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Posted: 2015-10-02T14:59:16Z | Updated: 2015-10-02T14:59:46Z Nick Jonas Explains Why He Keeps Choosing Gay Roles | HuffPost

Nick Jonas Explains Why He Keeps Choosing Gay Roles

Nick Jonas Explains Why He Keeps Choosing Gay Roles
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Isaiah Trickey via Getty Images

Nick Jonas has played two young gay men on TV this year, but the 23-year-old actor says there's more to what motivates his choices than a character's sexuality. 

"In the case of 'Scream Queens,' there's comedy within the role and I think at its core it really is a social commentary about stereotypes and breaking down some of those barriers," Jonas told USA Today  of his role in Ryan Murphy's Fox comedy playing gay frat brother Boone. 

Jonas added that he doesn't consider "whether the character is gay or straight, but about what the story is and what the audience is going to get out of it."

As for playing closeted boxer Nate on DirecTV's "Kingdom," Jonas hopes his character's struggles might help others who can relate to what he goes through. 

With 'Kingdom,' my character is going through a really different journey where he's struggling with who he is. I think that's a highly relatable story line that a lot of my fans, both gay and straight, have come and told me that that's been incredibly important for them: to see the journey he's on and to know they're not alone, whatever it is that they're going through in their life that makes them feel different or strange. There's real peace and a community and a story being told that feels honest and grounded.

The actor and performer recently said he is "honored" to play roles that impact the LGBT community , calling it a "blessing." 

Works for us. 

Nick Jonas
Sundance Film Festival(01 of26)
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 23: Singer-songwriter Nick Jonas attends NYLON + Dream Hotels Apres Ski at Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2016 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for NYLON) (credit:Mat Hayward via Getty Images)
iHeartRadio Music Festival - Arrivals - Day 1(02 of26)
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Nick Jonas arrives at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Friday Sept. 19, 2014, at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (Photo by Andrew Estey/Invision/AP) (credit:Andrew Estey/Invision/AP)
Victoria's Secret Celebrates Photographer Russell James' "Angels" Book(03 of26)
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Nick Jonas arrives at a gallery exhibition for photographer Russell James' new book, "Angels", at the Stephan Weiss Studios on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP) (credit:Amy Sussman/Invision/AP)
2014 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals(04 of26)
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Nick Jonas arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
2014 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals(05 of26)
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Olivia Culpo, left, and Nick Jonas arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Grants Banquet - Arrivals(06 of26)
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Nick Jonas arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Grants Banquet at the Beverly Hilton hotel on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
"Buyer And Cellar" Opening Night(07 of26)
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From left, actors Matt Lauria and singer/actor Nick Jonas arrive for the opening night performance of "Buyer & Cellar" at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on July 13, 2014, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Invision/AP) (credit:Ryan Miller/Invision/AP)
Vanity Fair's Fiat Young Hollywood Party(08 of26)
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Nick Jonas arrives at Vanity Fair's Fiat Young Hollywood Party on Tuesday, Feb, 25, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (credit:Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
DIRECTV & Endemol Studios' "Kingdom" Premiere Event - Arrivals(09 of26)
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VENICE, CA - OCTOBER 01: Singer/actor Nick Jonas (L) and Olivia Culpo attend the Premiere Event for DIRECTV's KINGDOM on October 1, 2014 in Venice, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Davis via Getty Images)
Premiere Event For DIRECTV's KINGDOM(10 of26)
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VENICE, CA - OCTOBER 01: Actor Nick Jonas attends the Premiere Event for DIRECTV's KINGDOM on October 1, 2014 in Venice, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for DIRECTV) (credit:Michael Buckner via Getty Images)
2013 Teen Choice Awards - Show(11 of26)
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Nick Jonas accepts the inspire award at the Teen Choice Awards at the Gibson Amphitheater on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP) (credit:John Shearer/Invision/AP)
2013 Teen Choice Awards - Arrivals(12 of26)
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From left, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas, of musical group The Jonas Brothers, arrive at the Teen Choice Awards at the Gibson Amphitheater on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
MTV's 10 On Top with the Jonas Brothers(13 of26)
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(Left to right) Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Nick Jonas pose for a photo during a taping of MTV's "10 On Top" at the MTV Studios on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP) (credit:Scott Gries/Invision/AP)
Live at Much With Jonas Brothers(14 of26)
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Nick Jonas is seen at Live at Much With Jonas Brothers at the MuchMusic Headquarters on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP) (credit:Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)
2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 1 - Press Room(15 of26)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 19: Nick Jonas poses at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 1 - Press Room at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 19, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 1 - Press Room(16 of26)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 19: Nick Jonas poses at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 1 - Press Room at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 19, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
Premiere Event For DIRECTV's KINGDOM(17 of26)
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VENICE, CA - OCTOBER 01: Actor Nick Jonas attends the Premiere Event for DIRECTV's KINGDOM on October 1, 2014 in Venice, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for DIRECTV) (credit:Michael Buckner via Getty Images)
Nick Jonas(18 of26)
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Nick Jonas, of American pop rock band The Jonas Brothers, poses for a portrait, on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP) (credit:Dan Hallman/Invision/AP)
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Opening NIght(19 of26)
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Nick Jonas attends the opening night performance of the Broadway play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
KIIS FM's Jingle Ball(20 of26)
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The Jonas Brothers, from left, Kevin, Joe and Nick arrives at KIIS FM's Jingle Ball at Nokia Theatre LA Live on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Katy Winn/Invision/AP) (credit:Katy Winn/Invision/AP)
Variety Power of Youth(21 of26)
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From left, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas attend Variety Power of Youth at Paramount Studios on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (credit:Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Nick Jonas Celebrates Birthday At Queen Of The Night(22 of26)
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 16: Nick Jonas celebrates his birthday at Queen of The Night at The Paramount Hotel on September 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Queen of the Night) (credit:Jamie McCarthy via Getty Images)
Nick Jonas "Jealous" Music Video Premiere At The South Street Seaport(23 of26)
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 16: Nick Jonas attends the Nick Jonas 'Jealous' music video premiere at the South Street Seaport on September 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The South Street Seaport) (credit:Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)
Nick Jonas Pop Up Performance(24 of26)
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: Nick Jonas performs a live pop up performance at Peter Tunney Gallery on September 11, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images) (credit:Mike Pont via Getty Images)
E! Network Upfront(25 of26)
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Joe Jonas, left, and Nick Jonas from the show "Married To Jonas" attend an E! Network upfront event at Gotham Hall on Monday, April 30, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
MTV's 10 On Top with Nick Jonas(26 of26)
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Actor and musician Nick Jonas tapes an episode of MTV's "10 On Top" at MTV Studios on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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