The Sundance Film Festival jumped off this weekend in Utah and it premiered an unlikely aspiring actor. Kid Cudi who is more known for his alternative HipHop style debuted his film, “James White” , on day two of the festival.
It is not surprising that Kid Cudi is this serious about being an actor since he made his acting debut when he landed the lead role in HBO’s, ” How to Make it in America” , its more surprising about the kind of role he decided to play in this movie. Cudi, who’s real name is Scott Mescudi, was casted as the gay best friend to the leading character, Christopher Abbot, who plays a heterosexual character.
“This was way different than anything else I’ve ever done,” Cudi told Billboard prior to the film’s premiere. “It was dope to do that. I felt like I had a responsibility to present a different walk in life from that world.”
In the movie, Cudi was reportedly supposed to kiss another male character, but the scene was deleted. Kid didn’t even know that the scene had been cut until the premiere, and he wasn’t shy about expressing his disappointment.
“I’m mad they cut out my kissing scenes with David. We made out so many times and it was so good! That’s my only gripe.” He was also asked if there was any hesitation when it came to doing a romantic scene with another man and he responded, “No. My thing is what story are we trying to tell here, I didn’t flinch. I’m secure with mine. I’m an artist — it’s all about playing characters that are intriguing and stimulating.”
According to Billboard, the movie’s plot focuses on a young New Yorker struggling to make it through life when he feels there is an obstacle at every corner which includes the death of his father, his mother’s cancer and other deep personal demons.
The movie doesn’t openly talk about Cudi’s sexuality but he was reportedly supposed to come out of the closet with the kissing scene, a scene he felt was a crucial moment in the film. “When he comes out of the closet it’s not really a thing,” Cudi explained. “I think that’s something the world needs to see. ‘Cause it’s not a thing. We’re all equal.”
No word yet on if or when the film will be hitting theaters but it sounds like it will be a good one! Let chat below, with artists out like Young Thug and Lil B and now Kid Cudi, do you think the once taboo of homosexuality in HipHop is now becoming a trend?
SOURCES SITED: BILLBOARD.COM
https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/sundance-2015/6450862/kid-cudi-dishes-on-his-deleted-male-on-male-kissing-scenes-in-james-white-sundance
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