Cruising Wilson Cruz

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(above: actor Wilson Cruz)

In my review of last week's episode of Noah's Arc I prognosticated an acting disaster with the arrival of Wilson Cruz as a guest star to the cast.  Being a man committed to keeping it real and truthful, I must admit that I was flat-out wrong.

Cruz was introduced in this week's fifth episode of NA as Junito, a doctor working at Alex's HIV/AIDS clinic, and new love interest for the promiscuous Ricky.  And although Cruz is not on the screen for any long periods of time, I was happy to see him play, with some subtlety, a man who wanted Ricky for "something more", yet was still interested in Ricky's bad boy devlish potential.  But will someone please take that damn pink handkerchief off Cruz's neck?

The rest of the show was pretty much a wash for me. Wade gets mad at Noah because Noah gets a job re-writing Wade's script (a bit boring).  A jealous Alex hilariously dresses in all black as a cat burgular in order to spy on his man Trey who he suspects of sleeping with a straight man.  His prowling almost results in him getting a cap in his ass.  And Chance goes back and has sex with Eddie the cheater--who shows up to Chance's job with flowers and a ring asking for his hand in marriage.  10 cents says he'll go through with it.

But all of those events pretty much pale in comparison to the glimpse's of the potential relationship between Cruz's Junito (pronounced on the show JEW- KNEE-TOW) and Ricky.  They shared a tender moment on the floor of the HIV clinic. And on the close up of Cruz's face, I remembered why I poo-pooed him in my last review.

Let me be upfront. When it comes to acting, I prefer the fat Wilson Cruz from the amazing (and prematurely cancelled) show My So Called Life--where he played the coming out story of Claire Dane's friend, Ricky Vasquez to a T.  But since then, Wilson Cruz lost the baby fat, got a little sexy, but his acting got progressively worst for me.  But some artists need to stay big--like some fat singers, they lose the weight, and they lose their voice.

But in the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you a little secret.  I had a little crush on La Nena Wilson Cruz.  Back when I was in college I had the great fortune as an advisor to screen his fabulous coming out episode on My So Called Life to a bunch of underclassmen.  I loved it.

It was the 1990s and there was a paucity off gay themed television, cinema, and video content--let alone material that focused on gay people of color.  This was truely revolutionary for its time.  I remembered when I was watching the show, I felt so proud and happy to see this amazing actor simultaneously break ground and help me deal with my own coming out process.  This was going to be a video that I would hold onto for years and treasure as one of things that inspired me to be myself.  While I knew that I was gay, I still hadn't disclosed my sexuality to the majority of my friends. I was just a young, single, sexless young man getting ready to graduate college and try to make his mark on the world.

And then I found out that later in the week, in conjuction with the screening that I had given, my school was bringing Wilson Cruz to campus.  To say I was excited was an understatement.  Not only was he coming to campus, but a small group of students were invited to have "tea" with him before one of his talks.  I made sure that I would be extra cute, because I wanted to make a good impression on him.   He and I were about the same age.  Who knew what could happen?  I at least hoped that I would have a chance to meet him and shake his hand.

I showed up for tea, and there was a sizeable turn-out--mostly white.  Wilson answered a lot of questions and seemed ecstatic to be on the campus.  But he and I never made eye contact. You know what I mean. The eye contact that people of color make when we are the only people in the room.  The acknowledgement of each other's presence. Each other's colored presence.  It didn't happen.

Afterwards, he started meeting people and shaking hands before he had to go to his next speaking engagement.  And I shuffled towards him, but he seemed pre-occupied with the rest of the students.  Maybe I was asking for too much being a black man coming to the event and wanting a special wink or nod from a fellow Latino brother in the life.  But it stung a little.

But he did speak to me finally.  Eventually I decided to leave and walk back to my dorm room.  I started walking to the door, and I guess his entourage started shuffling him quickly to the next destination.  The next thing I heard was Cruz's soft voice say excuse me.  I turned around to look at him with a big smile on my face.  But I was met with a frown.  He looked annoyed, as though I was moving too slowly for him as he was going to his next destination.

When returned to my room, I gave away Cruz's My So Called Life episode to one of my students.

