Late-Night Host James Corden Is Being Slammed By Critics For Playing Gay Character In New Netflix Movie — Many Are Calling It ‘Gay Face’

By
Jordan Andrews
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OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.

James Corden’s acting as a gay character in the new Netflix movie “The Prom” is being called “offensive,” “the worst gay-face,” and “horrifically bad.”

“There’s no beating around the bush: It’s painful to watch James Corden lean into effeminate gay stereotypes and play up sassy gay flourishes.”

“The inconsistency means that Corden is playing off crass gay stereotype rather than sublimating them into his character.”

“I’m only 3 minutes into The Prom movie and this James Corden performance is already giving bad gay stereotypes.”

“How the fuck did Ryan Murphy go from making The Boys in the Band, with an all gay cast to casting James Corden in #TheProm as one of the most offensively bad portrayals of a gay man I’ve ever seen.”

“Why on earth would they hire James Corden… a British, straight, TV show host that cant sing… to play a gay American Broadway actor… next to the amazing Andrew Rannells, who fits the role perfectly??”

“They couldn’t find ONE gay man in America? James Corden it is.”

“The main, and huge, drawback is James Corden. His performance is gross and offensive, the worst gayface in a long, long time. It’s horrifically bad.”

“[He’s] the best person for the job,” said Rannells.

“You know, I kinda I go back and forth about this.”

“Obviously, representation is very important, but what I feel that Ryan does so well is, you know, it’s the best person for the job, quite frankly.”

“In the same way that James can play the gay character, he’s also given me an opportunity to play a straight character, which is not something I do all the time.”

“As much as [Murphy] takes [an actor’s sexuality] into consideration, I think ultimately he’s looking for talent and parts, and he’s given me the opportunity to play this part which maybe another director wouldn’t have cast me in, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”