Evan Ross on Playing "Gay"

Evan Ross continues to impress us with his sensitivity.

In a refreshingly candid interview, the current Hollywood "it" boy talks to the editors of The Advocate on his recent breakout role in HBO's Life Support. (Our review HERE.) Evan played "Amare", a self-destructive gay, HIV positive teenager. The character was not stereotypical or overtly sexual—and Ross appreciated the subtlety.

It was an interesting experience. I was excited about the role. I didn’t want to play it in a way where it would come off like, Wow, you can really tell [he’s gay] from the first time you see him. I just really wanted people to love Amare for who he was—and to have an understanding of what he was going through.

On Amare's relationship with Michael, the boyfriend who was on the "down-low":

Michael didn’t want to act like he was gay in any type of way. He didn’t want any part of that; he just wanted to be with Amare on a sexual level, so after his sister left him, Amare had no one. But Michael did care about him in the end.

Ross was asked the invariable question, vis a vis "what was it like playing a gay character?" Evan's answer is very intriguing because he framed it Evan within the context of young black gay men in the hip-hop gay culture: "It was a whole different side of things I hadn’t seen before. It was interesting and new, and I’m glad I got a chance to experience it. Even with the scene when I’m in the club and I have my hoodie on and I look over at a guy and I give him a look… It was interesting for me as an actor to see his reaction."

Moving along, confirmation of Evan Ross' "it" boy status can be found in the pages of next month's Interview, the holy grail for every young up-and-coming actor or model. In the feature, Evan models Dolce & Gabbana—seen at top—and discusses his role in Pride. Much of interview is about the impact of his father's death. "It kind of set off my acting career. I felt I needed a change." He also reveals his favorite song by his mother, the iconic Miss Diana Ross: "If We Hold On Together."

Life Support will be re-broadcast on Friday March 30 at 6:30P est. It is available 24/7 via HBO on Demand.

Pride can be seen at movie theaters from coast to coast. On their front page, IMDB is linking to Rod 2.0's review of the movie and our coverage of the "bulging" Speedo controversy. Your guess is as good as ours ...

Mr. Ross [Advocate.com]

You May Want to Read ...

Evan Ross in "Life Support" [R20] Nelson George on Evan Ross [R20] Bulging "Pride" [R20] First Look: "Pride" [R20]

Comments

[C. Baptiste-Williams]

if diana does nothing else for the rest of her life... she has done enough with lil evan ross naess.

i felt like a pedophile all the way through Pride.

[albert k.]

Rod, thanks for staying on the Evan Ross watch. I've also been impressed with this young actor. His role in "Life Support" was very unexpected, it certainly shows Evan's versatility. And listen to his responses .... he is so thoughtful.

[greg g]

Evan Ross is a lil baby, I don't even look at him sexually. Okay, I try not to. But he is very bright and already very accomplished. I'm so glad that he took the role in "Life Support."

[B]

Half the time he looks like Michael's son, the other half - see those Interview pics - he looks like Prince's son.

Strange.

[anon]

Evan Ross is becoming my favorite actor. LOVE. HIM.

[Hiram Revels]

It's very easy to dismiss Evan as Hollywood royalty or a poseur. But he is quite accomplished. I'm also an admirer of his sensitivity.

[timothy r lauder]

I'm also becoming an Evan Ross fan. I have no idea why his role in "Life Support" didn't receive more buzz across the black gay blogs, or why it wasn't in Clik. I guess too many black gay men prefer to see melodramatic "Noah" type or gangsta DL thugs as our film and television representations.

[ff]

i felt there wasnt enough Amare in Life Support. I wanted to see more of his character. Maybe that's why Evan didnt get as much notariaty????

Next time you watch LS, catch Jamie Foxx's song during the closing credits. He needs to release that as a single....

[Darryl]

I really don't think Evan Ross is "playing" gay if yall know what i mean,but he's a talented brother I wish him continued success.

[tbag]

Darryl you need to quit........But I know what you mean though and I'm not going there.(O_o)

[d]

Work that IMDB, Rod!

He's looking ready to play Prince in the biopic in those Interview shots.... hmmm/

[justbthat]

evans role in PRIDE was simple but he really worked it.

I was so upset when i had received tickets to a private screening of "life support" here in atl but could not attend because i had to be in baltimore. I did everything but miss my flight to get there just didn't happen.

Hey rod, I love you man... :o) See you soon!

[Monica]

Well i think he is very sexy i want to taste his carmel goodness

[Victoria]

I AM IN LOVE WITH EVAN ROSS HE IS A GREAT ACTOR AND NOBODY ELSE IS ANYTHING LIKE HIM HE IS THE BEST AND IN PDR HE SETS THE WHOLE MOVIE ON FIRE KEEP IT UP I LOVE YOU EVAN

[Big Mike]

To be honest, if not for his mother, I would never have thought to check out Evan. I've been a fan of Diana Ross', since her days with the Supremes, and continue to support her career. That said, he is really a talented actor. I saw him in ATL, which wasn't a great movie but a good one, Pride and Life Line, in which he really came through. I was surprised, at how commited he was in Life Line. He was totally believable in Life Line, and if things go well, should have a lasting career. I'm slow to say, I'm a fan, but do enjoy, seeing him on screen. Of the young actors, he's one of the best, and like his mother, has that certain some thing, that makes a star.

[Big Mike]

It's me again, and in my previous post on Evan, I wrote Life Line instead of Life Support, the movie in which he really showed his acting abilities. "I'm Only Human Of Flesh And Blood," you know the rest. Again, if things go well, he should have a lasting career.

[tesia]

i dont care if evan plays gay,bi, straight or wateva he is still the finest sexiest!!DAMN

[titi]

Well i dnt care wat kno body sai evan is my husband and i kno he aint gay and he my favorite actor so......

[kamesha]

i think heis so sweeet loking to me he look so go in ATL in i don't thinkhe is gay to me he to cute to be gay.

[jaitheboss]

Well, I guess now everyone knows why I thing Diana Ross is the world's greatest MOM, just look at her children and what they've become. The Lady is Awesome! Evan is the product of his environment, the one that she has provided for him. KUDOS TO EVAN ROSS AND HIS MOM "MISS ROSS"

[Kimmy T]

Evan Ross is very handsome and soooooo cute. Miss Ross you should be commended for your hard work, it is easily shown through your son. Well, I think he is a great actor and he will the greatest in years to come.It's cute that we are the same age in the same month.Hotttt!!! ain't it. So continue with your success.

[stephanie]

I DONT GIVE A DAMN IF HE IS GAY OR NOT ALL I KNOW IS THAT HE IS SOOOO HOTTTT!!! AND SUPER SEXY>>>AND CUTE AS HELL!!!!!!!LOVE U BABY>>>

[Alexis Avila]

I think he is ssssuuuuuppppeeeerrr sexy. He is the 2 cutes person I think of. He is the cutest person ever!!!!!!

[Jenny]

He is so cute!!!!! I loved it when he was in ATL. But right now with the fro he looks really gay and ugly. He should really cut his hair. Rumor is that evan is dating lindsay lohan. that crack ass whore.

[KIANA]

HE IS SO FINE MAN