Obsession star Michael Johnston was scared to come out after gay Teen Wolf role
Actor Michael Johnston reflects on the ‘terrifying’ experience of playing a gay character in Teen Wolf. (Barry Brecheisen/Getty)
Michael Johnston, star of Obsession, said it was “terrifying” to come out while playing a queer role in Teen Wolf.
The 30-year-old actor has reflected on having a breakout role as Corey Bryant, a gay high schooler, in the supernatural drama Teen Wolf. From 2015, Bryan’s character was in a relationship with Mason Hewitt (Khylin Rhambo).
Simultaneously, Johnston was coming to terms with his own sexuality. “Back then, it was terrifying because I sort of came out to myself and then others around me during that time,” he told Cosmopolitan.
“Like, I was just in complete and utter denial – you know, I grew up in the South. So it was really scary.
“I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna come out to L.A., and then all of a sudden I have [Teen Wolf],” Johnston said of his casting.
At the time, he remembers telling his family that the queerness he was portraying was not a reflection on himself. “I’m like, ‘No, no way! I would never!’” Johnston said. “And then I had that crazy aunt who’s like, ‘It’s gonna poison you.’ And now she’s like, ‘Aha! See!’ I’m just like, oh my god.”
‘I’m glad I’m not heterosexual’
However, looking back on the show now, it’s rewarding to see how LGBTQ+ fans loved his characters’ relationship.
“At the time, playing that role in Teen Wolf, I had no idea how many wonderful messages I would get from people saying, ‘Just being you and just being brave and just being yourself meant so much to me.’ And that was amazing,” Johnston shared.
Johnston is back in the spotlight with Obsession, one of this year’s most talked-about films. In the supernatural horror film, he plays a straight male named Bear. The man’s life becomes nightmarish when he wishes his crush would fall in love with him.
“Playing Bear, playing a straight role, I don’t know, for me, my philosophy is the character’s sexuality is just another part of who they are,” Johnston noted.
“But that being said, I’ve always said I’m really looking forward to an intentional queer role.”
Reflecting on what his Obsession character taught him, Johnston hilariously responded: “Just that I’m glad I’m not heterosexual.”
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