When I was writing these three interviews – (hopefully only) the first three in a series I hope to do with most of the main cast members of the hit cable series/gay supernatural soap, “Dante’s Cove” – I tried to think, based on my conversations with these amazing guys, of just one word that summed each man up to me … again, solely based on the brief conversation I had with each.
It was easy .
For Gabriel Romero, it was “passion”;
Jon Fleming easily brought “charisma” to mind;
And for Gregory Michael, “charm” was the word that seemed to fit best.
Each of these men were brilliant to talk to – generous with their time and thoughts, open in discussing their lives and careers and what it is like to play gay (even if, in real life, they aren’t), and I have to say that these were three of the best conversations I’ve ever had in my life.
If you haven’t seen “Dante’s Cove” yet, or even know of the show, please go to www.dantescove.com, or check out the show’s MySpace page at www.myspace.com/dantescove. And if you have NOT seen the show, by all means it's easy to catch up - season one was recently released on DVD!
Meanwhile, thanks and God Bless, gentlemen; I hope I did you justice.
Don
GABRIEL ROMERO: “passion”
Speak with Gabriel Romero, and that feeling inside you is the equivalent of drinking a huge mug of hot chocolate on a frozen February night – the warmth flows from the man like lava, probably heightened by (but by no means entirely because of) that liquid-gold accent, courtesy of Mexico, that could melt the Grinch’s heart faster than a group of singing Whos down in Whoville..
Greatly inspired by his mother – who took him to concerts and the opera as a young boy, when Gabriel’s father and two older brothers would refuse to go – young Gabriel learned a love for the arts that had him playing the piano at age six. After high school and a brief stint in educational TV, Gabriel joined the Mexican touring company of the hit Broadway show “Barnum” – deciding this was what he wanted his life’s work to be.
A move to L.A. lead a casting director friend to suggest Gabriel audition for a character that would change the young man’s life; Gabriel’s dark good looks and dramatic acting chops landed him the role of Dr. Fernando Salazar in the Spanish-language series “Los Beltran” – a role that, when the show hit the air, drew Romero not only rave notices for his portrayal of the Fernando … but also an unheard-of amount of attention from the press, because Fernando was an openly gay man on the show.
“They emphasized the gay angle over everything else,” Romero recalls. “Everywhere, someone was asking me ‘Are YOU gay?’ or ‘What is YOUR sexual preference?’ It would make me very angry; I was, like, if I was playing a homicidal maniac, would you ask me if I killed people in real life? It’s a character!” But even with all the other attention the show got, the gay rumors and such about Romero’s personal life – so he at last addressed the issue point blank, telling interviewers what he believes to this day:
“I’m Latino – I’m sexual! I like both men and women. (Chuckles) If I can have them both at the same time, it’s even better! Talking about sex in the Latino community is just something we don’t do – but we need to.”
One can almost hear the “add friend requests” on Gabriel’s MySpace page escalating, as readers read that above quote.
A meeting with an executive producer of “Dante’s Cove” – to discuss bringing gay mystery novelist Michael Nava’s books to the screen, with Romero starring – led Gabriel to read for a small recurring role on the new show. But when Romero showed up and they knew they wanted him for the series – he was surprised to find himself being offered the much larger role of Marco Laveau on the spot. Romero was more than happy to step into the bigger shoes, and describes his character with real affection in his voice:
“Marco is a fierce businessman, but also fiercely compassionate … a guide, with real moral compassion, he is wise beyond his years. He knows (and he Romero hesitates – not wanting to give too much away) … he knows what’s going on in Dante’s Cove, but hasn’t let it out yet. He’s really an interesting man to play.” Romero is happy that fan reaction to Marco has been positive – “They think he’s very stern, but they love him” – and (for those of you who still might not have seen it yet, at the time down the road when you are reading this article), Romero guardedly also mentions that he is very pleased to that more of Marco is soon revealed on the show – emotionally and physically – in a “steamy sexy scene everyone will be turned on by.”
Indeed, it seems that Marco Laveau will be revealing a
Outside the show, Romero keeps busy; he does a ton of hosting, has been in many commercials, and also lends those golden vocals to a lot of Spanish-language voice-over work. His mastery of accents (something that almost got him into trouble with “Lost Beltran” because he was hired for his “Sicilian” accent, only to have the director blow up at him when he heard him speaking in his natural Mexican dialect) keep him working, as well – as does his love for the Latino community and doing whatever he can to pay back the love his people have shown him, particularly by hosting “The Secrets of Success” all over Latin America.