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Comments

[Steven]

Wilson Cruz, I love you and have for years. From “MSCL” to “Party Monster” you are always a bright shining star on the screen. To hear Bernard respond to your post check out EP 5 of Pink Mafia Radio. It’s a podcast about GLBT media in episode 5 Bernard and I discuss the latest episode of "Noah's Arc" and we also go in depth about the cast including you Mr. Cruz. Give it a listen.
-Steven
WWW.Pinkmafiaradio.com

[CHULETA]

HI PAPI CRUZ.
BABY I SAW YOU ON NOAHS ARK
AND MY MY MY HAVE WE MATURED
I WAS DROOLING YOU LOOK SO
GOOD. AS FAR AS THE OTHER
REMARKS I READ ABOUT YOU,
IGNORE THEM. THOSE ARE HATEFUL
QUEENS. CON MUCHO AMOR
CHULETA

[Wilson Cruz]

So now that I'm cute I CAN'T ACT? I'm only talented if I'm FAT? I don't like black men? I'm rude? If I am so wretched why do I forgive you for the insults? Forgive not forget. Now you really have no chance and I happen to be single at the moment. Send me your address I'll get that copy of My So-Called Life back to you, you should have it. And yes this is me, I have a computer, I read, and it really is a small world.

[Holiday N]

Hey Bernard sweetie,
I never seen him on My So Called Life but I saw him play a trans sexual on Ally McBeal and I loved him..he was so sweet..and was killing this lil black Gucci dress.
I had no idea that was him on Noah.

[JP]

Cruz was okay last night...nothing to write home about though. I will say this much though, I appreciated the most recent Noah's Arc episode more than any other. I think that I initially was expecting too much out of this series. For some reason I thought I would see a series which reflected my life and my friends's life, and when I saw unrealistic, far-fetched, over the top characters who often come across more as women than men, I became disappointed and upset. Then I thought about something. I watch "Young and the Restless" and "Desperate Housewives", to be entertained, not to see a reflection of my reality. From now on I will accept Noah's Arc for what it really is, a little reality mixed in with a lot of fantasy to give me a weekly comedic diversion.

Enough of that, can we swap the tea about a few things in this week's episode? Ummm, why did Miss Noah try to climb on Wade's back and top. Gurlllllllllllllll, I nearly passed out at the mere visual of it! And when Wade was arguing with Noah about it, he got real loud and angry like. I actually got turned on! LOL...moving along, isn't Eddie like the typical dude, gay or straight? He lies and cheats, and then expects you to be at his beck and call. Heaven forbid you should move on with someone else. Umm, Brandy (the Paramount exec) was absolutely stunning in this episode. Although she was only featured for about 30 seconds, I so loved seeing her. And I love the way Chance (or Little C (so corny I know) acts and dresses (most of the time). That white button down shirt with the orange color on the lapels was so hawt!!! And the way he reacted when T-Money called and rolled his eyes when Eddie called was so REAL! I so loved it. You can tell that this character really takes his job seriously and gives it his all. It's the suttle details that really makes a character/show come alive. But question? Why he got on a durag and he bald? See that just ain't right! LOL. And the whole cat burglar deal with Alex was just flat out tired. Didn't we just do this same episode with Chance like 3 episodes back? Anyway, Trey is fine as hail and I'd fight 10 nuccas if they were trying to roll up on him too. Next week I believe Adele "Miss I'm such a fkn LADY!" Givens is going to appear on the show so I'm really looking forward to that.

[ReggieH]

I met Wilson Cruz very briefly on the street when he was in town doing a play. He was friendly, and seemed very happy to meet a (black)fan. Better luck next time you meet him, Mr Bradshaw!

[coy]

Interesting. Years ago (early '90s) in L.A. I had eye contact with WC at a movie premiere. There was interest. I actually met and shared a flirtation and a "moment" :) with him in NYC a couple of years later. I don't know what was happening when you met him but I can say that present day he doesn't seem to have issue with finding a black man attractive.

[Linear]

Speaking of online sites, you should join Connexion.org. Wilson is on there a lot and isn't afraid of a little sexy chatting. I've even talked to him on the phone.