As I was running back, they started throwing rocks at me. They were like: “we’re not playing with you because my brother says you’re a mariposa (translates to butterfly).” I didn’t know what that negative connotation was, but it was referring to being queer. I remember I went to Mexico at six years old and went to play with the neighborhood kids. My coming out was… my mum knew I was growing up. There’s an old Spanish saying that translates to “what you can see, you don’t ask.” I’ve always been my true authentic self and that either worries people or threatens them. Guillén: For so long, there’s always the whispers and people asking you but it’s no one’s business. Paste: If you’re willing to share, what was your coming out experience like? It’s important for me to do that because we’re making a comedy, but his story is human. I pride myself on playing Guillermo where we sprinkle enough of him in each season that it is linear and cohesive to his trajectory. I think that’s what’s great about our show, it took us four seasons, almost half a decade, to tell the audience that Guillermo comes out because it is good to see this slow burn. Then we see his face and I think the audience’s speculation was right. In true fashion of our show, it’s broken with the most hilarious bit. He was about to say it, and that’s when Sean comes over. They’re all genuinely curious, leaning in, and this is the moment. ![]() We can’t forget, it’s a comedy, and sees he has all their attention for the first time in 13 years. Paste: It’s interesting that Guillermo desperately desires to be a vampire and yet it is his coming out moment that sees him more comfortable in the world of vampires than ever before. The only thing he fears is the actual family knowing and after the last episode, it’s all out. Will that happen in the future? We’re yet to find out. Guillermo is not sharing his love interest or story with anyone. Also, he’s in the middle of helping his best friend plan a wedding and Guillermo’s not the type to take the thunder away from someone. Why does come back from London and keep it a secret? He’s managing a love life secretly because he would never put himself in the spotlight. The vampires made it very clear, as hard and painful as it’s been for them to show any kind of interest because these vampires are self-absorbed and selfish, that they don’t care if you like boys or like girls. A coming out, however, doesn’t seem particularly necessary for Guillermo and the vampires. Paste: We’ve watched you play Guillermo for three and a half seasons now and there’s been a slow build-up to this coming out moment. It’s a great way to get a message across with comedy, because you’ve dropped your guard, and you’re more willing and open, so while you’re looking for the next joke you see this moment with this Mexican family who is loving and caring and may become aspirational. It was more of a good, aspirational story to anyone watching the show. I wanted to really show this is possible, not every family turns their back on their child. Guillén: It was! Being of Mexican descent, grew up with a lot of machismo and negative connotations that go with being queer in the culture and community. I presume that the uplifting portrayal of a Mexican-descendent family was an important factor to come across in the scene for you? Paste: It was interesting that Guillermo’s family had a stronger reaction to him saying he wants to be a vampire than when he says he’s gay. The edited version we have is because, at the end of the day, they’re making a comedy so they wanted to make it light but also make a great point. They hugged me and it was a really great embrace. Then the actress who plays my mom started to cry and then the whole family started to cry. I don’t even think we could have even used the footage because I was just a crying mess. The whole scene played out in different ways, but one of the first times we did it, it was very emotional. I’m glad that Guillermo is finally himself, proud and happy. You don’t want to disappoint them or be scared to be your authentic self. I feel like sometimes it’s hard when you’re growing up in a small town, religious family or different upbringing, it’s hard to completely be your authentic self sometimes because you’ve established this persona and the idea of what everyone likes you to be and what they see you as. Part of his road to understanding who he is was to have that freedom to be in a different country with different people and a different atmosphere. ![]() moving to London for a year with Nadja opened up his world, and he comes back more confident and more sure of himself. Harvey Guillén: We asked the question early on, and obviously, with the relationship between Guillermo and Nandor of “wait, is he? Isn’t he?” Even when people are asking him, he says things like he doesn’t kiss and tell. Paste: How long has Guillermo’s coming out scene been in the works?
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