'Wtf does that mean': Internet baffled as ‘Glee’ star Darren Criss calls himself ’culturally queer’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Darren Criss, known for his role as Blaine Anderson on the hit series 'Glee', recently opened up about his connection to the LGBTQ+ community and the significance of his character's relationship on television.

While Criss identifies as a straight, cisgender man, he attributes his understanding of LGBTQ+ issues to his upbringing in San Francisco, California, during the '90s. At the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Criss expressed gratitude for portraying a groundbreaking gay relationship on mainstream television, emphasizing the importance of representation.

Criss replied, "It was f---ing awesome. Nowadays, we just call it a relationship on TV. But to contextualize it, a gay relationship on mainstream Fox, that's a pretty cool thing to be a part of," he said, adding emphasis when naming the network.

Darren Criss reflects on 'culturally queer' identity and impact of 'Glee' role

Reflecting on his cultural influences, Criss described himself as "culturally queer," acknowledging the profound impact of queer communities on his life. He highlighted the diverse perspectives and experiences he encountered in San Francisco, which shaped his perspective and instilled a deep appreciation for LGBTQ+ culture.

"I have been so culturally queer my whole life," he continued while appearing on a panel over the weekend. "Not because I'm trying — you know I was gonna say not because I'm trying to be cool but I'm going to erase that because I am trying to be cool. The things in my life that I have tried to emulate, learn from, and be inspired by are 100 percent queer as f---."

"It was in queer communities that I've found people that I idolize, that I want to learn something from," he said. "And I'd say that's a gross generalization, that's a lot of things and many people. But I grew up in San Francisco in the '90s. I watched men die. There was an awareness of the gay experience that was not a foreign concept to me. So, it was a narrative that I cared deeply about."

Furthermore, he clarified that he did not feel any ownership or entitlement over the role, but rather a sense of responsibility. "I wasn't like, 'I'm the man for the job,'" he explained. "They hired me...They said, 'You're the guy,' and I said, 'Okay, I'm the guy, I will do my best. I will do my best to talk about it in the way I believe and a way that I'm passionate about."

Criss played Blaine Anderson across five seasons of Glee's six-season run. Initially introduced as an openly gay student at Dalton Academy and a member of the Warblers in season 2, he became a recurring character throughout the season. By season 3, Criss was promoted to a series regular, and Blaine transferred to William McKinley High School, joining Kurt and the New Directions. As the series concluded, Blaine and Kurt found happiness together, overcoming various challenges to be happily married.

For Criss, the most meaningful aspect of his experience on Glee was the show's legacy of portraying a relationship on television that many people hadn't seen before.

"In many ways, I'm glad it was me because it was a thing I really liked showing," he reflected.

"It meant a great deal to me and it meant a great deal to other people. Because when people say they were affected by that show or that relationship, it's not because of me, it's because of that relationship on TV and the risks that people took to put that on TV."

"It took the people watching it to have the aptitude for seeing beyond what was maybe given to them in other avenues of culture. People of all ages, all spectrums of awareness say, 'I didn't grow up with a show like that and it was a really meaningful thing for me to see,' and I go I didn't grow up with a show like that and that would've been very meaningful for me too. Even though I'm a straight kid. That has value. For anyone who's been an underdog, we all know, in any shape or form — sexual, religious, biological — it has value because there's going to be a lot of people who see that and say, 'Okay, I can now understand this in a context that maybe I wasn't able to before."

"It was a f-ing privilege," he concluded, "and I love talking about it and I'm so grateful I got to do it."

Darren Criss sparks debate with declaration of being 'culturally queer'

In a recent revelation, former 'Glee' star Darren Criss has left fans puzzled after declaring himself as "culturally queer," prompting a flurry of reactions on social media.

One user expressed skepticism about Criss's assertion, suggesting that his convincing portrayal of the gay character Blaine Anderson on "Glee" raised doubts about his sexual orientation.

One user wrote, "OK real talk… On the spectrum of possibilities, I do not believe he is 100% straight. He played that part too well… I was honestly surprised when he married a woman. I’m all for him being a super ally but to identify As a culture and history that isn’t his because he made a lot of money in the process is kinda ick."

Another user wrote, "Culturally is that a word or are we just making that up like we're making up everything else just curious I get it you might like males and females if that's the case aren't you bisexual then cool enjoy be safe bye."

Another user commented, "Ok... I have seen his video now and I guess I get what he's trying to say!! Ok. Fine"

The other user wrote, "Wtf does that mean?"

"Did ANYONE on Earth want to know this?" a user said.

 This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.