June 22, 2023 • 35 mins
Chicago Fire, as part of television’s Chicago franchise and executive produced by TV great Dick Wolf, has become a staple of NBC’s collection of fan-favorite shows. Now in its 12th season, it centers around the personal and professional lives of firefighters in the Chicago area. Having earned the role of firefighter Darren Ritter, Daniel Kyri is now enjoying his fifth year with the show, though the role was originally intended to only be around for 2 or 3 episodes. He is an out and proud actor who plays an openly gay firefighter in a typically hyper-masculine environment. Viewers of Dick Wolf shows are fervent, to say the least, and they have embraced Daniel and his character, quickly making him a fan favorite. Daniel is a native of Chicago and brings to the show the acting skills that he honed from his vibrant theater history, founded in the rich theater culture that Chicago has to offer. Did you know he also sings…amazingly?
In this episode, we chat about his growing up on the south side, his early start in the theater world and the safe space it offered, the challenge of dealing with his sexuality, his early brush with reality TV, his take on acting, the audition for Chicago Fire that almost didn’t happen, his first day of filming, and how the show has changed his life and how it taught him more about acting, his singing, what’s up ahead, and his message to the community this Pride season. Hosted by Alexander Rodriguez.
Check out Daniel's in-depth chat in the Pride Issue of Metrosource, on newsstands or at Metrosource.com
In this episode, we chat about his growing up on the south side, his early start in the theater world and the safe space it offered, the challenge of dealing with his sexuality, his early brush with reality TV, his take on acting, the audition for Chicago Fire that almost didn’t happen, his first day of filming, and how the show has changed his life and how it taught him more about acting, his singing, what’s up ahead, and his message to the community this Pride season. Hosted by Alexander Rodriguez.
Check out Daniel's in-depth chat in the Pride Issue of Metrosource, on newsstands or at Metrosource.com
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Episode Transcript
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(00:05):
This is Metrosource minis, the officialpodcast to Metrosource magazine and home of short
form interviews with your favorite personalities fromthe LGBTQ world and beyond. Quick,
fun and informative. It's Metrosource onthe go, out in proud since nineteen
ninety. Welcome to Metrosource Minis.I'm your host Alexander Rodriguez, writer from
(00:25):
Metrosource and queen of the podcast.Chicago Fire is part of Television Chicago Franchise
and executive proofs by TV Great DickWolf has become a staple of NBC's collection
of fan favorite shows. Now inits twelfth season, it centers around the
personal and professional lives of firefighters inthe Chicago area. Having earned the role
of firefighter Darren Ritter, Daniel Kyrieis now enjoying his fifth year with the
(00:47):
show, though the roles originally intendedto only be for about two or three
episodes. He is an out andproud actor who plays an openly gay firefighter
in a typically hypermasculine environment. Viewersof Dick Wolf shows are fervent, to
say the least, and they've embracedDaniel and his character quickly, making him
a fan favorite. Daniel is anative to Chicago and brings to the show
(01:07):
his acting skills that he honed fromhis vibrant theater history founded in the rich
theater culture that Chicago has to offer. Did you know he also sings amazingly?
On this episode, we chat abouthis growing up on the South Side,
his early start in the theater worldin the safe Space had offered the
challenge of dealing with his sexuality,his early brush with reality TV, his
take on acting the audition for ChicagoFire that almost didn't happen, his first
(01:32):
day of filming, and how theshow has changed his life and how it's
taught him more about acting. Wealso talk about his singing What's Up Ahead
and his message to the community thisPride season. Check it out all right
for Daniel, You grew up inthe South Side of Chicago. We know
from how that area came to be. It's very diverse, rich in culture
(01:52):
and history. We also know thatTV, film whatever can also paint areas
of the South Side as like fullof crime. I'm as as problem.
But what was the reality of growingup in that environment and what do you
love most about having been raised there? Um? My reality of growing up
where I did on the South Sideis that, you know, it's like
(02:15):
growing up in any city. Yougo, you know, one block super
immaculate, like gorgeous lawns, youknow what I mean, and then another
block things might get a little bitrougher. Um. But so that is
a part of the reality, butnot the whole, you know. And
(02:36):
for most of my childhood growing upon the South Side, I felt perfectly
safe. And what's more important,like for me, is that I also
had a lot of opportunities to learnthings pretty quickly and so you know,
your boys street wise, like Iknow how to get around, I know
what's what, and I think thatthat's actually helped to shape me as the
capable adult that I am now.That being said, you know, I
(02:57):
grew up really close to family.My GiMA stayed like right across the way
from me, and we would goover there where my mom had to work
after school or whatever, and wewould go over there and like half seapovers
and she would be watching you know, Zvinuli and like I'd like little local
Chicago things, you know, stufflike that. And having that time with
(03:19):
family being so close, and alsoknowing that I could play on my block
and there'd be a cousin or anuncle or whatever. Family was always really
around and really close, and thatwas one of my favorite parts of growing
up there. I felt taken careof. Well, I'm growing around family.
You know, that's something the youngergenerations are just not doing, you
know, especially like you know meon the La side, we didn't have
that family dynamic. Everybody is sofar removed. So that is very special
(03:44):
that you have that. Now.You got into theater doing plays as a
kid. Your mom enrolled you inthe after school matters program, you know,
right around puberty fifteen years old.Tell me what being part of theater
was for you at that time whenboys were supposed to grow up as men,
especially in the black culture, especiallyyou know what we think of as
Chicago. Was there any backlash fromanyone? Uh from you loving the arts
(04:06):
and being a part of that world. What was super fascinating was, um
there was you know, not toget super sob story for me, but
you get a story. We're herefor it. Were sorry you get the
Kleenex because here we are. NoBut I mean, you know, I
think that the tea is you know, I'm I'm I'm a little bit older
(04:27):
than some of the young young queerscoming out you know now, And I
think that there are conversations and dialogueand discourse that exists now, you know,
not unilaterally across the board of course, UM, but you know coming
out or just the celebration of peoplebeing who they are. I think that
there is more conversation at least aroundthat. Um. And So around that
(04:51):
time where I was, you know, again fifteen, I wasn't just discovering
the arts, you know what I'msaying. So well, I found out
some things about myself around that timeas well that didn't necessarily jive with the
way that I was brought up.Interestingly enough, the arts actually served as
a bit of a bridge between meand my family around that time growing up,
(05:14):
because they believed in me and thatregard and it was something that I
was passionate about and was good at, and so they encouraged it. Well,
that's very special when we know,you know, theater has been such
a safe split, safe space formany from from our community. UM.
