NEWSZac Efron Finds Gay Fanbase "Very Flattering" Admits to Having "Gay Idols"
Sept. 10 2012, Published 8:46 a.m. ET
Zac Efron might be a pretty boy with clear blue eyes and a love for musical theater, but the High School Musical ex-pat swears he's straight — with a strong appreciation for the gay community.
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"After High School Musical and Hairspray, I've always felt embraced by the gay community, and I feel incredibly grateful and honored," he told the October issue of The Advocate, adding how "flattering" he finds the attention.
"I think the gay audience related to my character Troy, because it really was a story of embracing who you are, no matter how different you might be, and not being afraid to show it," he continued. "That's a universal theme for everyone, but it specifically resonated with the gay community, and I felt very proud of that."
The Paperboy actor remembers his time as a young theater kid and how being homosexual was never a taboo in his social circles.
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"Being gay was just another way you can be. I never really had time to think about it or have any preconceived notions. I don't judge anyone and I never have," he offered."I might've been less aware of it back then, but without question I had gay role models."
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Meanwhile, the actor is absolutely pro-gay marriage and it doesn't bother him a bit that some factions in Hollywood think he might have an attraction to other men himself.
"I don't like to live in fear about things like rumors and backlash to begin with — that's the way I was raised," he added. "But I just can't see what's so wrong about being gay."
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