Yahoo News Grey's star opens up about Nico and Levi storyline
Grey's Anatomy actor Alex Landi has opened up about the importance of playing Dr Nico Kim as part of the show's first same-sex storyline between two male doctors.
This season, fans have seen a romance develop between Nico and Dr Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli), and in an interview with Travis Mills, Landi described playing an Asian LGBTQ+ character as "super special".
"Asians are represented, I think, by less than three percent in entertainment, LGBTQ being less than 1 percent, so for them to combine both of those categories into one role is super special, and I'm so happy that I can take that on," Landi said (via Gay Times).
Related: How Hollywood and superhero movies can learn from this Asian American LGBTQ+ short
He explained that he wants to do justice to his character, Dr Nico Kim, considering how rare it is to see LGBTQ+ Asian representation on television.
"I just hope I do it right," Landi continued. "I just hope the way I do it is accepted by everyone.
"I want to take these two categories and make everyone look strong. I want to get rid of that stereotype and give them a different look on the LGBTQ community. I just hope I'm making everyone proud."
Borelli recently told Digital Spy that it was a "personal milestone" to be involved in the storyline.
"It feels amazing, honestly," he shared. "Grey's Anatomy is such an iconic show that's been around for 15 years. They've had a lot of LGBTQ relationships on the show like Arizona Robbins and Callie Torres and that relationship was so nuanced and pushed the dial forward for the LGBTQ community so much. And now we're at the very beginning of a new gay relationship.
"I'm really excited to dive just as deep as they did, and I know that this is the best show to do that on."
Grey's Anatomy airs on ABC in the US and on Sky Living and NOW TV in the UK.
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