You said, You've said an interviewthat you were kind of lost at sea
(05:38):
regarding your sexuality. What did youkind of first get the inclination that you
weren't like the other boys, andwhat kind of gave you that courage to
come out? I think, youknow, my journey with who I am
has been a hard fought journey,a hard fought arrival. When I was
(06:02):
younger, it was more so alabel that was put on me that I
felt like I had to buck orI felt like I had to I just
need. I thought that I neededto present in a way that was not
you know, queer or not gayor not you know, quote unquote effeminate,
(06:26):
because where I grew up, whenI grew up, it was a
lot of people othering me and andusing you know, gay synonymous with something
bad or not good. And ofcourse this is this isn't a unique experience
whatsoever, you know, But um, it took me longer to fully understand
(06:50):
and recognize the parts of me thatwere just kind of inherently me and very
real because I spent so much timedenying those parts of me. So even
though yes I encountered some stuff whenI was fifteen, I spent years trying
to convince myself otherwise or trying toyou know, So you have that wild
(07:12):
pendulum of just swinging back and forthand back and forth, and that part
of you doesn't get enough light,so it starts to it starts to kind
of like fester or or or woltin the dark. And those parts of
me I went through. You know, one of the one of the series
that I created when I was figuringout how to be an artist, it's
(07:36):
called The Tea and it's it's reallyabout that time of experiencing some elements of
of not taking care of myself inthe best way that I could in regards
to my to my queerness or mypractices or within relationship with people. Um.
So you know, I just sayall that to say it was a
(07:57):
long and twisty road to get tome being happy and healthy in my queerness
and open and dare I say proud? Yeah? Well, and you know,
I mean, what a special rolemodel you are. You know,
you're not growing up with these outblack queer you know men out you know
in Hollywood or you know visibility.It's like you didn't have that growing up
(08:20):
and now you are that for awhole you know an audience. Um,
Um, that's that's that's okay.We're gonna lighten up a little bit.
Um. We have to talk aboutkid Nation. For those that don't know,
kid Nation was a reality show literallyput a group of kids left to
their own devices aka Lord of theFlies to create a nation government at all.
(08:43):
What what was that experienced like?And you actually walked away with a
chunk of change? No, youdid not just bring I had to.
I remember when the show came out. I was like, you do not
hell is this? It was Ohmy gosh, you know, being where
(09:11):
I'm from and having an opportunity tolike just represent myself. It was like
the first extended period of time thatI was away from my family and my
parents, and so to kind offind out who I was just in context
(09:33):
of the world was actually really fun, you know. And that experience for
me on Kidnation was I'm not evengonna lie, like, it's one that
I really cherished. It was wild. The nights were cold, you know,
we had to win basic necessities likelike I don't know, sleeping beds,
(09:54):
and yeah, I remember all ofthat stuff. So, I mean,
it was a little while, butit was. It's a really formative
time for me, an informative timefor me. I loved it. I
had fun. One of my fondestmemories is jumping into a giant frying pan
filled with baked beans and live pigs. Like you can't make it up,
(10:15):
but it's funny, you do.Related. It's like that's when you found
yourself. It was like going awayfor college for yourself. Well, you're
you're unhinged by all these like peerpressure, societal pressure. You're literally in
this kind of you know, newnew world so to speak. You know,
and what we see from the youngergeneration is, you know, you're
not born with racism, you're notborn with bigotry, You're not born with
all of these kind of predispositions.That's all taught to you. So to
(10:39):
be surrounded by peers who were workingtowards a certain goal, Um, you
know, I'm not sure. I'mnot sure who would survive if we were
to do that show again. Imean it would be a little bit of
an expert. I mean, Iremember that show got so controversial and I
wasn't expecting you too, like theLord of the Flies reference was all up
(11:00):
in the press or like child laboredthat and ah, and I was.
I basically went to summer camp forthe first time and got paid for it.
And you're right, I walked upwith a chunk of money and it
felt good good. In your earlytwenties not so long ago, you did
a lot of theater in Chicago,Starter's Hamlet, Goodman Theater, Gift Theater.
What is it about Chicago theater thatyou learned the most about acting that
(11:22):
you think is pretty unique to Chicagotheater. Wow, that's a fantastic question.
Um. I mean my experience intheater and kind of cutting my teeth
here is that I kind of Ilearned a lot, Like I just learned
a lot about how to make theater. And the thing that's really fantastic I
(11:43):
think about Chicago is that there isif there's any kind of if you encounter
any kind of ego at all,at the very least, the art comes
first, you know. And soeven I've had some like wild experiences just
like you know, because people arepeople and they will be people in I
(12:05):
have learned the most valuable lessons Ithink about how to take care of your
instrument, your body, yourself inorder to show up and meet the demands
of the work. I've done stuffwhere I did you know, Moby Dick
at Looking Glass Theater back and Iwant to say twenty fifteen, where I
(12:28):
had never done physical theater before,so it was out of the frying pan
into the fire and you just goand you learn. And the amount of
support that I had around me inthat process was pretty amazing. Like I
literally did a whole like basically likeSilks routine, you know what I'm saying,
Like the amount of upper body strengththat takes is nuts, and that
(12:48):
was the first time I've ever doneit, and just the way everybody rallied
around. I do feel like thatcan be an experience sometimes that is a
little bit unique UM to Chicago theaterbecause there is a sense of community for
better or for worse that exists here. Now you were part of that,
(13:09):
graduating from youth theater, which youknow, we all have our experiences doing
theater as youth to graduate into doingyou know, critically acclaimed roles at you
know, really important theater houses.Um. Do you subscribe to any kind
of acting style? Did that evolveyou just walk in and you're an actor
or are you like, oh,I'm a staunch you know, Uh yeah,
(13:35):
baby, let me get I'm notgoing to turn this into a Lady
Gaga interview. Um. Another club, another club, another theater another theater.
But I it's a little bit I'ma little Frankenstein, you know,
And I honestly, I kind offeel like the actors that I haven't counted
(14:00):
that I love watching the most areusually the ones who just borrow and steal
and then turn it into something thatis uniquely them and that they are uniquely
suited too, because I think oneof the biggest things that we tend to
overlook when we're talking about technique inthe craft is essence, right, and
(14:22):
you will hear more and more likea Violet Davis or someone talking about or
even like I think Rachel mcden's hadan interview recently, but she's talking about
this where it's just like, thethings that make you uniquely you are some
of the most important, you know, aspects of building a character, building
a role, stepping into into aworld and fully inhabiting it. You have
(14:48):
to bring parts of yourself to it. But what's the really fun part for
me is being like, Okay,like this character might get upset the way
that I've seen my get upset,which is like angry, crying and like
like a kind of low level oftalk, like of talking where it's not
like loud and yelling, but it'sintense and just finding the variances and nuances
(15:13):
that exists from person the person andhow they handle different situations. I think
is it's just the most the mostfun. And in terms of whether it's
Stanislovski or it's um Meisner or whatever, it is, really and truly,
I think whatever just helps you getthere is the best method. Well.
(15:35):
And as an actually you have tobe fluid, you have to be available,
you know, to respond in differentways. That's what makes an actor
or an actor. And it's almosta paradox to like the LGBTQ community,
if you stick with one idea ofwhat you think this is and you don't
think outside that box, it's solimiting. You know, it needs to
be this kind of fluid energy.Um, okay, so we're gonna have
(15:56):
to, like you said, fromfrom the frying pan into the fire.
