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Lucas Grabeel Doesn't Know If He Would Play Ryan in 'High School' Now for This Reason

Lucas Grabeel is opening up about playing Ryan in High School Musical.

Just a few days ago, director Kenny Ortega revealed in a new interview that the 35-year-old actor’s character was gay after years of speculation.

Now, Lucas is looking back on his role, saying that if the movie was made today, he wouldn’t want to play Ryan because he would want a gay actor to play the role. High School Musical was released back in 2006.

“There’s so many amazingly talented gay actors that could do it as well, so if High School Musical was made today – I don’t know if I would play Ryan,” Lucas shared with TMZ. “I would love to, but the last thing I want to do is take an opportunity away from other people.”

Lucas continued: “As a straight white man, I know that even without trying, I have taken opportunities away from other people.”

Lucas went on to recall talking to Kenny about Ryan where Kenny said that he didn’t think Disney was “ready” to have an openly gay character.

‘I came up to Kenny one day and was like, ‘Hey, so can we talk about the character for a second? Ryan’s gay, right?’” Lucas recalled. “He was like, ‘Well, I mean, it’s a touchy subject sometimes with children’s programming – I’m not sure if Disney is ready now for that kind of thing. I absolutely agree that he is and I think we have an opportunity here to showcase a real person.’”

Lucas also shared that at the time the movie was released back in 2006, gay people weren’t represented with multi-faceted characters.

“[Coming out] is something that a lot of kids go through and don’t often see portrayed on television,” Lucas said. “At that time it was either [the gay characters were] extremely flamboyant or very closeted and kind of shut off.”

“We need to start educating everyone at the youngest age possible and that’s why it will fall into the hands of Disney who create so much great programming for the developing minds of our future country,” Lucas added. “We in the film industry have a duty to educate as well as entertain.”

'High School Musical' Director Confirms Character Ryan Evans Is Gay

High School Musical director Kenny Ortega confirmed that Ryan Evans, the character played by Lucas Grabeel, is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

In an interview with Variety, Kenny was asked, “Do you think there’s a queer aesthetic that runs through all your movies?”

Kenny said, “Yeah, for sure. I do, because that’s who I am. I put a lot of who I am into my work. I mean, really all the way back from the earliest work that I’ve done, even as a choreographer in film and television. And I think, yeah, that it’s just there, and whether it’s screaming at you, or whether it’s just sort of quietly there, it’s there.”

He added, “The character of Ryan [played by Lucas] in High School Musical, Sharpay’s twin brother, we decided he’d probably going to come out in college. It was less about coming out and just more about letting his true colors come forward.”

Variety then asked, “Would it have been possible when you made “High School Musical” to have had Ryan be openly gay?”

“I have to be honest with you. I didn’t think at the time — and Disney is the most progressive group of people I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I was concerned because it was family and kids, that Disney might not be ready to cross that line and move into that territory yet. So, I just took it upon myself to make choices that I felt that those who were watching would grab. They would see it, they would feel it, they would know it and they would identify with it. And that is what happened.”

Find out who took part in the High School Musical reunion recently!

Lucas Grabeel Photo Gallery

Zac Efron Didn't Sing with the 'High School Musical' Cast, But He Joined Them for a TV Reunion!

The cast of High School Musical reunited for a fun performance of “We’re All in This Together” during the Disney Family Singalong special and Zac Efron was even involved!

Zac is supposedly quarantined in the “middle of nowhere” with poor WiFi, but he sent in a grainy video that served as an introduction to the performance.

Director Kenny Ortega brought together Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman, and Corbin Bleu, as well as the casts of other Disney Channel movies and productions, for a great performance.

“Hi everyone, I hope that you’re safe and that you’re healthy and that you’re doing as well as possible during these unprecedented times. It’s my greatest pleasure to introduce a musical performance by some of my oldest friends, and some new ones. I hope that you enjoy, and remember, we’re all in this together,” Zac said. He unfortunately didn’t sing with the cast, but you can watch the performance below!

