Twenty-seven-year-old actor Jake Borelli came out via Instagram the same night as his character on the show Grey’s Anatomy.
Jake Borelli, took time on Thursday to write a heart-warming message on social media after his character, Dr Levi Schmitt, on the long-running TV drama, Grey’s Anatomy embarked on a same-sex love story. The actor wrote how he “craved” as a young person, storylines like the one his character is involved with and hoped that the character would bring hope to others.
Taking to Instagram the star wrote, “As a gay guy myself, tonight’s episode was so special to me. This is exactly the kind of story I craved as a young gay kid growing up in Ohio, and it blows my mind that I’m able to bring life to Dr. Levi Schmitt as he begins to grapple with his own sexuality this season on Grey’s Anatomy. His vulnerability and courage inspire me every day, and I hope he can do the same for you”.
Borelli continued, “To all of you who feel like little Levis out there, know that I do too, that you are seen, and that we’re all in this together. And to everyone who has supported me over the years, I can’t thank you enough, and I love you more than all the stars…”
The actor also spoke to Entertainment Weekly about opening up about his sexuality, saying that he was already out to his wider circle of friends and family, “I’ve been out to my friends and family for almost 10 years now, but within the last couple of months of shooting the show and really getting to know this character and seeing the response, I’ve realised that this is becoming bigger than just me,” he told the outlet.
“Within the last year or so, I’ve been given the opportunity to speak on a much larger platform. With that opportunity, I am able to come out to a much larger group of people”.
The post was liked 25,000 times over 12 hours and the actor received scores of supportive messages from fans.