But it’s the classics Gabriel Romero invariably goes back to – when asked what kinds of roles he’d most like to play, Romero is quick to name three of the biggies: Hamlet, Dracula, and Oedipus Rex.
“Roles I enjoy are the ones that are psychologically intricate,” he says passionately. “Where I have to go deep to find the character’s flaws or deepest issues; emotionally intricate (roles).” A love to such characters is the biggest reason Romero still works toward – and longs for – the day when he brings Henry Rios – the gay detective created by writer Michael Nava – to the big or small screen. This love for characters with great depth and range shows in Romero’s choices of favorite actors: his own decision to go into the business was greatly influenced by Sir Laurence Olivier and the late Raul Julia – though he also readily includes Jeremy Irons, Sean Penn (“It would be incredible to work with him; he has such great range.”), Charlize Theron, and Cate Blanchett as actors he’s love to share screen time with.
In his personal life, the 38-year-old Romero is single but all too willing to settle down with the right person, if they have the right qualities …
“Number one is creativity; I need someone creative. Hopefully an artist, too – because if they’re not creative or passionate about art, they won’t understand my lifestyle. I would also want to co-create something with this person.
“Second is spirituality; I’m very spiritual. I want someone at peace with themselves and at peace with the world. I meditate – I’ve studied Tantra, and it’s amazing energy. If someone can’t seduce me on that level … I’ll never fall in love.”
But lest things get too serious, Romero is quick to note that a sense of humor is a must, as well: “If they can’t laugh at themselves, and make me laugh, then I’m not sure how long it will last.”
What does seem destined to last is the spiritual growth of Gabriel Romero. He is studying hypnotherapy to strengthen what he feels is a natural tie he has to the spirit world; when asked where he wants to be in five years, he cites a travel show geared toward spiritual tours as something he’d most like to do (indeed, if you check the photos on Gabriel’s MySpace page, you’ll see that such travels are already dear to his heart). His goal is to help people with what he’s able to do, and learn – and Romero does this on a daily basis as well, by lending his time and attention to causes like the AIDS Walk, as well as to BIENESTAR (www.bienestar.org), a free health service organizations geared toward the Latino community in
Romero is tireless in his devotion to people, and reaching out to them – which also extends to his fans. “That’s who validates my work,” he replies, when asked. “I get emails from people across the world … a young Latino sent me an email, saying he was gay, young, and scared – but from seeing my work, seeing Marco, he told me ‘I’m a little stronger now; you gave me hope.’ I am in this business to reach out to people; (I want to say) if you believe in yourself you can do it – if you can’t, you won’t.”
And indeed, the sensitive but passionate, handsome and humble little boy from Mexico – who loved theater and the opera and music, and grew up to be a television star – can be summed up in his own words, when asked what he hopes to be remembered for 100 years from now:
“I want people to say … ‘he inspired me – to be creative; to reach higher; to explore my spirituality.’ Inspiration. That’s what I hope to be remembered for.”
And with his views on life, love and taking care of others, Gabriel should easily reach that goal.
You can reach Gabriel at his official website (www.gabrielromero.com, and he does check his own mail, as well as responds to it), or via his MySpace page (www.myspace.com/mayangod). Please remember to check Gabriel's travel photos there, as well.
JON FLEMING: “charisma”
You talk to Jon Fleming for three minutes, and you might as well be sitting in some sports bar, nursing a beer with “Monday Night Football” playing on a big screen in the back of a room packed full of men yelling back at the TV. That is how fast the guy makes you feel like a part of his world – like a buddy. It’s a rare trait in a human being, let alone in an actor whose looks should warrant about ten times the ego this guy has. But none of that is in the guy; Jon Fleming is just charismatic as hell to talk to, and damn it’s all real.
Much of the credit for that goes to the guy’s parents and background; a boy from the
“I went to
And in the beginning of Jon’s 2-1/2 year stint in
Karma also reared its head, as it usually does, when Jon’s first professional role (other than a Japanese music video he appeared in, while still in NYC) was a small day player part in the hit NBC soap opera “Passions”. Back in Wisconsin, Jon had often made fun of the show, which had been a favorite of his mother’s – but now, much to her delight, it was his introduction to life as a professional (if shirtless) actor … a part only five li
nes long, but one that made a HUGE impact on Jon’s biggest fan - Mom.
