The duo also discussed how their romance blossomed offscreen, as it formed onscreen.
“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” stars Frankie Rodriguez and Joe Serafini make history by portraying the first gay romance in the “High School Musical” franchise – and the two are opening up to be a part of it. milestone in queer representation.
In the Disney + series, Rodriguez and Serafini respectively play Carlos Rodriguez and Sebastian “Seb” Smith. While chatting with TooFab, the actors – who also date in real life – reflected on their characters’ monumental history.
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“It’s unreal. It’s surreal that we can be the people telling this story and be the portrayal that we couldn’t see growing up,” began Serafini, 23. “I feel like it’s necessary and so important and I absolutely loved the way the show handled it. And working with it. [Rodriguez] is still just a dream. “
The couple also shared how LGBTQ + fans have responded to Carlos and Seb’s romance.
“One of the amazing things about social media is that you have a direct connection to the people who watch the show and you see in real time how people connect to the show and the characters,” he said. explained Rodriguez, 21. “I think one of the things that I have had and always enjoyed is one that is like:”[Your] the characters gave me the confidence to be myself or to come out to my family. And it’s just like, wow. That’s when you sit down and see the impact of these characters and what the show does. And so these are always the ones who make me happy. “
“People say our characters saved them. It’s just crazy to me,” Serafini added. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on us, but it’s really lovely that they find so much solace in our show and our characters.”
The duo also discussed how their romance blossomed offscreen, as it formed onscreen.
“Oh my God. Well, I think the first day I worked with Joe, they put him on the piano,” Rodriguez recalls. “And he was playing musical comedy stuff when the cameras weren’t rolling. And I was like, ‘Oh, that’s it. I’m done. I’m in trouble.’ I just knew I was going to have a crush on him. I was like, ‘Ah, that can’t happen!’ I mean, he’s so sweet and sweet. We kind of started out as friends and then, you know, here we are. “
As for Serafini, he jokingly admitted he was “a little scared” of Rodriguez at first.
“He’s so confident and funny. If he’s in the room, everyone is laughing and having a good time,” he explained. “So I was just a little intimidated at first, but then we got to know each other – like he said – and it was like, ‘Oh, okay. I think we have a good relationship here. . ‘”
Episode 5, titled “The Quinceañero”, sees Seb (Serafini) and the East High Drama Club throw Carlos (Rodriguez) a surprise “quinceañero” for his birthday, which, of course, reverses traditional gender roles. .
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“I feel like we ticked so many representation boxes in this episode,” Rodriguez said of the filming of the episode. “I think it’s so special and the way it’s done and handled. It’s not just about Carlos… especially like, Seb, the way he’s presented in the episode, it’s just , it’s really powerful. And I loved it. My favorite part of filming the episode was just being with everyone. It was kind of our first time together after our unscheduled stop. I just remember we were on a real farm, it was cold and we were all huddled around that little fire. “
“I mean, these are just the things you will remember forever,” he continued. “Strange as it may be, I would like to go back and relive that moment.”
During the party – spoiler alert! – Seb sings a touching rendition of “The Climb” from Miley Cyrus to Carlos. Serafini described the performance as a “great moment for the characters”.
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“It was a crazy experience,” he recalls of the shoot. “… To tell these stories and sing this song and, you know, in that context for Seb and Carlos to identify Seb’s rise if you will and find out who he is and how he identifies. That is. a trip, especially in high school, to find out who you are and who you want to love. It’s a climb! “
“It’s a very beautiful moment for the characters,” he added. “And I am so happy that we had this opportunity to do so.”
When asked if Rodriguez was in the studio when he recorded the song, Serafini revealed, “No, I actually wanted it to be more of a surprise to Frankie. So I tried to practice it when he wasn’t. ‘was not there. No, he was not in the studio. I was just there alone, but doing it in front of the camera, he was there. So that was cool. “
Meanwhile, Rodriguez and Serafini also discussed their co-star Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album, “Sour”. Find out what they named as their favorite songs on the album – plus other previews from the duo – in the full interview above!
New episodes of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” hit Disney + every Friday.
