Rafael de la Fuente can rightfully claim his place in Hollywood thanks to his appearance in “Empire.” What you might not know is that he was initially not interested in acting, but instead wanted to cultivate the musical gift he inherited from his father. However, destiny has a way of connecting you to what you’re meant to be, and it only took one person to make Rafael want to pursue acting full time. Here is more about the talented actor.
1. He was proud to play a gay character
Representation has become the goal of every show that is trying to make it in Hollywood, as people are now more than ever eager to fight for their right to be heard and seen. “Empire” is one of the many shows that have gone ahead to include gay characters, and Rafael playing a gay minority character could not have been prouder. He said his joy was to have those who support the LGBTQ community tweeting with positive feedback.
2. His sexuality
Many actors have been assumed to be gay after playing gay characters. People like Sean Penn, Eddie Cibrian, and Eric Stonestreet put on such an impressive performance that some fans speculated they were gay. While these are all straight men playing gay characters, Rafael is not. It may have taken him a while before coming out, but the fact that he admitted to enjoying being a character in “Empire” and “Dynasty” may have given us a clue. Therefore, it was no surprise when he posted on social media that he was a proud queer man.
3. Why he got the nickname “honorary Australian.”
Rafael confessed to Daily Mail that his friends call him an “honorary Australian” and it is with good reason. Firstly, Rafael has had two onscreen boyfriends who are from Australia. Additionally, the actor has loads of friends from the country and has visited there at least three times. He loves Australia so much that not only does he enjoy its cuisine, but he also loves Vegemite, can sing the national anthem and recite the Advance Australia Fair.
4. He still has a special place in his heart for Venezuela
Although he said that Venezuela was going through a difficult time, he still loves it, and to him, it will always be home. The country’s situation had forced many citizens, including his parents, to leave in search of better opportunities. Nevertheless, according to Rafael, Venezuelans always carry their warmth, food, and lifestyle wherever they go. Despite his strong love for Venezuela, by 2018, he had not visited the country in 13 years. Nonetheless, one thing he always cherishes is the arepa breakfast he usually has as often as possible.
5. Why being on “When We Rise” meant so much to him
By the time Rafael was cast in “When We Rise,” he had not yet come out of the closet. Nevertheless, he had always been passionate about playing characters that gave a voice to the LGBTQ community. Consequently, he felt privileged to be in a movie based on true events, featuring people who fought for the rights of the LGBTQ community. This experience made him aware of the struggles people faced in their fight for equality. As a result, he has become more empathetic, especially after playing a character living with AIDS.
6. How he spends his free time
Even without Rafael saying it, you can easily conclude from his Instagram pictures that he likes keeping fit and proudly displays his muscles. Consequently, in his free time, you will most likely find Rafael in the gym or engaging in some outdoor activities as he is also a lover of wildlife and nature. What may surprise you, however, is that while he is mainly known for being an actor, singing is his first love and biggest passion. Nevertheless, since he is making money, the actor is not opposed to some fine wine and high-quality food.
7. His take on what made him a renowned actor
Currently, Rafael is widely known for his role in “Dynasty,” but he has been in the entertainment industry for quite some time. He recalls that “Grachi” helped him gain international recognition since he filmed over 200 episodes, although it was not aired in the United States. This show ensured that he got his break in the industry, but it was not until he was cast in “Empire” that Rafael was widely recognized in Hollywood. Nonetheless, it was with “Dynasty” that the actor got the most significant opportunity he had been waiting for in his career, as he told Hydrogen Magazine.
8. How he fell in love with acting
Rafael was not originally set on becoming an actor; his sights were set on the stage, but only as a singer. Therefore, even when he joined drama workshops in high school, acting was not part of his plan. That all changed when a casting director visited Rafael’s father in his office and saw Rafael’s picture. The director ended up asking Rafael to go to an audition for a show. When Rafael read the scene and got the part, he knew that he was meant to be an actor, thus dedicating all his effort to perfecting his skill.
9. How he prepared to be on “Empire.”
“Empire” was the first show in which Rafael was portraying a gay character, so he felt he needed to prepare for it like he would any other role. To do this, he familiarized himself with Danny Strong’s and Lee Daniels’s work. Additionally, since the show centered on the hip-hop community, Rafael made sure to know what was expected of him by watching shows such as “Hustle and Flow.” He must have made an impression on Lee Daniels, as by the end of the first season, Lee told Rafael that he had already been written into the second season.
10. He did an intimate scene with Jussie Smollett the day they met
For most shows, the cast usually gets to bond during table reads and establish some chemistry in readiness for filming. However, for Rafael and Jussie, they did not have that opportunity. Instead, Rafael met Jussie in the makeup trailer, and they talked about what they were ready to do before shooting the scene. From there came the need to make out, as Rafael told Newnownext.
Follow Us