Other small, beefcake kind of roles led the struggling, studying actor to a shirt-removing role he found himself dying to play – that of Russell on the smash TV show “Will & Grace”. Jon loved the experience:
“Well, it was memorable because it was ‘Will & Grace’ – it was, like, the show! But also – well, if you are on stage, you can give the deepest performance (of your life) … and no attention. But you take your shirt off on a show like ‘Will & Grace’ – you get LOTS of attention!” Indeed, even Jon’s father made sure to catch his son’s first appearance as Russell from a crowded sports bar, packed with teaching buddies after a night of parent-teacher conferences. Jon made four appearances as Russell during the show’s run, and credits his exposure there (no pun intended) for getting him attention that would lead him to a role that would challenge him as an actor like no other.
Jon’s manager got him an audition for a week-long guest stint on the second season of “Dante’s Cove”. Jon landed the small role, but just before flying over to do the shoot, he received a call from director Sam Irvin, who informed him that the character of Adam had to be replaced for season two … and did he want the role? Jon jumped at the chance, and now – having settled into the role – Jon told me his vision of who Adam is, and why he enjoys playing him:
“Adam is a trust fund brat. Most of the other people on Dante’s Cove have jobs, but Adam’s parents pay for everything. He’s not the friendliest guy … has a big chip on his shoulder. He’s also into “saint” – is in fact addicted to the locally-produced drug.” Jon goes on to say he sees Adam as a “troubled person with a lot of secrets; not an open person. In the second season he and Ambrosius (played by William Gregory Lee, who this interviewer is also hoping to speak with soon for this series) become buddies because Ambrosius introduced him to saint … but Adam’s a cold, troubled kid.” When pressed Adam’s sexuality, Jon replies, “He identifies himself as straight – when it’s fun and flings he’s into women … but he’s got a secret; he’s different on the inside. Straight with a secret.” Fleming hesitates to speak more about it, saying a big reveal is coming up that he can’t talk about – but it’s definite when he speaks about Adam that he’s given a lot of thought to the character, which shows in Jon’s layered, textured performance when playing him.
Even with all his faults, the public reaction to Adam has been positive; taking over a character that another actor created isn’t easy, but in promotional functions attended by the show’s cast, Jon insists that he’s thrilled with the fans’ supportive reaction to him in the role. “The character has a lot more layers than just playing beefcake; he’s a very dark character with a very troubled past. I had to work very hard with Howard Fine (Jon’s acting coach), who really ‘gets’ me, to find the character. I owe a lot to Howard.”
Public reaction is one thing, however – but what about private? Not to bust any bubbles here, but this athlete/actor/all around great guy is not only straight – but taken. Even so, it’s one thing to ask a straight jock, seen as a model of testosterone and masculinity in former roles, how he feels “playing gay” on TV … but how does the girlfriend handle it?
The answer shows you the lady is as together as her boyfriend:
“My girlfriend would rather have me kissing guys than girls on-screen,” he says frankly. “That way, she knows I won’t wander. ‘Cause I’ve seen it, you know how it works – two people play a love scene, and sometimes that carries on off-screen, as well. (For me) acting is about transference; it’s a good challenge. Whether it’s a guy or a girl in front of me, it’s about going to that place of how you feel.” He admits that he thought, going into the role, that being straight might have made it more difficult for the huge gay fanbase of “Dante’s Cove” to accept him – when, in fact, the reaction has been exactly the opposite. “Everyone’s been very respectful – even complimentary.”
The other big project in Jon’s career right now comes when he flies back to
Like Adam, it’s another role he’s proud to have sunk his acting teeth into. “I love playing the villain. I think I’m very friendly and open in real life … but even with Adam, playing gay, or playing rich and spoiled – something so far from me – I love having to reach within myself to find the character. I would like to do action stuff, as well, but I love dark characters.”
When asked who inspired his own career and acting influences, Fleming admits to being a huge Sylvester Stallone fan growing up – “I loved the Rocky movies” – but hands down the guy loved “Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line. In that movie, he was Johnny Cash. Also Russell Crowe –
But amidst all this darkness and troubled waters and characters with hidden pasts and even deeper secrets – Jon Fleming never gets lost in that mindset himself. He’s an extremely positive, upbeat and friendly hunk with a brain – and also a silly side. When asked what he thinks most fans probably don’t know about him – and should – the guy’s answer was typical of the man behind all those dark characterizations:
“I’m a goofball. Check out my MySpace page, the behind-the-scenes clips from the show, to see the real me. I’m always usually the stud or the dark guy on screen – but in reality I am really goofy. Fun. NOT the “
The guy is really one charismatic enigma – and a true actor who works hard at honing his talent by continuing to try and play against type, against himself. When asked about his future, Jon seems to only wish to continue enjoying the ride he’s grown to love so much …
“Five years from now? My goal is to keep working, to get challenging projects. You know, ‘Dante’s’ has been such a blessing; on-set we’re all just like a family, everyone very supportive of each other. I would love more of that. I would also love to try different roles – play the shy guy, or maybe the nerd; anything to challenge myself. Working, meeting new people, traveling …”
And he also wants to get more involved in giving back to those less fortunate; Jon is contributing with his TV family in the AIDS Walk, and also participates in helping to support the Special Olympics, which his father referees for. Jon also is very much into giving back to (and getting in touch with) his fans; though he doesn’t yet have an official website for his life and career, Fleming not only is okay with fans writing him at his MySpace page – he encourages it. “I enjoy when fans write me at my MySpace page because it gives me a chance to see what they’re like, too. They can see the real me, but I can also see them. Anyone can write me; I read them all. Fans are what make the show stay – what keeps me working.”
