Holden Nowell, the actor featured in Carly Rae Jepsen’s iconic “Call Me Maybe” music video, has opened up about his discomfort with his character’s portrayal in the video.
In an interview with iHeartRadio Canada, Nowell discussed the impact of his role, which sees his character revealed as gay, and the personal challenges it posed for him.
Nowell, who played Jepsen’s love interest in the 2012 viral hit, expressed his weariness of being constantly recognised as the “Call Me Maybe guy.” He shared, “It was really difficult for me and really frustrating. I was always identified with that role, and after a while, it became something I wanted to distance myself from.”
Particularly challenging for Nowell was a scene that was initially intended for the music video but didn’t make the final cut. This scene involved him kissing another man, a portrayal he wasn’t comfortable with. “The idea that my character had to be gay was a surprise. It’s not something I was used to. I support LGBTQ rights, but as a straight man, I wasn’t ready to kiss another guy, even for a role,” Nowell said.
Post-“Call Me Maybe,” Nowell has embarked on a career in rap music under the moniker SixXx’Tre. His debut album, “Fade II Black,” which he boldly compares to Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP,” marks a significant shift from his modelling and acting days. He also reflected on his time as a model in New York, recounting experiences with what he described as the industry’s “predatory” behaviour and a culture he referred to as “gay for pay.”
