Written by Sara Tardiff
Most red-blooded Americans can find familiarity in the high school experience forever preserved in television and film. For Chris Colfer, the archetypes of the demonic cheerleader and rampant over-achiever truly came to life after he graduated—on the set of Glee. The now 25-year-old has finally left those hallowed halls after the shows’ finale in March 2015, and has taken to exploring other creative outlets. “I never had a chance to catch my breath, I graduated high school and then I went straight to Glee. I’ve never had much of a break.”
Almost convincingly, Colfer says he now has the time to decompress after a whirlwind few years; but between filming new movies like the pre-production Noel Coward biopic and Absolutely Fabulous (written by the original star of the ‘90s British comedy, Jennifer Saunders, due out in 2016), while simultaneously writing spinoffs of his childrens’ book series The Land of Stories, it is almost unbelievable. Luckily for him, finding his first taste of fame in a cult TV series means he isn’t without the support of fans, whatever his endeavors might be. “I’m grateful I have such a passionate following,” he says. “It really validates everything for me and I know that when I start working on something new, it isn’t just for me, because I have people that really believe in, love, and support me. They make it worth it.”
I walk outside and see a strangely-shaped object and suddenly it’s in the book in one form or another.
From the outside, Colfer’s venture into children’s books might appear to be a bazaar career move, but as a multidimensional artist, Colfer follows where his creative energy takes him. Inspiration, for Colfer, comes from every direction. “I draw from people I’ve known my whole life to people I meet for a split second,” he says. “I’m inspired by the things I see every day—I walk outside and see a strangely-shaped object and suddenly it’s in the book in one form or another. I’m constantly soaking in inspiration for my writing wherever I go.” Except now with the most recent installations of the series out Nov. 24, The Mother Goose Diaries and Queen Red Riding Hood’s Guide to Royalty, he isn’t writing in-between takes—he has more time to dedicate to this other world.
“I had never written a book and not been on a television show at the same time,” he says. “I’m almost overwhelmed with having more free time. I’m not sure I know how to write unless there is a metaphorical gun to my head. It’s exciting.” Although marketed for children 8 to 12, Chris says he hears from readers of all ages—and the smart content and fantastical world-building reflects that. “I’m going to get into so much trouble with these books!” he laughs. “I think they’re funny, but we’ll see if other people do. With Queen Red it’s kind of a spoof of a self-help book mixed with Machiavelli’s The Prince.”
It’s unlikely that Chris will ever fully shed his Glee persona, nor does he want to any time soon, but in the meantime he is constantly discovering new versions of himself. Whether it be as an author, a singer, an actor, or even a martial arts obsessive (“It’s probably the weirdest thing about me,” he explains through giggles), he never stops learning who he is—even after graduation.
Photos Hao Zeng
Stylist Sean Knight at Jedroot
Grooming Sydney Zibrak at The Wall Group
