Conan – March 24, 2022 – Guest: Kurt Hummel

Kurt wasn’t outwardly afraid of much. He had a strong persona, which is half of the reason he got as far as he had in such a short amount of time. He didn’t make compromises. He knew what he wanted and went for it. He worked hard and earned his rightful place in the crazy world of fame. His fame, while still blossoming, was inevitable nonetheless. He had made wise decisions, ensuring the outcome that he wanted. After high school he had attended Tisch School of the Arts at NYU making sure to earn a degree before he made much aim to pursue an actual acting career. He knew it was important to his dad, and Burt had been so proud of him on graduation day.

He also remembered how proud Burt was the day he turned down his first script. He hadn’t been in LA very long. He was missing Rachel immensely, having decided he would rather chase film than Broadway, leaving her and his comfort zone in New York City. He had been on what felt like hundreds of auditions since his move, only 3 months prior. He took every audition, encouraged by his agent to do so. When he was finally offered a part, though, he couldn’t bring himself to take it. It had been a film about a senator working to make gay marriage illegal. In hindsight, a long discussion with Rachel via Skype, and after firing his agent, he wasn’t sure why he had actually gone on the audition. Probably because he was certain any writer/director pair who could be making this film could in no way actually want a gay man to play the senator. He figured that any audition was worth the practice and meeting yet another casting director who might remember him for something later. When they offered him the role he was almost offended. So he said no, despite no other further prospects.

Not a week later did he get a call for The Other Side of Darkness. It was a small indie film, but after Kurt read the script he was in love. It was the moment he decided characters drove film, and he wanted to play what he was sure would become an iconic character. He worked hard through the audition process, and felt proud when he earned one of two leading roles. He was the only character cast for a while, and it was a strange feeling when Cooper Anderson joined the cast. Kurt, an unknown, made sense for an indie film. Cooper was on a huge hit TV show. It was even weirder when Kurt found out that Cooper begged for the role after he found out Kurt was attached, BECAUSE Kurt was attached. He had known Cooper was from Ohio, but he had no idea who he was, and he didn’t quite understand how Cooper had known him.

The movie had done extremely well in the film festival circuit and had released just one week ago, to already huge success. Which is why Kurt was sitting scared in this dressing room trying to find confidence on his face in the mirror. Less than a week ago he had 120,000 fans on twitter. Now he had 843,569. Not that he was exactly meaning to watch the count go up, but he had noticed. His face was all over the Internet by Monday morning, along with Cooper and Blaine. Cooper had warned the boys that they might want to start keeping a lower profile, but neither of them had really thought any harm would come. Cooper had done a fantastic job of keeping his private life under wraps, and the other two were sure they could manage it as well. However, the three of them were a huge ticket together. Kurt had downplayed his celebrity, as Blaine had his also, which clearly was a mistake.

And tonight was his first ever television appearance. He was scared out of his mind. What was going to be asked? These hosts didn’t usually care for keeping secret things secret. Kurt knew that he was bound to turn red the moment he became uncomfortable, which would only make matters worse. He had watched Cooper’s interviews the week before, and was amazed at what a pro he was. He gave them enough information to pacify them, but not enough to really acknowledge what was going on.

A low knock came at the door, before it was opened by a stagehand who said, “Three minutes Mr. Hummel.” Kurt reached for his phone to type a quick text to Rachel, Maybe Broadway would have been the better choice. He threw his phone into his bag and made his way through the halls to the studio.

“I’m very excited about our first guest. He stars in a film that has made a huge splash in the past year. It was released last Friday, and I have to say, it honestly is my favorite film of the year so far. If this kid doesn’t win an Oscar, I may very well loose hope in all of modern society. Ladies and Gentlemen, Kurt Hummel!” Conan introduced. Kurt took a deep breath before stepping out from behind the curtain and walking out like a seasoned pro. Smile and wave, he thought to himself. He made his way to the couch hoping that he didn’t look as much in a daze as he felt.

“Hi!” Kurt said as he shook Conan’s hand and took a seat. “This is so exciting! I can’t believe I’m actually here!”

“Me either,” Conan responded earning a laugh from the audience. “So, how are you Kurt? Your life has changed quite drastically in the past year.”

