Darren Criss: Big Man on Campus

Move over, Puck — there's a new hunk on Glee. As handsome, "Teenage Dream" Blaine — the object of Kurt's affection — Darren Criss has become an overnight sensation for girls and gays alike.

Out magazine sat down with the 24-year-old actor for a sexy photo shoot, a frank interview about his rise to stardom, and having to come out as straight in the media.

From the interview: "Knowing that 'Are you gay?' would be among the first questions lobbed at him, Criss initially thought he would tell reporters something ambiguous and 'idealistic' like 'It doesn’t matter if I’m gay or straight — I’m playing a role.' Though new to Hollywood, he’s wise enough to know that such a tactic could have backfired. He concluded, 'I didn’t want to make it troublesome.'

"So Criss came out, as it were, as straight, and now he regularly says things like 'I think it’s more empowering to everybody, including myself, if I’m articulate about identifying myself as a straight male playing a gay character. Ultimately, that’s more powerful for both communities.'"

The actor also talks about Blaine's budding relationship with Kurt, his love of Broadway and movie musicals, and why he thinks seeing Blaine and Kurt on network television is a huge deal for gay teens everywhere.

Click here for more photos and to read more of Out's interview with Criss.