So we have to talk about ChicagoFire. Um, Darren Ritter supposed to
be around for two or three episodesthen you know, Series Regular twenty twenty.
Here we are Chicago Fire. Clearlynot theater. How did that audition
come about? So you really knowyourself? This is like so awesome period.
(16:21):
UM. So I was actually doingthe production that you had mentioned of
Hamlet UM with my friend Netta Walkeras my Ophelia. I was Hamlet,
she was Ophelia critically acclaimed by theway critically acclaimed Um. And I remember
I had like my friend Monte coleUm directed that production at the Gift Theater,
(16:42):
and I remember going into that audition. I had like I had had
time off between filming my web seriesin the start of that production, and
I remember I walked in and Iwas blond and like doing my own thing
and whatever, and he like justate it up and loved it. And
so I was doing that. Ibooked it, and I was doing that
show and we were I think maybethree weeks from finishing the run when I
(17:06):
had the audition for Chicago Fire andI went into the casting office and I
auditioned for something else. In thecasting agent Claire Simon was like, because
and this is true, that shehad seen me essentially grow up a little
bit, because I'd been auditioning,you know, since I left school,
(17:27):
and I was like a lot younger. I had like hair, it was
like I had like logs. Itwas like a whole thing. When they
first saw me and she's like,you've become such a wonderful actent. I
was like, oh my god,thank you girl. And so then she
ended up calling me in for thisother role in Chicago Fire, because I
think that was for PD my initialaudition and I had just like made this
web series. I was doing ahamlet, which was a bucket list role,
(17:48):
but you know, it wasn't awhole lot of pay, and I
was looking around at my life girland I said, I'm broke, and
I was like, I need tojust go work in somebody's restaurant some money.
So I was like, no,I'm not gonna do the audition,
and my agents were like you shoulddo it. They were like, why
don't you just look at it andsae like. So I looked at it.
I looked at the material that theyhad for the role, and it
(18:11):
was Ritter and it's awesome. Itwas so it was it was. It
landed on me in a way whereI was like, Okay, let me
just play around with it. Andthen I played around with it and I
really loved him. So I wentinto the audition and it was blonde hair,
(18:32):
blue eyes everywhere, and I saidOkay, this role is not for
me, you know what I'm saying, like, because sometimes that's just how
it works. Sometimes there's a specificlook or whatever which is it is what
it is, let's see industry.And I didn't think I was gonna get
it, so but I I wentin and I just and I did it.
And and then I went before thedirector of that first episode, res
(18:52):
A Tabreezy, who was an executiveproducer on our show now, and he
was like you, and I waslike wait, I was like, period,
then I don't know. And thenI was really grateful that my reps
said go and do this audition becauseyou know, now here I am five
seasons later, pretty nuts. Itfeels, it feels amazing. It feels
(19:18):
really really good because I'm I'm athome. I'm at home here, I'm
at home in the role, andthere's so many parts of Ritter that um
speak to parts of me and viceversa, and it's a really fantastic job
to have well and then speak tothe audience as well. You know,
we know Dick Wolf fans can bepretty intense when they love a character.
(19:40):
They love a character. But Iwant to know about your your first day
of filming. Like I said,it's a dick Wolf NBC extravagans up.
You were like super nervous and youwere like, oh crap, like or
you know, did it just didit just come easily for you? Oh?
My gosh. I was extremely tiredbecause because I'm you know, I'd
(20:02):
literally gotten on the stage during him, and then the next the next morning,
it was like up at four orforty five in the morning, and
so anyway, got there and everyonewas just so energetic because I remember that
was the cast who had already beenthere and I was stepping into you know,
Christian Sulty, David Eigenberg and walklike everyone. It was their first
(20:29):
day back filming, so they wereall happy to see each other and so
much energy. And I'm just likein the van on the way to the
set, like, okay, makesure I know my lines. Make sure
I know my lines, you know, like that kind of energy. It
was a very nerve wracking day.There were like four cameras in my face.
They're pumping smoke through a stairwell.It's like ninety or almost one hundred
(20:51):
degrees outside, so it's hotter inthe stairwell. There's like these lights you
know, and it was my firsttime on a big set, so I
and I've just had to get lockedin and narrow down my world so that
I could really my my zone.Focus became really tight until and then they
say, any I got through theday, you know, but it was
(21:12):
it was like something out of adream for me. Um. And you
know some some actors like freeze upand they just can't like get through that
kind of environment. Um, Iwant you to not be humble. Uh,
what do you think it is aboutyou that made them keep you around
for so long? Wait? Ikind of love you. Um what is
(21:37):
it about me? I think thatI was probably something they hadn't seen before
in the context of that world.Yeah. Um. And because I'm still
here and I'm and I'm still umsurprising them and I'm and I'm fully present,
(22:00):
I think it's something that the showneeded. I am someone that the
show needed. I absolutely love that. Now as an openly queer actor going
on a show like that, youknow, there's no going back. Like
I said, those fans are intense. Your life is your life. Those
fans will make their own little wikipediaabout you. There's nothing that you can
(22:22):
kind of keep secret in terms ofletting the nation know that, yes,
I'm an openly queer actor, youknow, playing this queer character. There's
no going back. Did you haveany like, you know, fear of
that kind of step from going fromYeah, I'm known in the theater world
too. Now I'm going to bean international presence in a Dick Wolf production.
I I wish that I could saythat there, that there wasn't a
(22:47):
little bit of fear. I thinkit's very much how you how you've phrased
it. There is no there's nogoing back, you know. And um,
when I had written my web series, that was my for me,
that was my coming out to mycommunity. Um, and you know,
it was a small little series,but it was a love letter to my
(23:11):
journey into where I was at thetime of creating it. And it was
just so wild to kind of likehave that not exactly coincide, mind you,
because a writer doesn't come out onthe show until my second season,
so season season eight, I believeepisode something or rather, don't quote me
(23:33):
on that, but I think itwas the second episode. But anyway,
Um, yeah, I just atfirst, I was really scared, um
because I felt even though I want, I want to be out there,
and I want to be received formy work. I was also pretty private
(23:56):
about certain things in my life andprotective over that part of me. And
then I just was thinking about itand working on that scene. And then
I got excited, which I thinkis often the case. Sometimes when you
make it to the other side offear, you find your excitement. And
(24:19):
I got excited, and I wasjust like, what a wonderful story to
get to tell and to step intoHoly I said, you know what.
