Is Tom Francis Gay?

Tom Francis is some months into his Broadway launch in Jamie Lloyd's ultra-modern, retina-searing revival of the classic Sunset Boulevard, but he has already put together a long list of shows he'd like to take on next. Amongst those, he informed Jeremy O. Harris earlier this month, are Dogfight, Company, Merrily We Roll Along and, perhaps sometime, a revival of Rent, because why not? But first, the 25-year-old, who took home the Olivier Award and has now attained a Tony nod for his alluring, stripped-back turn as the striving Joe Gillis, is relishing the praise alongside his fellow first-time nominee, co-star Nicole Scherzinger. "I'm realizing how much this job has given me," Francis stated the morning after nominations were announced. Drenched in stage blood, he discovered a rare moment alone in his dressing room to fully absorb it all. "I became a little emotional after the performance, since it was just so loving and wonderful the prior evening. The audience was simply benevolent, and it touched me a bit." Below, he and Harris discuss bulking up, marketing sweaty T-shirts (for good, of course), and the pressures of resurrecting an iconic production.

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JEREMY O. HARRIS: Tom, you're here.

TOM FRANCIS: Hello.

HARRIS: You muted yourself once again.

FRANCIS: Oh, hang on. That's better. How are you doing?

HARRIS: Great. Babe, welcome to the Tony Nominee Club.

FRANCIS: What the heck?

HARRIS: It's crazy. Did you weep?

FRANCIS: Yeah, I shed a few tears. I cried when I was by myself at the day's end.

HARRIS: It's so bizarre to me that you would cry because you've already got an Olivier. What made the Tony feel special?

FRANCIS: To achieve this on my initial job, I'm understanding how much this task has provided me. I became a bit emotional after the show since it was so adoring and amazing the prior night. The spectators were just generous, and it impacted me a bit.

HARRIS: What were some of the shocks from last night?

FRANCIS: Well, I cannot believe I received a cheer when I emerged from the body bag.

HARRIS: You did?

FRANCIS: Yeah. That felt truly special. There was an extreme amount of energy in the room last night.

HARRIS: I admire that. I'm reflecting upon the spectators and their craving for you, and that cheer that happened, and I must tell you that when I was back in L.A., a friend of mine was like, "I require you to communicate to him that I'm the person that paid $7,000 for his t-shirt in the auction." I think you all sold your t-shirt one night?

FRANCIS: Yeah. We've done it a few nights for the BC/EFA and the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

HARRIS: I believe in his mind, he's paid the most. I'm not sure if that's accurate.

FRANCIS: He's definitely up there. Somebody came in, and the bid was seven-and-a-half, eight. Subsequently, they paid an extra two-and-a-half on top because they assumed it was a good charity. Thus, it was about ten-and-a-half or something.

HARRIS: Whoa. For your sweaty T-shirt. Have you encountered crazier fans in New York or London?

FRANCIS: I'd propose that the more random incidents transpired in London.

HARRIS: For real?

FRANCIS: Yeah. The sweetest anecdote is in London. There was a homeless man who set up camp outside the front of The Savoy every single night. I used to bring him food and other items and chat with him, and I ended up forging this relationship with him. He used to, every single night, holler down the Strand, "He's coming. Everyone, be silent." I figured that that was the sweetest thing in the world. I formed this rapport with this guy, as though he was another individual in the show. I simply thought he was adorable. I only discovered afterward.

HARRIS: Wow. That's insane. I also wanted to hear more about your association to Jamie [Lloyd], because this is the person that helped give you a platform to share your immense gifts to the world. What was that initial meeting like?

FRANCIS: In the first audition, I was rather nervous. He's such a prolific director, and I aimed to do a commendable job. He genuinely championed me and believed in me in numerous ways. I mean, this opportunity has completely changed my existence. I owe a great deal to him for trusting me, and permitting me to work alongside him on this project, because it's a challenging role. It's a lot of singing. He's been indispensable in assisting me through everything that's materialized. I owe him a lot.

HARRIS: How old is the character in the narrative, and how old are you? Because when I picture this story, it's a man much older than you.

FRANCIS: Yeah, but that's why it makes it more heartbreaking, the fact that Joe's utterly and completely over the industry at such a youthful age. I'm twenty-five, and I surmise our Joe is around the same age.

HARRIS: One of the great revelations in this production is the youth that both you and Nicole possess. The reality that everyone is treating Nicole like she's ancient, and you're washed up. Yet, both of you have considerably more life and potential within yourselves. It discloses the genuine heartbreaking character of Sunset Boulevard in a radical manner.

FRANCIS: He's encountering rejection, left, right, and center. In this industry, you receive numerous no's before you receive yeses. To arrive at that stage where he's already questioning it at such a young age, it's enjoyable to play upon. The fact that Nicole is an exceptionally beautiful woman, and so youthful, it renders that narrative much more brutal.

HARRIS: I concur 100%. When I witnessed it, I was instantly taken aback. It was akin to Disney in a way, but in absolutely the right way. The moment you perform that opening number and drive in that car, it transitions into a full-tilt IMAX movie. It rendered me speechless unlike anything else.

FRANCIS: It's consistently wild to observe the audience's response. That video screen is functioning at 3% brightness, because if they went any higher it would incinerate people's retinas. That screen is unbelievably luminous, so whenever it's activated, you can see so much of the audience. In my peripheral vision, I can witness their jaws simply drop.

