Chris Carmack Talks About His Character Coming Out On "Nashville"
Chris Carmack who plays country star Will Lexington on Nashville, chatted with the Huffington Post about the importance of his character's coming out last night in the Season 3 finale.
In the episode, Will is freaking out because a tabloid published photographs of his romantic getaway with new beau, Kevin (Kyle Dean Massey).
He plans to publicly deny being gay—even though it threatens his relationship with Kevin, who says he didn't want to “go back into the closet” every time a rumor surfaced.
Ultimately, though, the truth—and Will—came out during a big press conference, and Will told Kevin he loved him.
So now what?
Carmack, who first caught our eye as Luke Ward on The O.C., says he wants Will "to be out and happy and still a huge country star and people loving him for who he is."
"I want him to make some decisions that are going to help him fulfill his life," he added.
Will's journey reflects real life: In November, country singers Ty Herndon and Billy Gillman both came out publicly within days of each other.
Carmack says Will's slow progress on his sexuality reflects reality, too.
I get a lot of tweets and comments from people about how, ‘Will should just come out already! It’s 2015! Audiences aren’t what they used to be! The United States is progressing!’
And I understand where they’re coming from because sometimes I feel that way too, but at the same time... he’s rolling the dice of his entire career. Historically, those things have not gone over well with country audiences.
So there’s a discrepancy between what we as the viewers, fans and as sympathizers want Will to do, and what Will should do for himself."
The actor sees the importance in portraying an out character in a country-music show: "This is the first role I’ve ever played that I really do feel that I have a responsibility in the playing of it—to get it right."
Bravo to both Chris Carmack and Nashville for seeing this storyline through. We hope it's just the beginning of Will's story, though, and not the end.
Carmack's first EP, Pieces of You, is out this summer. His debut single "Being Alone" is out now on iTunes.
