Gigi Principe

Tell us about yourself! What do you do for a living? What are your interests? What are your pronouns?

Hi! I’m Gigi, I’m an actress living in NYC, I also sing and dance. My pronouns are she/her. I am a proud Queer Pansexual. When I’m not doing theatre/film stuff I’m either listening to my music (I’m a big Broadway and classic rock fan but especially a HUGE fan of Queen) on my record player, I’m an avid record collector. Or I’m making new recipes. I love to cook and bake. Mostly bake. I love all things chocolate. I also love animals, don’t ask me if I’m a cat or dog person because I’m both!
You can also catch me at a Barnes and Noble or the Strand Bookshop reading everything I can get my hands on.

About how old were you when you came out? How was the climate you grew up in?

So it’s funny officially came out this year (2021 for anyone reading this in future years) to everyone I know, but really I’ve been in the closet that I didn’t even KNOW I was in. I’m originally from Chicago. I come from a very Italian and Puerto Rican family. I knew I could tell my parents anything and they’d understand for the most part. However Hid this part of me without even knowing it! I thought I was straight. Mega straight all my life but then coming out to NYC, going to a performing arts conservatory, graduating and moving out into my own place in Brooklyn, going through a pandemic…it puts a LOT of things in perspective for you.

Did you make career choices that allowed you to feel comfortable being open about your sexuality? (Are you out or feel comfortable being out at your workplace?)

I work in the theatre industry. I feel very comfortable there! I mean if someone’s not comfortable with me about my sexuality working in the theatre industry then maybe they have the wrong career choice and industry. I do wish to see more Pan representation though. Honestly more LGBTQIA+ representation please and thank you!

If you could tell your younger self something about yourself that you are proud of today, what would it be?

If I could see myself back when I was in middle school wishing to be on my own in NYC when a lot of people thought it was a pipe dream I would look at her and say “keep going. Don’t listen to what the other kids say. You’re gonna do so many great things. And hey. You did it.”

Have you tried to surround yourself with like-minded peers/colleagues? If so, how?

Oh yes! A lot of my friends are in the LGBTQIA+ community, my best friend Skylar is a proud gay man who helped me kind of navigate through me coming out, he saw me come out to my dad, he’s been with me through a lot. And I’m always looking to expand my friend circle as well!

Who were your role models growing up? What tv shows/movies allowed you to feel seen?

There’s so many but Freddie Mercury really stood out to me. He was so amazing and he really did take on the world!
Growing up Adam Lambert was the one who really showed me what it was like having to come out in the face of adversity, I remember all the “scandals” I say that in quotes because he literally did nothing wrong but be himself. But his response was to basically say “screw it and screw you” and I think that’s amazing! It shaped the way I respond to people who don’t accept me for who I am! I also have to give shoutouts to Lin Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift. Their music and performances spark so much joy in me.

Complete the sentence, if I knew ____________ back when I was first figuring myself out, I would tell my younger self that _____________________?

If I knew that I would be right in the place I wanted to be now back when I was first figuring myself out I would tell my younger self that everything would be ok, and to never stop doing what I’m doing. That I did it. And you should be proud of yourself. So proud.

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