And this bright, energetic and hardworking young actor seems determined to keep working, for a long, long time. But what, a hundred years from now, does he want to be remembered for most?
“I want to be remembered as someone who proved that if you have something you want to do, you can make it happen – if you do the work, and believe in yourself. That’s my work ethic. (Pause) Also, as someone who always had a smile on his face, and treated everyone like his best friend – was open with everyone.
“I love meeting everybody; learning about them, no matter what they do. I got that from my grandfather on my mom’s side.”
Typical of Jon Fleming, it all comes back ‘round to family. And ya wouldn’t have it any other way.
You can reach Jon at his MySpace page - www.myspace.com/jonfleming3 - and don’t forget to look at the behind-the-scenes videos! Jon loves to hear from his fans, and reads all messages personally.
GREGORY MICHAEL: “charm”
Gregory Michael’s earliest memory of being in the spotlight was when he was about 3 years old, when he attended a concert with his mother and danced so energetically in the audience … they put this little kid onto the stage to strut his stuff.
Michael hasn’t looked back since. With a mother who was a professional singer, complete with her own local television show, for young Gregory show business was just a part of growing up. In school, the young Michael excelled in both theater and oratory/forensics (Speech & Debate) club, naturally leading him to performing in community theater, as well as in productions for the well-known Walnut Street Theatre in Philly. After a year and a half at Pennsylvania State University, however, Michael had worked up both his nerve and ambition enough to move to New York City – where he soon landed a job with the one boss he’d dreamed most of having throughout his childhood – Mickey Mouse.
Disney World in Florida was a dream job for Gregory, as it was there the young, handsome actor/street performer – who worked first for Disney World, then at Universal Studios Florida – branched out into developing his singing and dancing talents, as well. He turned to writing music at this time, and began to meet and network with some very big names in the recording industry. Excited at last that his singing career was seemingly about to get off the ground … as it happens in this business, Gregory found himself suddenly sidetracked, ending up back in NYC instead, when he landed a job that would turn his career in a whole new direction. Suddenly, the budding theater nut and singer was about to become a soap opera hunk – on none other than one of the longest-running shows in the history of daytime TV, “As the World Turns”.
As originally written, the character of Clark Watson consisted of no back-story for Gregory to focus on, and the guy only had 2 lines in 2 episodes of the series. But both the producers and fans of the show were so taken with Gregory’s good, all-American boy looks and his talent at bringing such a small role to life, the writers of the show built the role up just for him – and Gregory found himself turning 2 days into a 7-month stint on the series. He still credits the show with being a “boot camp for actors” that taught him a great deal about learning lines fast and keeping on top of a character. The daily grind of putting episodes on tape and learning entire pages of dialogue in a few hours’ time, Gregory feels, is possibly one of the best training grounds any young actor can have.
Gregory also credits much of this early-on success to his manager, Scott Kreindler, whom Gregory met while still in
After “As the World Turns” Gregory decided the move to Los Angeles was necessary, in order to have a shot at more opportunities to work as an actor – when an audition for the pilot of a new cable TV series called “Dante’s Cove” found Gregory landing the part of Toby. Excited at the opportunity to co-star in a new and experimental show, Gregory flew down to shoot the pilot … where he learned that he actually had a choice; he could choose to play Toby – or the part of Kevin Archer was also open, if he wanted it. The producers were that confident he could play either role well, but it was the part of Kevin that really spoke to Michael. “Even when I was reading the script,” Gregory says, “I was always lured to Kevin’s emotional back-story. I love Kevin. The roles I love most are the ones that challenge me, and he’s got this relationship with Toby … has lots of love to give … I just love him.” And you can hear that love in Gregory Michael’s voice; he believes in Kevin, has both a deep emotional attachment to the character, and loves the guy to death. Never has this interviewer heard such conviction in an actor’s voice when describing his character.
