Keiynan Lonsdale wants to see actors of different sexualities represented in film and TV

Aussie actor Keiynan Lonsdale isn’t interested in changing himself for anyone. Since coming out after starring in a hugely popular coming-of-age gay love story, he wants to see more representation of sexualities in Hollywood.

Keiynan Lonsdale isn’t interested in changing himself for anyone.

It took the 26-year-old a long time to get to this point but he hasn’t looked back since coming out 18 months ago.

“I would be bored with my life if I wasn’t using my art and my heart to do something good in the world,” the actor and musician told Confidential.

“I have got to the point where if that (discrimination based on sexuality) is what they are thinking, I wouldn’t work on that project. I am not placing my self worth on how well my career goes and needing to be that guy.”

Australian actor Keiynan Lonsdale came out 18 months ago after starring in a coming-of-age gay movie. Picture: Justin Lloyd

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Lonsdale believes change is afoot in Hollywood, with several high profile actors able to be open about their sexuality.

“We are getting to the point where we have actors that are out playing these superhero characters,” he explained.

“I played The Flash TV series and Ezra Miller plays The Flash in Justice League. That is changing but yeah, we do need way more representation. We just need to keep going.”

Lonsdale is home in Sydney to attend tonight’s annual GQ Man of the Year event at The Star Event Centre.

He currently is one of the stars of TV drama The Flash. Picture: Warner Bros.

He came out after playing a lead role in Love, Simon. Picture: Supplied

Lonsdale moved to Los Angeles in 2014 when he scored back to back film roles in the big budget Divergent films in which he played Uriah alongside Shailene Woodley and Zoe Kravitz.

This year’s Love, Simon — Hollywood’s first mainstream coming-of-age gay love story — was a major breakthrough for Lonsdale personally and professionally as it was through that film that he found the strength to come out last year.

In a wide-ranging interview, the actor spoke of his years of being plagued by self-doubt and insecurities.

The rising Aussie star will attend the GQ Men Of The Year Awards. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“I would always create reasons in my mind why everyone was looking at me and why everyone was judging me and I didn’t know what I was doing,” Lonsdale explained.

“I would create so much stuff in my head. I was living like that almost 24/7. I had a lot of anxieties and insecurities. Since I was a kid, I always felt like I didn’t belong. It was that impostor syndrome kind of thing.”

Looking ahead, Lonsdale will next be seen on the big screen in feature film Weetzie Bat, again alongside Love, Simon co-star Nick Robinson.

He is also focusing on music with an album near completion.

“I am confident enough in the songs that no matter how it is released, it will be all right,” he said. “I’ve wanted to make a project that people listen to and whoever you are, it feels like home … it just feels right.”

Originally published as Keiynan Lonsdale wants to see actors of different sexualities represented in film and TV