'Glee's' Darren Criss Named New Star Of The Year

Darren Criss has won the 2010 Greggy Award for his portrayal of out-and

-proud student Blaine on the Fox musical-comedy Glee.

The annual award is handed out by gay entertainment website GregInHollywood.com, which is edited by longtime Hollywood

corresponded.

Greg Hernandez.

“It's so exciting when someone you have never heard of just bursts onto

the scene and dazzles us with their talent and personality,” Hernandez

“That is what happened this fall when Darren Criss debuted on Glee as

Blaine, a member of a rival high school singing group who is openly

gay and befriends Kurt (Chris Colfer).”

The introduction of Criss – and a third gay character, closeted football

player Dave Karofsky, played by Max Adler – has turned Glee into one

of the most gay inclusive shows on network television.

The 23-year-old San Francisco native has said he's honored to play gay

student Blaine and is not concerned about being typecast as the gay kid.

Blaine “makes such a great addition to the many-colored palette that is

Glee. So as far as me having any reservations about it, no,” Criss told

Interview magazine. “I read it being like, this would be so cool, whoever

gets to play this, it's going to be a great thing for an already great show.”

And he added that his character has a lot of potential to have a positive

influence: “Of course, being gay really is an important part of who he is.

… It's a really positive thing, and I feel very privileged to be the vessel for

that, and I hope it speaks to a lot of people who struggle to find a model

for who they are and where they fit in.”

Adamfoxie blog Int.