Connor Paolo Goes Gay for Gossip Girl

Monday’s episode of Gossip Girl brought out two shocking secrets.

Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg) outed Serena’s younger brother, Eric Van der Woodsen (Connor Paolo), at the dinner table. And Serena (Blake Lively) told best friend Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) her dirty little secret. “I killed someone,” she said.

Paolo, 17, talked to People about playing the gay character on Gossip Girl. Here are some highlights:

How does it feel to be playing a gay character on a popular TV show? I’m an actor and it’s a part. Being gay is nothing but another way to live your life. It’s just who he is.

A lot of gay teens will be excited to see someone gay on the show. Are you ready for that? I guess it’s a possibility that fans could take Eric’s coming into his own as a source of inspiration. He does it with a degree of gentility and self-respect. He doesn’t make apologies for who he is.

Did the fact that he tried to kill himself earlier have anything to do with being gay? As the actor portraying Eric, I don’t believe that I tried to commit suicide because of that. Eric is 14 so his decision to be gay could be permanent. It might not be. It’s about finding yourself. At the moment, this is who he sees himself as … that’s very empowering.

For the full interview, visit People.com.

WHAT DID YOU THINK of last night’s shocker of an episode???