High School Musical's Ryan Mitchell Uncovers a Long-held Secret in Disney's Epic Comeback 17 Years On

Summary

After 17 years of speculation, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series confirms that Ryan is gay, marking a significant moment for Disney's LGBTQ+ representation.

From the start, Director Kenny Ortega had the intention for Ryan to be gay. However, he had concerns about whether Disney was prepared for it during that period. Despite Disney's need for improvement in LGBTQ+ representation, Ryan's openly gay portrayal in HSMTMTS marks a promising advancement.

The character of Ryan Evans, portrayed by Lucas Grabeel in the original High School Musical, has been the subject of speculation regarding his sexuality for 17 years. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (HSMTMTS) has now provided the long-awaited answer to whether Ryan is canonically a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Grabeel will be returning to the franchise in the final season of HSMSTMS, alongside original High School Musical actors Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, and Kaycee Stroh.

Ryan, Sharpay's twin brother, shared his sister's passion for musical theater and fabulous fashion in the first three films. However, he was not given as much opportunity to shine. Despite often being in his sister's shadow, Ryan has garnered his own following of fans who have been curious about his sexuality for 17 years. Finally, Disney has officially addressed Ryan's sexuality in the High School Musical universe.

Disney's High School Musical TV Series Confirms Ryan Is Gay (In Canon)

Ryan's homosexuality in the High School Musical canon has finally been confirmed, 17 years after the release of the first movie. Disney+ shared a sneak peek on Twitter for the latest season of HSMTMTS, featuring the return of four original actors, including Grabeel. Aside from showcasing a snippet of a new musical number, the preview reveals that Ryan is now in a relationship with a character portrayed by Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, as the two share a kiss.

In 2020, High School Musical director Kenny Ortega disclosed Ryan's sexual orientation to Variety. Although Ryan was never openly out in the series, Ortega expressed that the character was always intended to be gay. Concerned that Disney might not be prepared to address this aspect, Ortega made choices that he believed viewers would comprehend and appreciate. His decision proved accurate, as Ryan's sexuality has sparked extensive speculation over the years, particularly due to his lack of official relationships while those around him are paired off. Moreover, a specific musical number in High School Musical 2 triggered thorough analysis on platforms like Tumblr and even inspired a think-piece by Cosmopolitan.

Ryan's Sexuality Shows How Disney Has Changed (But More Must Be Done)

Despite Ortega's confirmation in 2020, the upcoming season of HSMTMTS is significant as it showcases Disney's progress in LGBTQ+ representation. While High School Musical subtly touched upon Ryan's sexuality throughout three movies, the inclusion of a kiss in HSMTMTS signifies that Disney is now willing to push boundaries, as mentioned by Ortega. However, it is important to acknowledge that Disney still has room for improvement in their LGBTQ+ representation across different franchises. It is crucial for them to rectify past mistakes and move towards a more inclusive future. Confirming Ryan's sexuality and allowing him to openly embrace his gay identity in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is a long-awaited step forward.

Sources: Cosmopolitan, @DisneyPlus/Twitter, justanotherrandomperson/Tumblr, Variety