Nick Jonas: “I’m No Gay Icon”

Superstud actor/singer/tireless LGBT ally Nick Jonas says that he doesn’t think of himself as a gay icon – even if everyone ELSE uses the label him to describe him. “It’s an honor,” he told L’Uomo Vogue, “but I don’t think of myself as an icon. There should be a lot more straight artists who don’t have a problem with having gay fans. I’m really proud to play gay characters and I’ll continue to do so. I think it’s among the challenges of maturing as an actor”

He is one of the good guys, isn’t he? As for being an actual gay icon, though, the decision is pretty evenly split, with many people saying you should prooooooobably be around a little longer before you can be declared an “icon”. Others are saying he’s earned it “for his portrayal of a closeted gay boxer on Kingdom, a gay(ish) frat bro on Scream Queens, plus performances at gay nightclubs, and his willingness to court gay fans (using his shirtless self if need-be).”

Says one Towleroad commenter:

Nick has definitely earned it. Other than James Franco, and occasionally his brother, I can’t think of any male celebrity who works as hard to keep us happy, for no apparent reason. And I appreciate that.

Whether he can keep this status, I think depends on what he does with it going forward. Will he stand up for an issue of ours? Will he write or sing music for us (lyrically)?

What do YOU think? Has Nick earned his icon status? Or should we reserve that honor for our elders?