However, as much as he loved the emotional lure of Kevin – the pilot shoot was long before Brokeback Mountain exploded onto movie screens, and Gregory did have a moment’s hesitation about what playing an openly gay character (he himself is a straight male); playing gay wasn’t the problem, so much as being typecast from then on as an actor was what made him think a moment about what he might be getting into.
But in the long run, as Gregory puts it, “I really don’t care what anyone thinks, as long as I’m true to myself; comfortable with myself. I’ve always been very comfortable with myself, and that’s given me the support to be able to play Kevin. There needs to be equality – Kevin exudes a lot of love, and gets a lot of support; everyone loves Kevin.” He goes onto add, “Even if they (the writers) change Kevin, I’ll fall in love with any changes because it’ll still be Kevin. I just love Kevin, and always will.”
As for plans beyond Michael’s current hit show – how does an EP that blends a little John Mayer and Justin Timberlake sound? A mix of urban hip hop with pop/romantic songs? Well, get ready for it because Gregory Michael the singer is back in the studios, currently working on an EP he hopes will eventually contain 10-12 songs he himself wrote, produced and recorded for his debut CD. He’s currently editing some of the tracks right now, but still allowed me to listen to a bit of one, called “Rip It” – and I gotta tell you, if that song is any indication, the EP is going to be HOT. Watch for it, because it’s exactly the mix Michael says he wants it to be, urban and pop ala Timberlake – and on him the vocals and music blend beautifully.
But don’t think Gregory Michael the actor isn’t equally on track – in fact, Michael hopes to fill his acting resume with more funny character roles that will not only use his good looks but play up on them – maybe in a campy, theatrical way, a la Westley in The Princess Bride – and Micha
el cites none other than comic genius Robin Williams as maybe his biggest comedic influence. In fact, he also mentions Williams, along with Kevin Spacey, as the actor he’d most like to work side-by-side with one day, on the big screen: “They’re actors whose work speaks for itself,” Michael says almost reverently. “People whose work has stood through the test of time.”
When asked what he thinks the one thing is his fans should know about him (that they don’t already), Gregory Michael’s reply is something Kevin Archer could say with equal sincerity: “I am that kind of person who would like to sing you to sleep. Even my friends, I would do it for them; I just love to sing that much. That, and Disney. Not everyone knows I love everything Disney.” The man means what he says, too – even sang a bit of Chicago’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” for me at the end of the interview, just so this interviewer could hear that voice (this was prior to his playing “Rip It” for me); and trust me, it was pretty amazing; his singing voice is as heartfelt as it gets, just like the guy behind it.
And five years from now? The 25-year-old actor/singer has a path set, and he hopes to still be on it: “Well, let’s hope I’m doing the same thing – film and TV – and that the music takes off to some capacity. If not, I’ll still be singing people to sleep. I’m not saying I’m the best in doing either, but singing gives me instant gratification.”
As does helping children, in any way he can.
“Children ARE our future,” Michael says with real conviction. “We should nurture every soul, ‘cause it’s what makes our future survive.” Gregory’s deep love of children and children’s causes started back when he was a street performer at Disney: “Anything I can do to give children as many opportunities as possible makes me happy. I just feel that if we as actors have that by-product of celebrity to help someone else, that’s great.” Gregory’s best-loved causes are those dedicated to children – The Make-a-Wish Foundation, Give Kids the
Fans are of real importance to Gregory, as well – though he still can’t believe it when he’s recognized, or even asked for an autograph. “(My first reaction is) Oh my God, you are kidding me! It’s still a shock when it happens, because I am still the guy wanting to ask for autographs! It’s humbling. It’s great;, it’s awesome. It makes you more human to know that people admire you.” Gregory loves hearing from his fans, so much so that on his site you will find an address where you can send a fan letter too; all Gregory asks is that you please include a self-address, stamped envelope with your request, if you want an autographed photo. And yes, he DOES sign all his photos himself.
And to close, a hundred years is a long way off, but if Gregory Michael the actor/singer is still remembered by then, he wants it to be for “leaving a message – hopefully a good one – that I kind of changed the world in some way. That I was an advocate for children and equality, and in some way changed the world.”
And again, with that sincerity in his voice – a sincerity that obviously goes straight to the heart he wears so well on his sleeve – you can bet Gregory Michael will do it.
You can reach Gregory via his official website - www.gregorymichael.tv/ - or via his MySpace page at this link: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=7136736. Again, if you request an autograph from the fan mail address on his site, please include a SASE.
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