AE: I understand you were picked because of an audition tape you sent for season one.
DW: Yeah
AE: The show has done a good job being diverse in the past, was Parthenon being gay part of the reason you were selected? How did that all come into play in the audition process?
DW: Actually, in the audition process I never mentioned that I was gay. That might have come across on the tape, but I never specifically mentioned it. I did audition for season one — I made a whole tape and I was very excited about it and I never heard even, basically, a 'no' about it. So I was a little bit disappointed.
But I watched season one, loved it and so I created another superhero, one a little bit closer to myself to audition for season two and then before I could even audition, they actually called me up said that they saw my tape, really liked me and wanted to push me to the next level. I never really mentioned I was gay until, actually, the LA audition.
AE: So after they called you, your audition went through a similar process as anyone who sent in a tape for season two?
DW: Oh, definitely. I had to fill out all the paperwork all over again — which was a lot of paperwork. And then I had to wait a couple weeks and then they told me I made it to the semi-finals. And then I had to fill out a bunch more paperwork — probably 27 pages of it. Then they flew me to LA and then I did the interview with Stan Lee where you stand in the big circle that glows — very entertaining. And then a couple weeks later they told me I made it on the show.
AE: Does Parthenon have a Steve Trevor or a Midnighter in his life? If so, what kind of dynamic do they have? Is it a "Lois gets into the most interesting trouble" type of deal or is it a Hulkling and Wiccan type of partnership?
DW: He doesn't really have a partner, per se, in the comic books. He does have somebody he's semi-seeing I wrote into it. He's kind of a good friend that always travels around with him. That's how that works. Personally, I do have a partner and we've been together for almost two years.
AE: It sounds like Parthenon has the Steve Trevor relationship people want now.
DW: [Laughs] A little bit like that — a little bit freer.
AE: What does Parthenon do for a living when he's just Dan? What does he do for fun?
DW: When he's just me, per se? Is that like me personally or me as my superhero?
AE: I was thinking about Parthenon's secret identity ...
DW: Ah, fabulous. Parthenon's secret identity, when he's at home — he does live in a big city — he likes to go out with his friends and he's comfortable doing the socialite stuff, as well. Because his parents are kind of wealthy but not really. So he's at least able to do things like that — lots of museums and art galleries. Things like that, he's very creative and based a little bit like myself that way.
AE: Is he a lot like Dan in real life, then?
DW: I think he's a lot like me. We're both very creative and have a knack for solving problems and creating things out of nothing and we're both very artistic.
AE: What message do you want viewers to come away from Who Wants to Be a Superhero with?
DW: I think “Justice for all” and “It doesn't really matter” is the quote I gave them. I didn't want to be known as “the gay superhero.” I wanted to be known as the superhero who is gay, because I think there's actually a big difference. I didn't want it to be the focus of it, like “Oh, he's the gay one, he's the gay one.” I'd rather be like “Hey, look at the superhero I am” and “Oh, by the way, I just happen to be gay.” I kinda want to stress more that that sort of thing.
AE: Kind of like the difference between Northstar and Apollo or Midnighter?
DW: I guess. Yeah, exactly
AE: How did you get along with the other heroes? Was your being gay ever an issue?
DW: It was not an issue. At all. It was wonderful. All the other heroes are fantastic. If anything, I think it helped me get close to them all. We had a lot in common and it was wonderful. I had no trouble on the show whatsoever.
AE: What's your take on your rival superheroes? Besides you, who should we be watching? Is there someone who's a lot of fun? Or anybody who needs their costume redesigned to make use of tighter spandex?
DW: There's a couple of superheroes you should be watching out for. One is Ms. Limelight. She is very fun and entertaining I think viewers are going to really like her. You might have to actually watch the show and probably play it back at a slower speed. I think I talk fast, but she blows me out of the water. I'm like, “Whoa.” You've got to really pay attention to what she's saying. And other people who might need their costume redesigned … there might be a few — have you seen the pictures yet?
AE: Yes.
DW: Yes. I think Mindset probably got the raw end of the deal on that one. The original costume was so good, his new costume, ugh. If I got to re-design anything, I'd do that. Because, actually, I used to teach fashion design at one point so that actually helped me create my costume as well. I know how to sew and all that kind of thing. I would re-design his costume. His was so cool, made out of metal and then they put him in spandex. That's the costume I'd redesign.
