Paul Iacono, the 23-year-old actor best
known for starring in MTV's teen comedy The Hard Times of RJ
Berger, has come out gay.
In an interview with the Village
Voice, Iacono told Michael Musto that he was happy to serve
as a role model for young people.
“I didn't think I'd be coming out.
But why not now?” Iacono replied when asked if he was gay. “I
think it's the right time to say something.”
MTV canceled The Hard Times of RJ
Berger after two seasons. The show ended with all-American jock
Max, who endlessly bullied RJ, caught making out with another male
student.
Iacono will play a gay character in
MTV's upcoming series Kenzie's Scale.
“The whole reason we came up with
Kenzie's Scale is to give young gays characters to look up
to,” he said. “It's great that we have Chris Colfer, but we need
more characters. I'm happy to be that person so kids won't have to
grow up and be afraid of their sexuality and this won't be an issue.”
Colfer, who plays gay student Kurt
Hummel on the Fox musical-comedy Glee, is also openly gay.
Iacono said his character on Kenzie's
Scale discovers he's gay after he and his girlfriend move to New
York for college. The show follows the pair as they remain friends.