And because I'm a I'm a personthat believes in representation, I was like,
yeah, I am a queer blackman. Who is who gets the
(24:41):
opportunity to play a queer black manon this show that has such a massive
impact. And so then it justbecame about wanting to do it justice well,
to have a queer voice and ashow that deals with firefighters. We
know, it's very hyper masculine industry, our idea of firefight, you know,
it's all of that. It's like, you know, this, this
(25:02):
is what a masculine seeming environment reallyis. It's composed of all different kinds
of men and women, and soI absolutely love that they've gone there with
the show. Um, now,like you said, we're talking about five
seasons, which in actor years islike a hundred years. Okay, how
have you changed the most as anactor from these past five seasons. The
(25:26):
biggest thing, I think is confidence. That's been the biggest change for me.
You know, this is the firstshow that I have done, the
first television show that I've done,and so there is always something new to
learn. Even now, I'm stilllearning a lot. But I think when
you're first stepping into it, itcan be a little daunting or feel a
(25:47):
little daunting. But now I kindof live for those moments where I learned
something new on our set and Ilook around and you know, there's the
crew, the DP and the gaffersand the grips and everyone who have something
to teach if you're willing to openup your eyes and learn and a little
bit. And that's one of myfavorite parts of my job now is that
(26:10):
I just get to be curious,and so I have confidence in that curiosity,
you know what I mean. It'slike, it's not about getting getting
it right, because I think thatcan take you out of yourself. Right.
It's about being present and being receptiveand being open, and I think
that curiosity leads to that openness,and that openness for me leads to confidence
(26:33):
in my role. I absolutely lovethat and I think it's that vulnerability like
you have on your social media,and I think that's why fans love you
so much, as like you aredown to earth. Some people book their
first big role, then they getpicked up as a series regular, and
then there's just like this ego thatcomes out and it's like this curated Instagram
that comes out. It's like youknow, and it's like, no,
you are, you are very available, you are very down to earth.
(26:55):
Now, how do you think you'vechanged the most as a person as Daniel,
a person, not as an actor? Um? How much of that
change the person? I think thatI have a better sense of of my
own self worth and I do thinkthat it largely exists outside of my work
(27:22):
now, which is such a refreshingthing to have and to say, Um,
but being surrounded by so many justaffirming and positive people day in and
day out, because this really isone of the best jobs because of the
people. To be honest with you, it has really poured back into me
(27:48):
what I what I give out,and that in itself has been really affirming
and really and really fantastic. AndI just feel I've grown a lot,
and I've learned a lot about myselfand just a lot about yeah, how
to take care of me. Andalso it's okay to put yourself first sometimes.
Yeah, yeah, I picked upalong the way. Um okay,
(28:12):
I've been listening to the song overand over for the past few days.
Don't be afraid of Love. It'smy new jam. I had no idea,
what is this hidden talent. Ihad no idea you were such a
consummate singer, and not just asinger actor, but a singer. Don't
be Afraid of Love. Everybody canstream it anywhere. It's such a mix
of everything I love. Your voiceis like velvet as to the sixties texture
(28:36):
soul, a dash of Bruno Marsin there. Where is more of your
singing? I first of all,come on dash with Bruno Mars. I
am currently working on my debut projectwith a longtime friend of mine named Danny
Classic, who is a producer workinghere in Chicago. We have written about
(29:03):
five songs, and you know,for me, it's just I am a
little bit I can be a littlebit of a perfectionist sometimes so there are
some things that I'm working on anddoing a little bit behind the scenes to
just kind of prepare for when thatwill hit the airwaves, which I am
(29:23):
actually confident will be this year.So you'll get a little bit more of
that, But you'll also get tosee aside of me because that Don't Be
Afraid of Love is a project thatI was working on with some other friends
of mine in the industry who hada specific creative vision, so write that
kind of retro sound. This time, you're gonna get a little bit more
of me and a little bit moreof my or the artists that I've listened
(29:48):
to that inspire me. So you'regonna get to like catch some of that.
But I'm I'm I'm really excited,and I'm really happy that you brought
that up. Well. And thenonce that comes out, then we're gonna
see your concert performance in LA inNew York. Right, that's absolutely the
plan, right, come on,we will be here for it. Um.
Okay, let's talk about you're behindthe camera experience like you like you
(30:11):
mentioned directing, writing, starting inthe t EP for the short six feet
Apart is behind the camera. Isthat some work that you want to do
more of Does does that have anyinterest for you? Um? Doing work
behind the camera is something that reallyinterests me because, UM, in my
own work, I like to practicesomething that I call radical representation, which
(30:33):
means that you know, for instance, on the set of The Tum,
most of our cast and crew werequeer or trans or phem in some way
or you know, bipoc um.And you know, obviously like not everyone,
but we made a push, avery conscious effort to make sure that
(30:56):
that was something that was reflected notjust in UM on camera on screen,
right, UM, And I dothink that behind the camera, Like,
as an actor, you know,my job is to say the words and
tell the story. UM, butI don't one percent of the time,
(31:19):
at least, I don't get tonecessarily dictate the direction that those stories take.
Behind the camera, I have alittle bit more agency in that regard.
UM. Now, obviously, asan actor, I can argue for
my character different things or whatever.But in this instance, you know,
behind the behind the camera, Ithink is where I can do I can
(31:42):
more diligently align with my beliefs inradical representation. Um. You know,
because even six feet apart, asyou mentioned, you know, that is
something that explores Mexican dad, queerness, masculinity. And it actually you know,
written by Isaac Gomez. Um,it actually filmed in El Paso and
(32:04):
that surrounding area, and a lotof the cast and crew were folks from
that actual community. And so thingslike that, you know, filming on
location and making sure that it's amajority Latin cast and crew, um,
and make sure they were local.Like, those are all things that I'm
passionate about. And so if Iam running a set or producing on a
(32:29):
set or anything like that, thatis a push that I have for making
that the norm well and how tomake changes, like you have to make
change behind the scenes before it'll happenin front of the scenes one hundred percent.
Okay, last question, does itbother you that many of the headlines
read queer actor gay actor Daniel It'slike, well, I'm an actor.
(32:52):
Is that label used as just likea media grabbing headline or is it important?
Um? I think that its levelof import can sometimes be a bit
inflated, but I do think thatthere is depending on where a person is
(33:12):
in their own journey around perhaps understanding. I hate to use the word accepting,
so I won't. But understanding queernessand stepping outside of themselves enough to
actually investigate with curiosity, then Ithink a headline like that might do its
(33:32):
job and grab the attention of someone. Do I think it's necessary all the
time? Absolutely not at the sameby the same token as an out you
know, queer black man. I'mso chill with that. I'm like,
yeah, like I'm queer because Ifind such joy in my identity now that
(33:53):
I never or that I didn't growup with that. It feels just good
to see a headline like that sometimes, you know where it's like, here's
this queer man and just like AngelaBassett doing the thing. Okay, it's
(34:13):
good to see. It's good tobe a part of, and I'm happy
it's about me. I absolutely lovethat. Oh real, real fast.
