Adamo Ruggiero opens up, and Marco is the focus of this week's "Degrassi"

Recently out actor Adamo Ruggiero continues his tour of gay media outlets with an interview in Out magazine.

Ruggiero talks about how growing up in Toronto (where there's no paparazzi) made it easier for him to come to terms with his sexual orientation, since he wasn't scrutinized the way many young celebrities are ... but it probably also helped that Degrassi's most devoted fans were kept at bay by an international border:

What’s funny about our show is that in this one particular case it’s the opposite: Americans love this Canadian show, but we don’t. And they are obsessed -- the Customs people tell us whenever kids come through they always ask where the cast lives!

Hm, I didn't realize you could make customs an accessory to your stalking like that.

Ruggiero reveals a sense of humor when it comes to fans debating his sexual orientation before his coming out:

Straight! Can you believe that? People believe what they want to believe, and that happens mostly in America. Here in Canada, we just see human beings for the most part. So, I’m sure me coming out is going to make some waves down south. With the small amount of celebrity I’ve had in my life, knowing that, how can I believe that Britney Spears is pregnant for third time when they think I’m straight?

That just leaves me imagining Ruggiero anonymously leaving a few of those "Oh, please, who didn't know already?" comments I saw in some stories covering his coming out.

He also discusses his future on Degrassi saying he's not sure when he'll leave the series, though it's bound to happen sooner or later as the characters age. I remember that when this season started, this was expected to be the last season for Marco and other characters his age. It sounds like that's been put off for now, which makes me happy since the newer characters on Degrassi have yet to really grab me. Ruggiero also says he'd like to work behind the scenes in the future. Oh, Adamo, don't tell us you'll be depriving us from seeing this adorable visage in the future:

Is that a zipper tie? Everything does come back into style eventually!

That's just a sampler of what he talks about, be sure to check out the full interview.

In a bit of is-it-luck-or-just-good-planning, this week's Degrassi two-parter (appropriately titled "Pride") focuses on Ruggiero's character, Marco. From the looks of the previews, this episode finds Marco facing money trouble because he's been spending so much time with a guy (a new boyfriend?) who lives an expensive lifestyle. His financial situation is desperate enough for him to consider prostituting himself:

I'm feeling a bit mixed on the plot. I mean, this is Degrassi so the show will handle the topic responsibly, but when I saw the preview, my first thought was "Didn't they have a gay character so strapped for cash they sold their body last season when Alex became a stripper?" Is Degrassi getting a bit repetitive with its gay characters?