Juan Pablo’s Story
A s the child of artistic parents, I grew up sketching and painting, and I planned to one day become an animator. Then, I discovered performing.
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in contemporary dance and started working as a professional dancer in Chicago: The Musical — but after eight months in the chorus, I realized I wanted to be in the front. I shifted course again, and began training to become an actor. It was a hard ladder to climb, and I started at the very bottom. I performed roles in small plays before graduating to small roles in TV shows, appearances in music videos, and gigs as a dance extra in films. Finally, I got my first leading role in a movie: Survival Island (2005).
I think every LGBT person struggles with their sexual orientation at some point. Growing up in Buenos Aires in the 1980s and 1990s, I certainly did. Back then, Argentina had a strong machismo culture, and to be a “sissy" was social suicide, so, of course, I grappled with the question of how, when, or even if I could ever live openly as a gay man. I was lucky because my mother decided to confront me about my sexuality when I was 19. I was not prepared to come out at the time, but the opportunity was there and I took it.
Professionally, I have never been in the closet. I just never said anything, one way or the other, about my orientation. I kept a low profile because I have always been a private person. I didn't think it mattered — but sometimes, the moment comes when one wants to be 100% clear about who they are and what they stand for.
That moment came for me In 2019. I had the opportunity to give a TEDx talk, in which I was asked to speak about my personal life and artistic journey. While telling the audience that everyone goes through painful moments, bullying, and name-calling, I happened to mention that I was gay.
Now, I love fucking with my audience (take my show MINUTIAE for example), so of course I got a kick out of weaving this information into an entertaining story involving Jesus and pornography. But the statement wasn’t meant to be some kind of earth-shattering revelation. Of course, the press loves a literal angle, so they framed the story as though I had just come out after hiding in the closet for 38 years, even though my family and friends already knew. The reality was that I shared my “secret” because I was speaking to students, and I felt that my experience could be inspirational for them in a world where there’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to acceptance.
For myself, I didn’t feel like such a formal coming out was necessary in 2019, but I believe being able to find humor in it was. After all, it’s when we can laugh at ourselves that we are able to heal and move on.
For more about Juan Pablo, check out his website or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
Artist Notes
“Juan Pablo is shown on stage as an actor and performer. The tiny doodles around him represent the artistic upbringing that shaped him. On both sides of the illustration, varied audience seating and lighting are included. The flower that blooms from his feet represents his evolution as an actor who worked his way up from the bottom, as well as his ‘coming out’ in the TEDx talk.”
Published Sep 30, 2020
Updated Aug 30, 2023
Published in Issue VIII: Art