABBA and dancing so I have some "gay" credentials (lol)!
I wasn't sure one way or other that he was gay, but he sure is cute (I've always had this weakness for Southern Mediterranean men).
Cheers
JBE
In a weird way Adamo also
In some wierd-ironic kinda way I actually laugh when I look back on it now as I type up this post.
Interesting that Your Dad
would make that link, after all Degrassi has mainly straight characters and only 2 gay ones, it was just timing that he came in at that point. Now if you were staring at the TV with your mouth wide open and an excited look in your eyes, that might have been suspicious!
Cheers
JBE