Jake Holley

Is he gay irl?
Is he gay? Sorry, I’m sure I could just look that up.
'Riley': A UCLA alumnus' love letter to community and queer youth - Daily Bruin

In a similar vein, lead actor Jake Holley said such vulnerability in “Riley” attracted him to the titular role. Having grown up as a student-athlete in South Carolina, he said he recognized that queerness was not completely accepted by the people in his hometown. Like the character he portrays, Holley questioned his sexuality in high school and worried about the potential consequences of identifying as gay, he added.

“We were questioning our identities (more) than we let on, but in that time and space in South Carolina, it was a huge heartbreaking fear for lots of young men,” Holley said. “I haven’t lived there in a while, but I hope that’s changed. I know the world is slow, but it’s hopefully changing for the better.”