I think of myself as emotionally giving — and emotionally demanding. People just assumed I was Latino and then felt betrayed when they found out I wasn’t, or they’d think I was trying to trick them into thinking I was.
You were a very convincing Chino in West Side Story.
Because of identity politics, I’ve had top casting directors call my personal cell phone to demand I tell them my ethnicity.
I’ll do what they did.’ At times that’s been discouraging, but I think for the most part, it’s empowering.”
- actor Michael Hsu Rosen
Noting that his “Looking,” “Torch Song” and “Pretty Smart” characters represent gay men at very different points in their lives, Rosen is confident he’ll be able to find the nuances in his future roles, even if they happen to also be queer.
Can you relate to him?
I love Alan because he’s so full of love. [Laughs] Sometimes it’s hard to feel like the sexiest one on that stage. In 1974 he’s out, proud, and ferociously loving. Though he believes he was subsequently passed over for several roles, he has no regrets about making the change. Artistically, what interests me most is using language to tell a story.
Tell me about Alan.
He can get excited for you, and I like to think I do that, too.”
Much like “Friends” and “Will & Grace,” “Pretty Smart” is told in broad comedic strokes.
In true sitcom fashion, Chelsea’s living situation becomes permanent after her boyfriend breaks up with her over the phone. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Michael Hsu Rosen is well-known for his portrayals of Nabil in ‘Tiny Pretty Things’ and Jayden in ‘Pretty Smart’.
I get misread daily as other identities, and for a long time I thought that was my fault.
The actor stars alongside Emily Osment and Gregg Sulkin in “Pretty Smart,” which debuted on Netflix this month. I separate myself from Marco and just enjoy this cute little flirt thing they have going on.”
And now that we’ve gotten to know a bit more about the heartthrob that is Michael Hsu Rosen, let’s also take a moment to admire some of his V sexy thirst traps, shall we?
We all have little notes and stuff on our dressing room doors, and mine always say Rosie.
When you previously performed on Broadway in West Side Story and On the Town, you were credited as Michael Rosen.
TYLER GOLDEN/NETFLIX
Rosen, who is gay and half-Chinese, is also proud of the Episode 8 appearance of actor Ming-Na Wen as Jayden’s mother, Jasmine, calling it “a very big deal for me and for my family.” He passed as Latino in many of his early roles, having having made his Broadway debut in the 2009 revival of “West Side Story” as Federico.
I had to put my foot down and say, ‘This is who I am. there’s still no A-list star for me to look to and say, ‘Hey, they’re like me. What’s your take on that conversation?
Well, I’m very proud to be gay and playing gay in such an iconic gay work. He also had a small but memorable role as Jimmy, one of Jonathan Groff’s paramours, in the 2016 wrap-up movie of HBO’s “Looking,” about the lives and loves of three gay men in San Francisco.
Though “Pretty Smart” has not yet been renewed for a second season, he’s hopeful the show’s writers will delve deeper into Jayden’s gay identity by giving the character a boyfriend or, at least, allowing his romantic side to shine in future episodes. I studied at the School of American Ballet, but at 17 I realized I wanted to be on Broadway.
But we have a fantastic straight actor in our cast, Ward Horton, who plays a tortured, conflicted, self-hating gay man beautifully.
Should actors be allowed to play anything, regardless of their sexuality?
Ideally, yes. He explained the dangers of being gay in 1974 and how a fit young man like Alan could be susceptible to violence from kids with baseball bats.
What’s it like to perform such an important and influential play that means so much to the LGBTQ community?
It’s beyond moving and deeply gratifying.
Then I got emotional telling Rosie how moved I was as a teenager watching her on Will & Grace, when she tells Jack, “I’m gay.” It was pretty clear I was saying, “Me, too.” After that I decided that of course I can talk about being gay. Not to mention, he is currently starring as Ben in Netflix’s new super gay show ‘Glamorous’.
Rosen was born and raised in the Upper West Side of New York City, where he attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School and the Professional Children’s School.