What is your message to your fans? My message to my fans, I
mean, y'all are real ones.Thanks for holding your boy down because they
do and I don't know, justmore life, Go live, go explore,
(34:42):
and as always be as curious asyou can be about the world around
you. I can't thank you enoughfor taking time out to chat with me
with us today. You know,I just love your story and I love
how we've kind of seen your evolution. It's it's so great. So thank
you, thank you, thank youso much, thank you. I appreciate
(35:04):
that. That has been another episodeof Metrosource Minis. You can follow Daniel
on Instagram at Daniel Kyrie and checkout my in depth chat with him on
the Pride issue of Metrosource on newsstandsor at metrosource dot com. I've been
your host to Alexander Rodriguez. Youcan follow me on Instagram at Alexander is
on Air, Happy Pride, anduntil next time, stay true and do
you boom. That has been anotherMetrosource Mini Like shared, subscribe on your
(35:34):
favorite podcast player, and check outthe latest issue of Metrosource magazine on newstands
or online at metrosource dot com.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram at metrosource
and on Twitter at metrosource mats.Until next time, da
This is Metrosource minis, the officialpodcast to Metrosource magazine and home of short
form interviews with your favorite personalities fromthe LGBTQ world and beyond. Quick,
fun and informative. It's Metrosource onthe go, out in proud since nineteen
ninety. Welcome to Metrosource Minis.I'm your host Alexander Rodriguez, writer from
(00:25):
Metrosource and queen of the podcast.Chicago Fire is part of Television Chicago Franchise
and executive proofs by TV Great DickWolf has become a staple of NBC's collection
of fan favorite shows. Now inits twelfth season, it centers around the
personal and professional lives of firefighters inthe Chicago area. Having earned the role
of firefighter Darren Ritter, Daniel Kyrieis now enjoying his fifth year with the
(00:47):
show, though the roles originally intendedto only be for about two or three
episodes. He is an out andproud actor who plays an openly gay firefighter
in a typically hypermasculine environment. Viewersof Dick Wolf shows are fervent, to
say the least, and they've embracedDaniel and his character quickly, making him
a fan favorite. Daniel is anative to Chicago and brings to the show
(01:07):
his acting skills that he honed fromhis vibrant theater history founded in the rich
theater culture that Chicago has to offer. Did you know he also sings amazingly?
On this episode, we chat abouthis growing up on the South Side,
his early start in the theater worldin the safe Space had offered the
challenge of dealing with his sexuality,his early brush with reality TV, his
take on acting the audition for ChicagoFire that almost didn't happen, his first
(01:32):
day of filming, and how theshow has changed his life and how it's
taught him more about acting. Wealso talk about his singing What's Up Ahead
and his message to the community thisPride season. Check it out all right
for Daniel, You grew up inthe South Side of Chicago. We know
from how that area came to be. It's very diverse, rich in culture
(01:52):
and history. We also know thatTV, film whatever can also paint areas
of the South Side as like fullof crime. I'm as as problem.
But what was the reality of growingup in that environment and what do you
love most about having been raised there? Um? My reality of growing up
where I did on the South Sideis that, you know, it's like
(02:15):
growing up in any city. Yougo, you know, one block super
immaculate, like gorgeous lawns, youknow what I mean, and then another
block things might get a little bitrougher. Um. But so that is
a part of the reality, butnot the whole, you know. And
(02:36):
for most of my childhood growing upon the South Side, I felt perfectly
safe. And what's more important,like for me, is that I also
had a lot of opportunities to learnthings pretty quickly and so you know,
your boys street wise, like Iknow how to get around, I know
what's what, and I think thatthat's actually helped to shape me as the
capable adult that I am now.That being said, you know, I
(02:57):
grew up really close to family.My GiMA stayed like right across the way
from me, and we would goover there where my mom had to work
after school or whatever, and wewould go over there and like half seapovers
and she would be watching you know, Zvinuli and like I'd like little local
Chicago things, you know, stufflike that. And having that time with
(03:19):
family being so close, and alsoknowing that I could play on my block
and there'd be a cousin or anuncle or whatever. Family was always really
around and really close, and thatwas one of my favorite parts of growing
up there. I felt taken careof. Well, I'm growing around family.
You know, that's something the youngergenerations are just not doing, you
know, especially like you know meon the La side, we didn't have
that family dynamic. Everybody is sofar removed. So that is very special
(03:44):
that you have that. Now.You got into theater doing plays as a
kid. Your mom enrolled you inthe after school matters program, you know,
right around puberty fifteen years old.Tell me what being part of theater
was for you at that time whenboys were supposed to grow up as men,
especially in the black culture, especiallyyou know what we think of as
Chicago. Was there any backlash fromanyone? Uh from you loving the arts
(04:06):
and being a part of that world. What was super fascinating was, um
there was you know, not toget super sob story for me, but
you get a story. We're herefor it. Were sorry you get the
Kleenex because here we are. NoBut I mean, you know, I
think that the tea is you know, I'm I'm I'm a little bit older
(04:27):
than some of the young young queerscoming out you know now, And I
think that there are conversations and dialogueand discourse that exists now, you know,
not unilaterally across the board of course, UM, but you know coming
out or just the celebration of peoplebeing who they are. I think that
there is more conversation at least aroundthat. Um. And So around that
(04:51):
time where I was, you know, again fifteen, I wasn't just discovering
the arts, you know what I'msaying. So well, I found out
some things about myself around that timeas well that didn't necessarily jive with the
way that I was brought up.Interestingly enough, the arts actually served as
a bit of a bridge between meand my family around that time growing up,
(05:14):
because they believed in me and thatregard and it was something that I
was passionate about and was good at, and so they encouraged it. Well,
that's very special when we know,you know, theater has been such
a safe split, safe space formany from from our community. UM.
You said, You've said an interviewthat you were kind of lost at sea
(05:38):
regarding your sexuality. What did youkind of first get the inclination that you
weren't like the other boys, andwhat kind of gave you that courage to
come out? I think, youknow, my journey with who I am
has been a hard fought journey,a hard fought arrival. When I was
(06:02):
younger, it was more so alabel that was put on me that I
felt like I had to buck orI felt like I had to I just
need. I thought that I neededto present in a way that was not
you know, queer or not gayor not you know, quote unquote effeminate,
(06:26):
because where I grew up, whenI grew up, it was a
lot of people othering me and andusing you know, gay synonymous with something
bad or not good. And ofcourse this is this isn't a unique experience
whatsoever, you know, But um, it took me longer to fully understand
(06:50):
and recognize the parts of me thatwere just kind of inherently me and very
real because I spent so much timedenying those parts of me. So even
though yes I encountered some stuff whenI was fifteen, I spent years trying
to convince myself otherwise or trying toyou know, So you have that wild
(07:12):
pendulum of just swinging back and forthand back and forth, and that part
of you doesn't get enough light,so it starts to it starts to kind
of like fester or or or woltin the dark. And those parts of
me I went through. You know, one of the one of the series
that I created when I was figuringout how to be an artist, it's
(07:36):
called The Tea and it's it's reallyabout that time of experiencing some elements of
of not taking care of myself inthe best way that I could in regards
to my to my queerness or mypractices or within relationship with people. Um.
