Rebel Wilson criticises the notion that only gay actors can portray gay characters

Actor Rebel Wilson has weighed in on the idea that only actors should play gay characters. She called it "total nonsense" and said that people should be able to play any role that they want.

In a new interview on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the Pitch Perfect star brought up the topic when host Lauren Laverne asked if she felt there was a different standard with the kinds of jokes women comedians can make compared to men.

“I don’t think there’s a different standard, it’s more this thing about, if you are something then now you’re allowed to joke about it,” she said. “So say, if you are overweight, you can say jokes. But if you’re not [you can’t]… that’s kind of what’s currently happening.”

Reflecting on whether this is a good or bad thing, she said: “I think that’s hard. It’s going into this territory of like saying, ‘Well, only straight actors can play straight roles, and gay actors can play gay roles,’ which I think is total nonsense." She added, “I think you should be able to play any role that you want.”

The Bridesmaids actor also discussed her relationship with Ramona Arguma, who she proposed to at Disneyland last year. Wilson stated that even though she comes from a “very conservative” family, her coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community to her family went pretty well, especially with her grandparents, who she described as being “so chilled and cool” with her sexual orientation.