Ezra Miller on the cover of GQ Magazine (Photo Credit: Gq.com)
A Star Born, A Supernova Made
If you are looking for a name in the entertainment business that you have yet to hear but should most definitely be aware of, then this is the blogpost for you. Let us formerly introduce you to a star that has been shining across the silver screen for years and only seems to be shining brighter with each film. Ezra Miller is a twenty-eight year old supernova actor who has built an influential career for themselves with a portfolio full of performances stacked to the sky. With a wide range of roles under their belt, chances are that you have most likely seen one of their films at one point of another. Miller is an actor who came out as queer in 2012 and uses they/them pronouns. Their career launched to takeoff in the year 2008 when they starred in their film debut, Afterschool. Since that time, Miller has proven that they are capable of taking on all kinds of various and demanding roles, showing an artistic and rare talent that nobody could do as uniquely or skillfully as them. I remember the first time that I saw Miller on film, and it is a memory that I will never forget. As a psychological thriller drama (how could it not be good?), We Need to Talk About Kevin, was a movie that seemed to get a lot of people talking, and rightfully so. With Miller starring alongside the ever brilliant and talented Tilda Swinton, it seemed destined that two incredible forces would collide to deliver some of their most remarkable and groundbreaking performances of their careers. And of course, since that time, both actors have gone above and beyond to expand the expertise that comes from stars that seem to be destined to do what they all do so well, and that is capture our hearts. After one watch of We Need to Talk About Kevin, it is pretty safe to say that Miller captured the hearts of many and the world continued to watch a star rise higher and higher right before our very eyes.
Ezra Miller (Photo Credit: Pinterest.com)
And rise they did, and dare I say,
soared to go above and beyond to star in some of the most amazing and mind-bending productions to come out over a respected timeframe. From
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012),
The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015), and even
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), Miller continued to provide and expand upon the representational pavement for the LGBTQ+ community in ways that they did without much effort. And I believe that this had a lot to do with the fact that Miller never presented themselves to be anyone else but simply them. The more posts that come out in this blog, the more that I am amazed by the open and unfiltered confidence that these artists so bravely encompass in every aspect of both their private and professional careers. In fact, it almost seems that artists like Miller blend the two together, as they remain to be an open book, something that is not only refreshing, but extremely relatable. Miller is another actor who embodies the energy of an unapologetic spirit - and it is absolutely efficacious! What is more, is that it clearly shows in the roles that Miller performs. "I like a role that is challenging. That's what I look for and I'm certainly always looking to move further and maybe push myself into a place that might be temporarily uncomfortable so that I might learn something."
Ezra Miller and Tilda Swinton in the 2011 film, We Need to Talk About Kevin (Photo Credit: Rebloggy.com)
Flashing Forward with Miller
Whether it is portraying masterminds or malevolent roles that captivate audiences across the world, Miller is well capable of doing it all and does it with a smile on their face. In addition to acting on the big screen and having the range to support it, Miller also has an assortment of other talents that has kept them artistically scaling up the skyline. Movie making is not the only thing keeping Miller creatively content, as they are also known for their incredible music capabilities and it all started from an early interest with opera. As of currently, Miller is also in the band, Sons of an Illustrious Father, contributing vocals, drumming, and percussion to a sound that they have referred to as "gender queer." And when not artistically expressing themselves behind the lens or making magic on stage, Miller is finding ways to become more involved with issues such as the #MeToo movement, having spoken openly about their own personal experiences, widening the exposure and expansion to the cause. And as mentioned earlier in this blogpost, Miller's openness to being themselves and in regards to their sexuality as being queer, makes for an artist in an industry that still seems to be paving the road for more LGBTQ+ representation in the media to come. A great point to make here is that there do not seem to be many actors or artists who come out as queer or use they/them pronouns that are getting the screen time that Miller is getting, which is a major problem. But this most definitely is not impossible from being changed. If anything, it only seems to be more promising. And just as we have explored in previous posts on this blog, each artist that we discuss is only making more room at the table for LGBTQ+ representation and it is fueling progress for positive change in the media and entertainment business.
Ezra Miller at the 2019 Met Gala (Photo Credit: Lavendersw.tumblr.com)
This "Ezra Effect" promises to be an everlasting one that most certainly will allow for other artists like Miller to step into a spotlight that is slowly beginning to shine more and more on those that have been kept in the darkness for far too long. I wanted to feature an artist like Miller because while I believe many have experienced their star power on screen, they may not be aware of the fact that they are witnessing an artist that is changing the way the media is giving representation to the LGBTQ+ community. And Miller is also extending this representation to music, which only makes me think what else lies in store for them and their inspirational contributions to the creative realm we are all existing in. What is more, is that I am proud to say that Miller has already done something that, in my opinion, is truly revolutionary, and that is to take on the role of a superhero. That is right, none of what I just wrote contains any typos (at least I hope not, as I do my best to proofread each post). If you have not heard the exciting news yet, Miller first stepped into the lightening bolt suit of Berry Allen in the 2016 film,
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and will remain in the role starring in an entire film dedicated to the background story of the one and only
The Flash,
which is set to be released next year in 2022. The fact that an actor and artist who identifies openly as queer and uses they/them pronouns and is set to play a superhero is not only an inspiration, but a deep and incredible accomplishment. I can already imagine the number of LGBTQ+ audience members feeling a strong sense of pride in knowing that an artist like Miller is bringing representation to the big screen, in an even bigger way. All in all, the supernova star (and now superhero) that Ezra Miller is, is clearly destined to keep shining. And it only seems to be a matter of time before the fate and future of LGBTQ+ representation in the media gets to shine from all angles across the sky. The phrase, "blink and you might miss it" comes to mind. So, please dear reader, do keep your eyes wide open, as I am certain none of us would want to miss a single thing that Miller does next. Especially when it all seems to be
flashing right before our very eyes.
Ezra Miller as the Flash (Photo Credit: Boards.fireden.net)
And speaking of superheroes, have you read our previous blogpost dedicated to Audre Lorde yet? Check it out
here.
Thank you for your time. See you in the next post!
*None of the images or videos belong to me and were found on Google.
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