Taye Diggs’ Drag Queen Past, Actor Says He Experimented In High School
Taye Diggs recently got cast as the first African American to take on the role of Hedwig in Broadway’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch. That said, it looks like Diggs sort of related to the material a bit.
While spotted by cameras, Diggs answered questions about how he’ll prepare for the role, and that’s when Diggs revealed that he has a drag queen past, sort of. The actor, who has been on Broadway previously, stated that he experimented back when he was in high school.
“There’s a lot of glitter. I mean, I went through a stage where I was a drag queen in high school in tenth and eleventh grade, and I experimented with homosexuality, a– play. And outside of that I worked the streets, male prostitution.”
While he did answer the photographer with a straight face, the last sentence indicates that Taye was just joking. He continued, “I have a flaming homosexual inside of me, so I’m raring to let that out.”
Although the actor was all jokes for the camera crew, he did tweet out his gratitutde for getting the role of Hedwig.
Currently, Glee’s Darren Criss is starring in the Broadway play. Previously, Michael C. Hall, Andrew Rannells, and Neil Patrick Harris played the role of Hedwig, with Harris earning a Tony for the revival.
Big big ups to the cast of Hedwig. So hyped to tackle this role of a lifetime. Hoping I do it justice. I’m grateful.
— Taye Diggs (@TayeDiggs) May 20, 2015
Fans seem pretty pumped to see Diggs in the role too.
I love @TayeDiggs for this! NYC here I come!! “@TMZ: Taye Diggs – Channeling His ‘Inner Homosexual’ to Play Hedwig http://t.co/IAWc6GpWmQ”
— Brentley Willis Bawn (@BrentleyW) May 21, 2015
@TayeDiggs honestly can’t wait to see what it becomes with you in the wig. Congrats again!
— Nellie (@_nellie12) May 20, 2015
@TayeDiggs you are gonna be awesome!!!!! @HedwigOnBway is a great family to be a part of and we are all here to support you!!!
— Lena Hall (@LenaRockerHall) May 20, 2015
Before his take on Hedwig, Diggs starred in the original cast of Rent, Wicked, and was part of the revivals of Chicago, and Carousel.
Back when Broadway star Idina Menzel was married to Diggs, she spoke to Pride Source about his high school years. When asked if Taye ever flirted with his sexuality, Menzel replied cheekily, “No. Please. He went to the high school of the arts in Rochester and majored in theater in Syracuse, and so many of his friends were gay before we even met.”
She continued, “Yeah, he’ll even engage in runway’ at parties at the house if we pull out the carpet and it’s late at night, he has a couple of drinks and Taye will even do runway… if you give him enough alcohol.”
What do you think of Taye Diggs’ joke?
[Photo by Theo Wargo / Getty Images]
