Chris Colfer, of former Glee fame, also has a successful second career as a novelist for children and young adults.
In fact, he’s just released his 18th novel. It started back in 2011 when he signed a deal with Little, Brown and Company to write two books for kids. Since then, the books have just kept on coming, and have landed Colfer on the New York Times bestseller list. His latest, A Tale of Sorcery, came out yesterday.
Related: A very special, one-night-only ‘Glee’ reunion is coming. Here’s how to catch it…
To celebrate, Colfer, who came out as gay in 2009, appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show on Monday. He talked about the book, shared a story about spotting a UFO, and also recounted a recent encounter when he was in a bar and another man attempted to chat him up.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“This weird thing happened. I was at a bar and this man came over and just started flirting with me. Like aggressively flirting with me and offered to get me a drink and all this stuff, and I politely declined because I’m taken, and he was like, ‘Oh, that’s OK. By the way, I loved your books when I was a kid’.”
Colfer, who is now 31, was shocked by the comment.
“And I said, ‘Okay, that’s not possible because the first one came out nine years ago, and that would have made you…’ And he goes. ‘11’.”
Yes, you do the math.
Colfer said the encounter, which left him very aware of his age, “Was really traumatic.” You can watch him recall the incident from the 3’22 mark below.
Colfer said that after working so hard on his latest novel and producing so many books in recent years, he’s looking forward to taking a little break from writing. Here’s hoping he explores some more acting opportunities, as he’s not done much on-screen since a cameo appearance in the Ab Fab movie in 2016 (although clearly the book writing has been keeping him super busy).
Related: Chris Colfer’s Children’s Book, Land Of Stories Debuts At Number One
Colfer found fame playing Kurt Hummel on Glee when it premiered in 2009. He’s been in a relationship with screenwriter Will Sherrod since 2013.
View this post on Instagram
Mister P
He’ll get used to it.
Gadfeal
Thirty is “traumatic”?? Pleeeze!
He seems buffer and more masculine than a decade ago. If he tries a beard, I think it would make him more attractive.
That pompadour though!
Heywood Jablowme
“Yes, you do the math.” Yes, if the kid was 20 and in a U.S. bar, he was in a bar illegally!
nm4047
given there was not indication of the state bar was located, you’ve jumped to a conclusion, there are states that 18 or 19 & 20 allow drinking.
Heywood Jablowme
@nm4047: There USED to be states that had a lower drinking age, but not since 1984. Now it’s 21 in everywhere, unless Chris and his flirter were in a bar in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.
Chrisk
So a 20 yo guy is “aggressively” hitting on you at bar in Weho because he wants to buy you drinks. Umm…ok.
Now he’s traumatized and very aware of his 30 years of age. Gurl that’s because you’re into barely legals. You just know this queen is a handful. Lol
Hank31
Good-looking, talented guy. It’s too bad that he is fem. A deal-breaker for me. There’s a scene in Glee where Colfer’s character auditions for Romeo, and for 30 seconds or so, we see his character (and by, extension, Colfer) act normally. He is instantly 1000X more attractive.
Kangol2
Your comments here and on other threads come off as really fragile in terms of your masculinity, and effemophobic. A quality psychologist or psychotherapist could help you work through this.
Max
it’s called acting.
Thad
Hey, Chris Colfer’s books aren’t just for kids. Yes, they’re usually the target audience. But his stories are creative and delightful for everyone. I liked them.
stonercharles
Who is this person anyway??? Get a grip sister!!! Mother F&#@er Please Already
Mack
More than you’ll ever be.
Phil H
He’s a Golden Globe winning actor and a New York Times bestselling author.
I’m guessing he’s not concerned that you don’t know who he is.
winemaker
At least the guy was polite in deflecting the unwanted attention. As gay men we all are approached by men we’re not interested in or attracted to for various reasons and this is just a part of life so get used to it. On the other hand we all have approached men and were rejected, sometimes politely and more often rudely and were given attitude. Our reaction depends on the actions of the other party and rude men are everywhere and over the years i ‘ve learned to accept facts and realize rude reactions are their problem and doesn’t reflect on me. Bottom line, men who want to buy you a drink in a bar means they’re interested in something and if you’re not interested in them, be polite and say no thanks, I’m not interested for whatever reason. How many of us have bought drinks for guys thinking they’re available or interested and later they leave with their boyfriend or date and you just realized you were hustled or wasted your money and time.
spunkfunker
Traumatized by someone younger than you hitting on you in a bar. LOL OK wait until he turns 40. We’re all getting older, embrace it, cause it’s better than the alternative!
MacAdvisor
I don’t think Colfer was traumatized being hit on by someone younger, but by someone who was young enough to have been in his target market and is now old enough to be able to hit on him in a bar. It was Colfer running into the reality he isn’t a young guy any more. Nothing wrong with not being young, we’ve all suffered from the experience of being young, but, like Colfer, most of us grow out of it. That growing into full adulthood happens slowly, almost hard to measure day by day, then — BAM! — it hits you. You aren’t the twenty-year old twink anymore. You not even in your twenties. Believe me, wait until he wakes up at 64 as I recently did. I am a Beatles song now and, no, they won’t feed your and don’t need you.
nm4047
good he had a fall back, as other acting was never going to pay too many bills, very much a 1 trick pony
C_Alan
Just hanging out at the bar alone being traumatized by flirtation.
I didn’t really have an opinion about this twink but now I do.
Donston
Of course, the comments are messy as hell. For a lot of people (especially queers) age is a weird thing. And it can hit like a brick when you realize that you’re no longer in the “young twink” category. But I’m sure he was purposely exaggerating and being humorous when he said he was “traumatized”. It ain’t that deep.
On the other hand, some of y’all will find any excuse to bring up how much you don’t like effeminate guys. It’s really pathetic and toxic.
BaltoSteve
For me, his anecdote is amusing because I have a friend who has been an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. And he has the fear that one of his former students will come up to him and say hello when “Out” and about at happy hour and such.
MusicBoi74
This little queen is too much. I thought he was a mess when he guest starred on “Hot In Cleveland” and this article proves that and more. Bye Felicia!