Billy Eichner has clarified his previous comment regarding LGBTQ+ streaming movies.
Back in August, the Difficult People star opened up to Variety about his upcoming LGBTQ+ film Bros.
During the interview, Eichner reflected on the new movie making history as the first gay rom-com to be produced by a major Hollywood studio.
“I told myself to look around and appreciate how rare and magical this moment is because you are making a movie that looks and feels like all the romantic comedies you grew up loving, but you’re doing it as a gay man,” he told the news outlet.
“And this is not an indie movie. This is not some streaming thing, which feels disposable, or which is like one of a million Netflix shows. I need to appreciate that ‘This is a historic moment, and somehow, you’re at the center of it. You helped create it.'”
However shortly after the interview went live, Eichner faced backlash from social media users, with some claiming that his comments were dismissive of other LGBTQ+ projects like Fire Island and Happiest Season.
In response to the criticism, the American Horror Story actor took to Twitter and clarified his comments before apologising to fans.
I want to clarify what I said about streaming content in Variety. I was not at ALL referring to the quality or monumental impact of streaming films, I was referring to the way that, historically, LGBTQ+ content has often been considered niche and disregarded by Hollywood.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 31, 2022
“I want to clarify what I said about streaming content in Variety. I was not at all referring to the quality or monumental impact of streaming films, I was referring to the way that, historically, LGBTQ+ content has often been considered niche and disregarded by Hollywood,” he tweeted.
“I have been openly gay since the beginning of my career over 20 years ago, at a time when that was very challenging. And I am very proud Bros is one of many projects – theatrical, streaming, online, etc – where so many of us are finally getting to tell our own LGBTQ+ stories.
“Being an openly gay man and a loud and proud part of the LGBTQ+ community is one of the things I am most proud of in my whole damn life. And from the bottom of my heart, I truly am so sorry if I inadvertently offended or insulted anyone. I really am. Thank you.”
Written by the Billy on the Street star and Nick Stoller (Neighbors), Bros follows Bobby Lieber (Eichner) and Aaron (Luke Macfarlane) as they navigate their commitment problems and blossoming romantic relationship.
The film is set to feature an entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast, including Jim Rash, Bowen Yang, Guillermo Díaz, Ts Madison, Miss Lawrence, Harvey Fierstien, Symone and Benito Skinner, among others.
Bros is due for release 28 October in the UK and 30 September in the US.
Watch the trailer here or below.
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