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"One of my favorite things about myself is that I’m half-Filipino but I don’t look like it”

Glee actor Darren Criss has said he does not want to be identified as Asian American.

Darren Criss, who is half Filipino, is known for his roles in television shows Glee and American Crime Story.

Speaking to Vulture, the 31-year-old actor said he does not identify as Asian American because it would “be unfair”. He added that he did not want to sound like he was, “reaching for the minority card on a college application.”

Talking about his Filipino mother, Criss said, “My mom’s Asian-American,” he said. “She’s from the Philippines and came here and then married a white guy, and here I am.”

Criss went on to say that he was grateful how his half-Filipino heritage did not play a part in his casting experience. “I always say one of my favorite things about myself is that I’m half-Filipino but I don’t look like it,” he said.

He added that he enjoyed looking Caucasian instead. “I just look like a Caucasian guy, which is nice,” Criss said. “I’ve got the multi-ethnic thing going on. People think I’m like Italian or Mediterranean.”

In response to the original interview, Criss tweeted, “Just to clarify- 1 of my favorite things about myself is that I’m half Filipino. PERIOD. I happen to not look like it, but THAT fact is not what I like. I like the fact that most people don’t know it’s an ace up my sleeve, an ace I’m very proud of, regardless of what I look like.”

However, some criticised the actor’s mixed messages. “That’s why you call yourself a half breed?” one Twitter user wrote.

“Except for the times when he calls himself white and doesn’t consider himself mixed,” another wrote in response to Criss’ tweet. “He has trouble keeping his many narratives straight.”

“hmmm…is that really what you meant? I re-read that quote twice,” tweeted another. “It made me sad to be honest. We Pinoys are proud of you…but okay, if that’s how you feel. I just got sad.”

Others supported the actor’s words.

“So happy you clarified that cos I read the interview before your tweet above & literally got stuck on that sentence re-reading it for a couple of minutes trying to figure out what you actually meant,” wrote one fan. “I almost felt offended by the time I moved on with the article.” 

“It’s too bad some people seem to have done away with the notion of giving someone the benefit of the doubt, especially when they have seen and know the true content of your character, but what are you gonna do?” said another. “I thought your clarification was lovely.”