So you know, I just sayall that to say it was a
(07:57):
long and twisty road to get tome being happy and healthy in my queerness
and open and dare I say proud? Yeah? Well, and you know,
I mean, what a special rolemodel you are. You know,
you're not growing up with these outblack queer you know men out you know
in Hollywood or you know visibility.It's like you didn't have that growing up
(08:20):
and now you are that for awhole you know an audience. Um,
Um, that's that's that's okay.We're gonna lighten up a little bit.
Um. We have to talk aboutkid Nation. For those that don't know,
kid Nation was a reality show literallyput a group of kids left to
their own devices aka Lord of theFlies to create a nation government at all.
(08:43):
What what was that experienced like?And you actually walked away with a
chunk of change? No, youdid not just bring I had to.
I remember when the show came out. I was like, you do not
hell is this? It was Ohmy gosh, you know, being where
(09:11):
I'm from and having an opportunity tolike just represent myself. It was like
the first extended period of time thatI was away from my family and my
parents, and so to kind offind out who I was just in context
(09:33):
of the world was actually really fun, you know. And that experience for
me on Kidnation was I'm not evengonna lie, like, it's one that
I really cherished. It was wild. The nights were cold, you know,
we had to win basic necessities likelike I don't know, sleeping beds,
(09:54):
and yeah, I remember all ofthat stuff. So, I mean,
it was a little while, butit was. It's a really formative
time for me, an informative timefor me. I loved it. I
had fun. One of my fondestmemories is jumping into a giant frying pan
filled with baked beans and live pigs. Like you can't make it up,
(10:15):
but it's funny, you do.Related. It's like that's when you found
yourself. It was like going awayfor college for yourself. Well, you're
you're unhinged by all these like peerpressure, societal pressure. You're literally in
this kind of you know, newnew world so to speak. You know,
and what we see from the youngergeneration is, you know, you're
not born with racism, you're notborn with bigotry, You're not born with
all of these kind of predispositions.That's all taught to you. So to
(10:39):
be surrounded by peers who were workingtowards a certain goal, Um, you
know, I'm not sure. I'mnot sure who would survive if we were
to do that show again. Imean it would be a little bit of
an expert. I mean, Iremember that show got so controversial and I
wasn't expecting you too, like theLord of the Flies reference was all up
(11:00):
in the press or like child laboredthat and ah, and I was.
I basically went to summer camp forthe first time and got paid for it.
And you're right, I walked upwith a chunk of money and it
felt good good. In your earlytwenties not so long ago, you did
a lot of theater in Chicago,Starter's Hamlet, Goodman Theater, Gift Theater.
What is it about Chicago theater thatyou learned the most about acting that
(11:22):
you think is pretty unique to Chicagotheater. Wow, that's a fantastic question.
Um. I mean my experience intheater and kind of cutting my teeth
here is that I kind of Ilearned a lot, Like I just learned
a lot about how to make theater. And the thing that's really fantastic I
(11:43):
think about Chicago is that there isif there's any kind of if you encounter
any kind of ego at all,at the very least, the art comes
first, you know. And soeven I've had some like wild experiences just
like you know, because people arepeople and they will be people in I
(12:05):
have learned the most valuable lessons Ithink about how to take care of your
instrument, your body, yourself inorder to show up and meet the demands
of the work. I've done stuffwhere I did you know, Moby Dick
at Looking Glass Theater back and Iwant to say twenty fifteen, where I
(12:28):
had never done physical theater before,so it was out of the frying pan
into the fire and you just goand you learn. And the amount of
support that I had around me inthat process was pretty amazing. Like I
literally did a whole like basically likeSilks routine, you know what I'm saying,
Like the amount of upper body strengththat takes is nuts, and that
(12:48):
was the first time I've ever doneit, and just the way everybody rallied
around. I do feel like thatcan be an experience sometimes that is a
little bit unique UM to Chicago theaterbecause there is a sense of community for
better or for worse that exists here. Now you were part of that,
(13:09):
graduating from youth theater, which youknow, we all have our experiences doing
theater as youth to graduate into doingyou know, critically acclaimed roles at you
know, really important theater houses.Um. Do you subscribe to any kind
of acting style? Did that evolveyou just walk in and you're an actor
or are you like, oh,I'm a staunch you know, Uh yeah,
(13:35):
baby, let me get I'm notgoing to turn this into a Lady
Gaga interview. Um. Another club, another club, another theater another theater.
But I it's a little bit I'ma little Frankenstein, you know,
And I honestly, I kind offeel like the actors that I haven't counted
(14:00):
that I love watching the most areusually the ones who just borrow and steal
and then turn it into something thatis uniquely them and that they are uniquely
suited too, because I think oneof the biggest things that we tend to
overlook when we're talking about technique inthe craft is essence, right, and
(14:22):
you will hear more and more likea Violet Davis or someone talking about or
even like I think Rachel mcden's hadan interview recently, but she's talking about
this where it's just like, thethings that make you uniquely you are some
of the most important, you know, aspects of building a character, building
a role, stepping into into aworld and fully inhabiting it. You have
(14:48):
to bring parts of yourself to it. But what's the really fun part for
me is being like, Okay,like this character might get upset the way
that I've seen my get upset,which is like angry, crying and like
like a kind of low level oftalk, like of talking where it's not
like loud and yelling, but it'sintense and just finding the variances and nuances
(15:13):
that exists from person the person andhow they handle different situations. I think
is it's just the most the mostfun. And in terms of whether it's
Stanislovski or it's um Meisner or whatever, it is, really and truly,
I think whatever just helps you getthere is the best method. Well.
(15:35):
And as an actually you have tobe fluid, you have to be available,
you know, to respond in differentways. That's what makes an actor
or an actor. And it's almosta paradox to like the LGBTQ community,
if you stick with one idea ofwhat you think this is and you don't
think outside that box, it's solimiting. You know, it needs to
be this kind of fluid energy.Um, okay, so we're gonna have
(15:56):
to, like you said, fromfrom the frying pan into the fire.
So we have to talk about ChicagoFire. Um, Darren Ritter supposed to
be around for two or three episodesthen you know, Series Regular twenty twenty.
Here we are Chicago Fire. Clearlynot theater. How did that audition
come about? So you really knowyourself? This is like so awesome period.
