December 17, 2021
Out 'Ugly Betty' Star Mark Indelicato Takes Pride in Show's Contributions
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Mark Indelicato was barely in his teens when he starred on "Ugly Betty" as a gay youth. Now, still out and proud, he revels in the show's contributions, telling People Magazine in an interview that "so much has changed over the last 15 years partially because of 'Ugly Betty,' and I'm really proud of that."
But it took Indelicato a while to appreciate why the show, and his presence on it as an openly gay youth, was so important, he told the publication.
"At the time, I don't think that I understood exactly what Justin would mean to so many people and the kind of legacy of the show in opening so many doors for subsequent projects and representation," he said, going on to add that "it took me until I was about 25 to really look back and be like, 'Oh, wow. I did that. I'm part of a larger kind of story,' regarding representation, especially among young queer people on television."
"Because, I mean, thinking back, 2006 to 2010, it was so taboo to have a young gay kid on TV," the actor, who stars in the new Amazon Prime comedy series "With Love," said.
"It's interesting to see how so much has changed over the last 15 years, partially because of 'Ugly Betty,' " Indelicato added, "and I'm really proud of that."
Jorge, Indelicato's character on "With Love," which centers around the lives and loves of a large Mexican-American family across a span of multiple holidays, is LGBTQ+ and partnered with another man, The Hollywood Reporter noted in a review of the five-episode streaming series.
The new role – coming after a turn on another series, "Hacks" – is a reaffirmation for Indelicato, who had stepped away from acting once "Ugly Betty" ran its course but now says he's realized acting "is my path."
"I think that I was so ready to give it all up just because it felt like I didn't really have a choice in the matter when I was a kid," Indelicato went on to say. "But then at the end, I'm so grateful for it though, because I came around to realize that this is what I'm supposed to do."
Added Indelicato: "I want to accomplish playing as many gay men as I possibly can, in as many nuanced ways as I can."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