Original 'High School Musical' Cast Are Reuniting For Disney Family Singalong - Including Zac Efron!

The cast of High School Musical is getting back together again for the upcoming Disney Family Singalong.

Kenny Ortega opened up to Deadline about the Wildcat reunion which will include Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel and Zac Efron, who will appear in a video message during the special.

“I wanted to find something I can do to participate and it was so great to be given the call and invited by ABC to join,” Kenny shared. “It gave me a purpose to get up every morning. I feel really good that we have an opportunity to do something like this — it’s good medicine.”

He added about Zac‘s participation: “We couldn’t reach Zac until late but when we did, he immediately jumped in, of course. Everyone we reached out to was quick — and you’ll see it in their spirit and the way they come together from their homes. They recognize this is an opportunity to strengthen spirits for those joining us for the broadcast.”

The Wildcats are expected to be performing their signature song, “We’re All In this Together” on the program.

The Disney Family Singalong is slated to air on Thursday, April 16 at 8/7c on ABC.

If you missed it, Vanessa, Ashley, Monique, Lucas and Corbin just reunited on Zoom over the weekend!

Original 'High School Musical' Stars Reunite for Video Call!

The High School Musical OGs got together for a group video chat!

Cast members Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel, Ashley Tisdale, director Kenny Ortega, and more all had a virtual reunion from their own homes while practicing social distancing amid the current coronavirus pandemic.

“Guess who’s back…” Vanessa captioned the screenshot below on Instagram, while Monique added along with the same shot, “Together….together…..🎹😉.”

Noticeably missing was their co-star Zac Efron.

Check it out below!

ICYMI, the cast of Victorious also just had a virtual reunion for the show’s 10th anniversary.

Click inside to see Monique’s post…More Here! »

Lucas Grabeel Returns to 'High School Musical' as Himself for Disney+ Series!

It has been over a decade since Lucas Grabeel played Ryan Evans in the final High School Musical movie and now he’s returning to that universe!

The 35-year-old actor is making a cameo as HIMSELF in the new Disney+ show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. In the episode, he plays a version of himself and performs a fantasy musical number with Miss Jenn, played by Broadway star Kate Reinders.

“I had a blast with these peeps! @hsmtmtseries My EPISODE IS LIVE NOW! @disneyplus Seriously, these kids are the freaking best. If you were an HSM fan, watch this show!” Lucas wrote on Instagram.

“He’s a good mixture of Ryan and Lucas,” Lucas told TV Line about his role. “And they let me add a couple things of my own, including a nod to ‘We’re All in This Together.’ I also got to wear one of Ryan’s old hats while running around an auditorium, singing and dancing — which I haven’t done in a long time.”

Check out the music video now and be sure to catch the whole episode, now streaming on Disney+!


Kate Reinders – Role of a Lifetime (HSMTMTS | Disney+) ft. Lucas Grabeel
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Darren Criss, Matthew Morrison, & More 'Glee' Stars Unite on Halloween!

There was a Glee reunion on Halloween!

Matthew Morrison and Darren Criss stepped out to celebrate the holiday with manager Eric Podwall at his annual party on Thursday (October 31) at the Peppermint Club in West Hollywood, Calif.

Darren, who dressed as a dalmatian alongside his wife Mia as Cruella DeVil, performed at the event. Other Glee members in attendance included Chris Colfer and Chord Overstreet (with his brother Nash).

Former NSYNC band members JC Chasez and Lance Bass were both there. JC was joined by longtime love Kathryn Smith for a Mickey and Minnie couple’s costume. Lance, who was joined by husband Michael Turchin, dressed up as JoJo Siwa.

More stars in attendance included Zelda Williams, Carter Jenkins with girlfriend Sierra Swartz, Lucas Grabeel, Ella Purnell, Rob Raco, Tyler Hoechlin, Joseph Mazzello, and more. The event was presented by Maker’s Mark.

30+ pictures inside of celebs at the Halloween party… More Here! »

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