(16:21):
UM. So I was actually doingthe production that you had mentioned of
Hamlet UM with my friend Netta Walkeras my Ophelia. I was Hamlet,
she was Ophelia critically acclaimed by theway critically acclaimed Um. And I remember
I had like my friend Monte coleUm directed that production at the Gift Theater,
(16:42):
and I remember going into that audition. I had like I had had
time off between filming my web seriesin the start of that production, and
I remember I walked in and Iwas blond and like doing my own thing
and whatever, and he like justate it up and loved it. And
so I was doing that. Ibooked it, and I was doing that
show and we were I think maybethree weeks from finishing the run when I
(17:06):
had the audition for Chicago Fire andI went into the casting office and I
auditioned for something else. In thecasting agent Claire Simon was like, because
and this is true, that shehad seen me essentially grow up a little
bit, because I'd been auditioning,you know, since I left school,
(17:27):
and I was like a lot younger. I had like hair, it was
like I had like logs. Itwas like a whole thing. When they
first saw me and she's like,you've become such a wonderful actent. I
was like, oh my god,thank you girl. And so then she
ended up calling me in for thisother role in Chicago Fire, because I
think that was for PD my initialaudition and I had just like made this
web series. I was doing ahamlet, which was a bucket list role,
(17:48):
but you know, it wasn't awhole lot of pay, and I
was looking around at my life girland I said, I'm broke, and
I was like, I need tojust go work in somebody's restaurant some money.
So I was like, no,I'm not gonna do the audition,
and my agents were like you shoulddo it. They were like, why
don't you just look at it andsae like. So I looked at it.
I looked at the material that theyhad for the role, and it
(18:11):
was Ritter and it's awesome. Itwas so it was it was. It
landed on me in a way whereI was like, Okay, let me
just play around with it. Andthen I played around with it and I
really loved him. So I wentinto the audition and it was blonde hair,
(18:32):
blue eyes everywhere, and I saidOkay, this role is not for
me, you know what I'm saying, like, because sometimes that's just how
it works. Sometimes there's a specificlook or whatever which is it is what
it is, let's see industry.And I didn't think I was gonna get
it, so but I I wentin and I just and I did it.
And and then I went before thedirector of that first episode, res
(18:52):
A Tabreezy, who was an executiveproducer on our show now, and he
was like you, and I waslike wait, I was like, period,
then I don't know. And thenI was really grateful that my reps
said go and do this audition becauseyou know, now here I am five
seasons later, pretty nuts. Itfeels, it feels amazing. It feels
(19:18):
really really good because I'm I'm athome. I'm at home here, I'm
at home in the role, andthere's so many parts of Ritter that um
speak to parts of me and viceversa, and it's a really fantastic job
to have well and then speak tothe audience as well. You know,
we know Dick Wolf fans can bepretty intense when they love a character.
(19:40):
They love a character. But Iwant to know about your your first day
of filming. Like I said,it's a dick Wolf NBC extravagans up.
You were like super nervous and youwere like, oh crap, like or
you know, did it just didit just come easily for you? Oh?
My gosh. I was extremely tiredbecause because I'm you know, I'd
(20:02):
literally gotten on the stage during him, and then the next the next morning,
it was like up at four orforty five in the morning, and
so anyway, got there and everyonewas just so energetic because I remember that
was the cast who had already beenthere and I was stepping into you know,
Christian Sulty, David Eigenberg and walklike everyone. It was their first
(20:29):
day back filming, so they wereall happy to see each other and so
much energy. And I'm just likein the van on the way to the
set, like, okay, makesure I know my lines. Make sure
I know my lines, you know, like that kind of energy. It
was a very nerve wracking day.There were like four cameras in my face.
They're pumping smoke through a stairwell.It's like ninety or almost one hundred
(20:51):
degrees outside, so it's hotter inthe stairwell. There's like these lights you
know, and it was my firsttime on a big set, so I
and I've just had to get lockedin and narrow down my world so that
I could really my my zone.Focus became really tight until and then they
say, any I got through theday, you know, but it was
(21:12):
it was like something out of adream for me. Um. And you
know some some actors like freeze upand they just can't like get through that
kind of environment. Um, Iwant you to not be humble. Uh,
what do you think it is aboutyou that made them keep you around
for so long? Wait? Ikind of love you. Um what is
(21:37):
it about me? I think thatI was probably something they hadn't seen before
in the context of that world.Yeah. Um. And because I'm still
here and I'm and I'm still umsurprising them and I'm and I'm fully present,
(22:00):
I think it's something that the showneeded. I am someone that the
show needed. I absolutely love that. Now as an openly queer actor going
on a show like that, youknow, there's no going back. Like
I said, those fans are intense. Your life is your life. Those
fans will make their own little wikipediaabout you. There's nothing that you can
(22:22):
kind of keep secret in terms ofletting the nation know that, yes,
I'm an openly queer actor, youknow, playing this queer character. There's
no going back. Did you haveany like, you know, fear of
that kind of step from going fromYeah, I'm known in the theater world
too. Now I'm going to bean international presence in a Dick Wolf production.
I I wish that I could saythat there, that there wasn't a
(22:47):
little bit of fear. I thinkit's very much how you how you've phrased
it. There is no there's nogoing back, you know. And um,
when I had written my web series, that was my for me,
that was my coming out to mycommunity. Um, and you know,
it was a small little series,but it was a love letter to my
(23:11):
journey into where I was at thetime of creating it. And it was
just so wild to kind of likehave that not exactly coincide, mind you,
because a writer doesn't come out onthe show until my second season,
so season season eight, I believeepisode something or rather, don't quote me
(23:33):
on that, but I think itwas the second episode. But anyway,
Um, yeah, I just atfirst, I was really scared, um
because I felt even though I want, I want to be out there,
and I want to be received formy work. I was also pretty private
(23:56):
about certain things in my life andprotective over that part of me. And
then I just was thinking about itand working on that scene. And then
I got excited, which I thinkis often the case. Sometimes when you
make it to the other side offear, you find your excitement. And
(24:19):
I got excited, and I wasjust like, what a wonderful story to
get to tell and to step intoHoly I said, you know what.
And because I'm a I'm a personthat believes in representation, I was like,
yeah, I am a queer blackman. Who is who gets the
(24:41):
opportunity to play a queer black manon this show that has such a massive
impact. And so then it justbecame about wanting to do it justice well,
to have a queer voice and ashow that deals with firefighters. We
know, it's very hyper masculine industry, our idea of firefight, you know,
it's all of that. It's like, you know, this, this
(25:02):
is what a masculine seeming environment reallyis. It's composed of all different kinds
of men and women, and soI absolutely love that they've gone there with
the show. Um, now,like you said, we're talking about five
seasons, which in actor years islike a hundred years. Okay, how
have you changed the most as anactor from these past five seasons. The
(25:26):
biggest thing, I think is confidence. That's been the biggest change for me.
You know, this is the firstshow that I have done, the
first television show that I've done,and so there is always something new to
learn. Even now, I'm stilllearning a lot. But I think when
you're first stepping into it, itcan be a little daunting or feel a
(25:47):
little daunting. But now I kindof live for those moments where I learned
something new on our set and Ilook around and you know, there's the
crew, the DP and the gaffersand the grips and everyone who have something
to teach if you're willing to openup your eyes and learn and a little
bit. And that's one of myfavorite parts of my job now is that
(26:10):
I just get to be curious,and so I have confidence in that curiosity,
you know what I mean. It'slike, it's not about getting getting
it right, because I think thatcan take you out of yourself. Right.