“Yeah! I mean, I don’t think I quite felt it until this past weekend. It’s all starting to become real, you know? I’m just glad my dad’s college tuition payments are started to pay off,” Kurt said making Conan laugh.

“Yeah. You went to Tisch, didn’t you?” Conan asked. Kurt nodded in the affirmative as he took a sip of water. “Lucky bastard,” Conan said in response drawing a laugh from Kurt.

“What can I say? My dad loves me!” Kurt said, knowing Burt would thrive off of that shout out for the next week.

“Hear that dad,” Conan said turning toward the camera. “Father’s who love their sons send them to Tisch!” The room laughed. “Just kidding,” Conan said, laughing along, and turning back from the camera to Kurt. “So, you signed on to do this small indie film, what, three years ago? And the payoff is finally coming. How does it feel?”

“It’s great,” Kurt said, sounding genuinely excited. Which he was, not because of the film, but because so far the questions were going extremely well. “I was so proud and excited about this project. It’s great to see people appreciating it.”

“Your co-star isn’t bad, either.”

“Cooper is great! I was so excited to do this film with him, and we became great friends!” As Kurt said it he knew this comment was a poor choice, and he should have not allowed the conversation to turn in this direction.

“Yeah, you are making a huge media frenzy! We have a picture of you and Cooper from this weekend,” Conan said, pulling a picture up from his desk and showing it to the camera. Cooper was in front, with Kurt and Blaine walking side-by-side laughing behind him. “The most surprising part was Cooper’s brother. He is the hardest star to get a picture of, but since they through you in the mix there are many of them!”

“What can I say, I love the camera,” Kurt said hoping his blunt statement would cover up the redness he was sure was on his face. Conan laughed at his response, which was a good sign.

“You three seem to be having a great time,” Conan said, trying to lead Kurt.

“Yeah, they are great. It was nice being able to work with people from the same place, you know? It felt like home,” Kurt said, taking another drink of his water, trying to make the dryness in his throat subside.

“Well the three of you caused a meltdown in many teenage girl bedrooms. We have this YouTube video. Take a look.” Kurt took the time to take large deep breaths while the camera’s were on the video of two sisters, teenagers, squealing as they looked at picture of the three of them on the internet. It was a funny video, the girls started saying the most ridiculous things, and it made Kurt laughed and calmed him down a bit.

“Wow. Maybe I should just stay at home,” Kurt said when the video ended.

“No, no! Don’t do that!” Conan said. “Alright, enough about your co-star and his devastatingly handsome younger brother. Tell me about you. I heard that your best friend is Broadway darling, Rachel Barry.”

“Yes!” Kurt exclaimed, excited the topic was changing. “We went to high school together, and were in the same glee club. She’s fantastic, and slightly insane, and I love her! It was a tough decision leaving her and New York. I’m glad it’s working out.”

“It sure is, Kurt Hummel,” Conan said. “Now that you are an eligible Hollywood Hunk, I’m sure there will be many positive changes. One of the things that has been said about you, is how bold you were to start your career out as a gay man. I, personally, find it insane that it is still a topic up for discussion in 2022, but it is still and may always be a hot topic. What made you decide to go that route?”

Kurt looked at Conan, then down at himself, before responding, “I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to hide it.” Conan and the audience roared with laughter, as Conan said ‘no maybe not,’ before Kurt continued. “In all honesty, I wanted people to love me or hate me right from the beginning. I dealt with enough bullying in high school to know that it was easiest to take away their weapons by being proud of who you are. My family and friends know and love me for who I am, and that’s all that matters to me.”

“Well said,” Conan said with a smile, turning to the camera. “If you haven’t already seen The Other Side of Darkness you better get to it! Thanks for coming tonight, Kurt!”

“Thank you for having me,” Kurt responded to cheers and shook Conan’s hand as the shot started to pull out to go to commercial break.

Conan leaned in and said, “Good interview. You did a good job kid, I’d be glad to have you any time. And if you ever want to come on the show with your trophy boyfriend I would be glad to have you.” Conan continued quickly as he watched Kurt’s face flush. “Don’t worry. In time you will get used to everyone knowing everything about you.”

Kurt was glad to get off of the stage after that. He would have to call Blaine and figure out what to do. Two months of dating didn’t usually lend itself to such serious conversations, but his life was far from normal now. He guessed it was something he would have to get used to.