rapper Scott "
Kid Cudi" Mescudi, who plays the gay best friend of the movie's heterosexual lead. It's definitely an interesting career turn for a straight rapper who first made a mark in Hollywood as a lead on HBO's
How to Make It in America.
"This was way different than anything else I've ever done," Cudi, who also scored the film, told Billboard on the red carpet minutes before the premiere. "It was dope to do that. I felt like I had a responsibility to present a different walk in life from that world."
In the Josh Mond-directed film, it's hard to tell that Cudi's character is gay -- his sexuality isn't discussed or focused on at all. However, as the actor would explain before seeing the film for the first time at the premiere, he shot scenes in which his character comes out of the closet and even kisses a male friend, played by David Call.
Surprisingly, Cudi didn't find out the scenes had been cut until the premiere -- but he seemed to take it in good stride.
"I'm mad [Mond] cut out my kissing scenes with David," Cudi said with a wry smile during an audience Q&A session after the film.
"We made out so many times -- and it was so good! That's my only gripe."
But did he have any hesitations playing a gay character, and kissing a male actor?
"No. My thing is what story are we trying to tell here," Cudi told Billboard. "I didn't flinch. I'm secure with mine. I'm an artist -- it's all about playing characters that are intriguing and stimulating."