It's about being present and being receptiveand being open, and I think
that curiosity leads to that openness,and that openness for me leads to confidence
(26:33):
in my role. I absolutely lovethat and I think it's that vulnerability like
you have on your social media,and I think that's why fans love you
so much, as like you aredown to earth. Some people book their
first big role, then they getpicked up as a series regular, and
then there's just like this ego thatcomes out and it's like this curated Instagram
that comes out. It's like youknow, and it's like, no,
you are, you are very available, you are very down to earth.
(26:55):
Now, how do you think you'vechanged the most as a person as Daniel,
a person, not as an actor? Um? How much of that
change the person? I think thatI have a better sense of of my
own self worth and I do thinkthat it largely exists outside of my work
(27:22):
now, which is such a refreshingthing to have and to say, Um,
but being surrounded by so many justaffirming and positive people day in and
day out, because this really isone of the best jobs because of the
people. To be honest with you, it has really poured back into me
(27:48):
what I what I give out,and that in itself has been really affirming
and really and really fantastic. AndI just feel I've grown a lot,
and I've learned a lot about myselfand just a lot about yeah, how
to take care of me. Andalso it's okay to put yourself first sometimes.
Yeah, yeah, I picked upalong the way. Um okay,
(28:12):
I've been listening to the song overand over for the past few days.
Don't be afraid of Love. It'smy new jam. I had no idea,
what is this hidden talent. Ihad no idea you were such a
consummate singer, and not just asinger actor, but a singer. Don't
be Afraid of Love. Everybody canstream it anywhere. It's such a mix
of everything I love. Your voiceis like velvet as to the sixties texture
(28:36):
soul, a dash of Bruno Marsin there. Where is more of your
singing? I first of all,come on dash with Bruno Mars. I
am currently working on my debut projectwith a longtime friend of mine named Danny
Classic, who is a producer workinghere in Chicago. We have written about
(29:03):
five songs, and you know,for me, it's just I am a
little bit I can be a littlebit of a perfectionist sometimes so there are
some things that I'm working on anddoing a little bit behind the scenes to
just kind of prepare for when thatwill hit the airwaves, which I am
(29:23):
actually confident will be this year.So you'll get a little bit more of
that, But you'll also get tosee aside of me because that Don't Be
Afraid of Love is a project thatI was working on with some other friends
of mine in the industry who hada specific creative vision, so write that
kind of retro sound. This time, you're gonna get a little bit more
of me and a little bit moreof my or the artists that I've listened
(29:48):
to that inspire me. So you'regonna get to like catch some of that.
But I'm I'm I'm really excited,and I'm really happy that you brought
that up. Well. And thenonce that comes out, then we're gonna
see your concert performance in LA inNew York. Right, that's absolutely the
plan, right, come on,we will be here for it. Um.
Okay, let's talk about you're behindthe camera experience like you like you
(30:11):
mentioned directing, writing, starting inthe t EP for the short six feet
Apart is behind the camera. Isthat some work that you want to do
more of Does does that have anyinterest for you? Um? Doing work
behind the camera is something that reallyinterests me because, UM, in my
own work, I like to practicesomething that I call radical representation, which
(30:33):
means that you know, for instance, on the set of The Tum,
most of our cast and crew werequeer or trans or phem in some way
or you know, bipoc um.And you know, obviously like not everyone,
but we made a push, avery conscious effort to make sure that
(30:56):
that was something that was reflected notjust in UM on camera on screen,
right, UM, And I dothink that behind the camera, Like,
as an actor, you know,my job is to say the words and
tell the story. UM, butI don't one percent of the time,
(31:19):
at least, I don't get tonecessarily dictate the direction that those stories take.
Behind the camera, I have alittle bit more agency in that regard.
UM. Now, obviously, asan actor, I can argue for
my character different things or whatever.But in this instance, you know,
behind the behind the camera, Ithink is where I can do I can
(31:42):
more diligently align with my beliefs inradical representation. Um. You know,
because even six feet apart, asyou mentioned, you know, that is
something that explores Mexican dad, queerness, masculinity. And it actually you know,
written by Isaac Gomez. Um,it actually filmed in El Paso and
(32:04):
that surrounding area, and a lotof the cast and crew were folks from
that actual community. And so thingslike that, you know, filming on
location and making sure that it's amajority Latin cast and crew, um,
and make sure they were local.Like, those are all things that I'm
passionate about. And so if Iam running a set or producing on a
(32:29):
set or anything like that, thatis a push that I have for making
that the norm well and how tomake changes, like you have to make
change behind the scenes before it'll happenin front of the scenes one hundred percent.
Okay, last question, does itbother you that many of the headlines
read queer actor gay actor Daniel It'slike, well, I'm an actor.
(32:52):
Is that label used as just likea media grabbing headline or is it important?
Um? I think that its levelof import can sometimes be a bit
inflated, but I do think thatthere is depending on where a person is
(33:12):
in their own journey around perhaps understanding. I hate to use the word accepting,
so I won't. But understanding queernessand stepping outside of themselves enough to
actually investigate with curiosity, then Ithink a headline like that might do its
(33:32):
job and grab the attention of someone. Do I think it's necessary all the
time? Absolutely not at the sameby the same token as an out you
know, queer black man. I'mso chill with that. I'm like,
yeah, like I'm queer because Ifind such joy in my identity now that
(33:53):
I never or that I didn't growup with that. It feels just good
to see a headline like that sometimes, you know where it's like, here's
this queer man and just like AngelaBassett doing the thing. Okay, it's
(34:13):
good to see. It's good tobe a part of, and I'm happy
it's about me. I absolutely lovethat. Oh real, real fast.
What is your message to your fans? My message to my fans, I
mean, y'all are real ones.Thanks for holding your boy down because they
do and I don't know, justmore life, Go live, go explore,
(34:42):
and as always be as curious asyou can be about the world around
you. I can't thank you enoughfor taking time out to chat with me
with us today. You know,I just love your story and I love
how we've kind of seen your evolution. It's it's so great. So thank
you, thank you, thank youso much, thank you. I appreciate
(35:04):
that. That has been another episodeof Metrosource Minis. You can follow Daniel
on Instagram at Daniel Kyrie and checkout my in depth chat with him on
the Pride issue of Metrosource on newsstandsor at metrosource dot com. I've been
your host to Alexander Rodriguez. Youcan follow me on Instagram at Alexander is
on Air, Happy Pride, anduntil next time, stay true and do
you boom. That has been anotherMetrosource Mini Like shared, subscribe on your
(35:34):
favorite podcast player, and check outthe latest issue of Metrosource magazine on newstands
or online at metrosource dot com.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram at metrosource
and on Twitter at metrosource mats.Until next time, da
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