HARRIS: And the justification for their jaws dropping isn't merely due to the spectacle of that screen descending. It's the awe you receive from seeing someone who has an actual leading-man, cinematic face. What does it feel like to be making that transition now, from a theater actor to a movie star, because you're in the new season of You and you're about to be in this massive Peter Berg film [The Mosquito Bowl]?

FRANCIS: I'm so thrilled about it. I've done a bit of TV and film material, and it's such a distant cousin to the stage material that I've accomplished. I have affection for the stuff that Pete Berg makes. I adore the way that he films it. And I'm exhilarated to learn from him, in reality, because he's packed with so much wisdom in his brain that he can simply impart on me while filming. The other chaps in the film are so gifted. I'm eager to pick their brains and determine what that looks like for me.

HARRIS: There are so many films I can envision you participating in.

FRANCIS: You need to compose one for me, Jeremy.

HARRIS: I've an idea, although you may be exceedingly busy. I recall my agent was discussing the boy that he'd just signed from London. This Tom Francis, how he was the next immense superstar. I progressed from being the apple of my agent's eye to witnessing you become the apple of his eye. What has it been like navigating America? The majority of individuals arrive in New York with a suitcase and five dollars in their pocket. You came with a steady job, and with this entertaining, integrated agent as one of the individuals to assist you in navigating it all.

FRANCIS: It's been a trip, indeed. New York is rather fun. Going on excursions with John has been ideal since I'm a country boy at heart, and John is an outdoor individual, so we undertake little fishing trips. I journey upstate for the weekend and see him, inhale some fresh air, and not have to hear a siren for the first time in a few months. He's genuinely taken me under his wing, and I appreciate him exceedingly for that.

HARRIS: How many states have you been to in America?

FRANCIS: Two.

HARRIS: New York and Connecticut?

FRANCIS: Three, then, 'cause I've been to Washington D.C. as well.

HARRIS: Wait, thus you haven't even been to the West Coast yet?

FRANCIS: No. I have not yet.

HARRIS: So you've never seen the genuine Sunset Boulevard?

FRANCIS: No. I've been too swamped, man. However, Nicole resides off Sunset Boulevard, hence I think I'll head out to visit her at some point.

HARRIS: Individuals who experience these huge successes on Broadway instantly get besieged by Hollywood and get pulled away. Subsequently, you don't see them on stage again.

FRANCIS: I'm unequivocally returning to Broadway.

HARRIS: I desire you to have the Broadway marquee name that Jonathan Groff possesses, or Jeremy Jordan. These fellows that, when ordinary theatergoers observe them in a performance, they buy a ticket irrespective of what. I heard your vocalizations, and I was like, "He's the new generation."

FRANCIS: I matured listening to them. That would materialize into a dream come true. Denzel Washington invariably articulates, "You are compelled to persistently return to the theater." I want to emulate the kind of journey that he's embarked upon, and go and dip your toe in the film world and then reappear at the theater.

HARRIS: Denzel's dipped more than a toe in. What are the shows we can line up for you presently that'll ensure you remain there?

FRANCIS: I wished to perform Dogfight. I desire to do Company. I'm disappointed that Merrily's just occurred because that's my favorite show of all time.

HARRIS: Oh, yes. You're a massive Sondheim fanatic.

FRANCIS: I adore Sondheim. And I would adore to do Rent.

HARRIS: Rent is one that we desperately need to revive. I don't comprehend how we haven't possessed a proper revival of Rent for a considerable amount of time.

FRANCIS: It's wild.

HARRIS: David Cromer apparently did a really cool production of it in Chicago.

FRANCIS: I think we should hook it up. I would also adore to perform Lungs.

HARRIS: Lungs, the play?

FRANCIS: Yeah.

HARRIS: What's going on with that play and British individuals? You know who else desires to perform that play?

FRANCIS: Who?

HARRIS: Paul Mescal.

FRANCIS: Perhaps we'll do it together.

HARRIS: Oh, that's hot. I am fond of that.

FRANCIS: It's a splendid play. And then, conceivably in fifteen years, a revival of Slave Play.

HARRIS: Oh, hush. Don't do that. That's insane and incredibly kind. You are aware my preferred musical is Jesus Christ Superstar?

FRANCIS: I'd be thrilled to perform that role. That's my principal go-to audition song.

HARRIS: It is? Hence, you're a Judas.

FRANCIS: [Laughs] Yeah.

HARRIS: Are you acquiring adequate sleep?

FRANCIS: I'm sleeping a considerable amount. I'm going to the gym frequently. Are you familiar with Alex Fine? I've been visiting the gym with him lately.

HARRIS: I adore him. He's outstanding. He's wedded to Cassie.

FRANCIS: Yeah.

HARRIS: Perhaps I'll accompany you chaps to the gym. I feel that when I encountered you, you were just transitioning into a gym-goer.

FRANCIS: Yes, I was. And now, I'm obsessed.

HARRIS: How did you develop an obsession?

FRANCIS: I believe it's merely the way it causes you to feel. It's akin to taking a cold shower. It's something you are cognizant of that's going to awaken you, however, it's not going to be enjoyable. It stimulates you in a diverse manner. Additionally, it's the single time I can completely shut off my effing telephone and simply listen to some music and chill out.

HARRIS: I am fond of that. You're the best.

FRANCIS: Appreciate your time.

HARRIS: Are you venturing out tonight?

FRANCIS: No. I went out last night, man. Currently, I'm dialing in since we've got to show up.

HARRIS: You have to show up and show out.

FRANCIS: Show up and show out. All right, then, my love.

HARRIS: Love you.