"American Idiot"'s Declan Bennett is Neither American Nor an Idiot, Just Very Talented

While Green Day’s punk musical American Idiot, which debuted last week on Broadway to a rave review from the New York Times, doesn’t have any gay characters or gay themes, it does feature out singer Declan Bennett as part of the cast.

Bennett might not be a well-known name on American shores, but back in his native UK, the twenty-nine-year old singer/songwriter/performer has been a steady presence in England ever since he got first his break in 1999 singing on a British morning TV show. That appearance led to his joining Brit boy band Point Break. While not a huge success, Point Break did have four UK Top Twenty hits and even found success in Asia.

In 2002, Bennett joined Boy George’s West End show Taboo as Guru Dazzle, a relatively minor part. But Bennett did well enough that he later took over the lead role of Billy, which he played until 2003. By 2006, Declan had landed on American shores where he joined the U.S. tour of Rent for nine months as Roger before later playing the part on Broadway. And now he’s just had his first Broadway opening.

But as if that isn’t enough for one man, Bennett also found the time to record two solo albums and two EPs and has a third full-length album in the works. You're probably exhausted just reading what he's done

AfterElton.com recently caught up with the busy Brit to discuss his career, his long distance relationship and much more!

AE: Are your nerves jittery about opening night for American Idiot?
DB: I don't feel nervous, just a bit giddy. I'm an excited child, really.

AE: Well this isn't your first show. You're a veteran.
DB: Exactly. Although, this is the first show I've opened on Broadway. I've never opened on Broadway before, so that's going to be cool.

AE: Many of our readers won’t be familiar with you or your work. So pretend we're both single and we're out on a blind date. What are the five most interesting things about yourself you'd be sure to bring up to intrigue me.
DB: [laughs] Right. Okay. I'm originally from Coventry, England. I'm not from your country.

AE: I would have guessed that from the accent.
DB: I just had to restate that. I'm a huge fan of music in general. Oh my God! This is really difficult. I won't drink coffee or caffeine, how about that? Oh my word! You're putting me on the spot right now. I wear size 12 U.S. shoes, just for your own personal knowledge. And I find first dates really quite awkward.

AE: Have you had a lot of first dates?
DB: I've had a few. I've had my fair share. I find them quite awkward.

AE: You've been in a boy band, you've been a solo artist, you've starred in a West End production, you've toured in the U.S. in a Broadway production, and now you're opening on Broadway. What kind of career are you trying to carve out for yourself?
DB: Well sometimes I ask myself the same question. [laughs] I find it quite hard to define myself as any one thing. My first creative passion is music, and being a musician and a writer. That’s' what fuels my everyday creative life.

I'm lucky in the sense that I've crossed paths with people who have offered me these really cool jobs, Rent … and when I did Taboo in the West End. It became more about if someone came to me with a project I thought was an interesting, creative project that I would get something personally out of, then I'll absolutely do it, whether it's a West End musical, whether it's in music, whether it be in a film, or any kind of creative endeavor.

I see myself as more of a creator rather than an actor or musician or any one thing. I tend to be all of them at different times.