Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
Originally from Fresno, California, Frankie Rodriguez is of Mexican descent and is the youngest of three siblings. With a BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy), Frankie’s passion for the arts is unwavering. Frankie is a proud part of the LGBTQ community and strong advocate. Passionate about authentic representation and respectful portrayal of queer characters in media, Frankie advocates tirelessly for creating safe spaces for all LGBTQIA+ individuals. He is deeply invested in supporting LGBTQ+ organizations and advocating for environmental causes. As a big milestone, Frankies character Carlos marks the first openly gay character in the Disney High School Musical franchise.
His passion for beauty runs deep, exhibited within his new nail line Freeland launching on June 25th to the world! His innovative, bright and cheery nail line is sure to create excitement just in time for summer and Pride Month with the nail color names in rainbow order 
– Pink fizz fiesta
– Orange dreamsicle
– Glow stick dance party
– Kiwi cake pop
– Bounce house blue
Frankies currently lives in NYC and his interests include a love for reality television—especially all things Housewives—singing, performing, painting his nails, and traveling to tropical destinations! Whether he’s acting, singing, or supporting causes he cares about, Frankie Rodriguez is making a positive impact and creating safe, inclusive spaces for everyone.
Frankie welcome to OLC! Thank you for speaking with us. So tell me how did you know you wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry and was there anyone who inspired you to want to be an actor or singer?
I was a kid who loved dressing up and performing. My earliest memory of performing is putting a pair of red pajama pants on my head and singing “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. It was quite a thrill. I took most of my early inspiration from soap operas. I loved how dramatic they were and would act out the scenes when I was by myself.
What has it been like playing Carlos in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and being part of a show that has such a significant cultural impact?
Playing Carlos felt like the biggest manifestation. I was a HUGE High School Musical fan, so to get to be a part of that legacy in this new fresh take on the franchise was a dream.
As the first openly gay character in the High School Musical franchise, how important is it for you to see authentic representation of LGBTQ characters in media, and how do you advocate for this in your work?
It’s so important to me that any openly gay character I play is more than just a stereotype of what we might be used to seeing on our screen. I feel like with HSMTMTS I got so incredibly lucky with the creatives behind the camera who were always advocating for authentic storytelling for all of the queer characters on our show.
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your nail polish brand “Freeland” and what sets it apart from other beauty products on the market?
Freeland is a party where everyone’s invited! What sets Freeland apart from other beauty brands is the interactive experience you’re able to have with the Freeland community. During the pandemic, I started going live on Instagram and TikTok and painting my nails with anyone who wanted to join. We called them Nail Painting Parties. Now, it’s grown into a community of so many wonderful people who want to join the live, chat about life, and paint their nails. It’s really incredible, sweet, and l love that part of the brand so much.
You’re set to star in Hulu’s comedy series Chad Powers. What can you share about your role in the show and what drew you to this project?
It’s still very early on in the process for Chad Powers, but what I can say is it’s one of the funniest pilot scripts I’ve ever read. It’s based on the Chad Powers character created by Eli Manning for his EPSN+ docuseries “Eli’s Places.” It’s going to be a great show!
How do you manage balancing your career as an actor, singer, and now an entrepreneur with your nail polish brand?
Ha, a loaded question. Right now, it’s one day at a time. Some days are crazier than others. I have such a passion for everything that I get to do, and I feel so lucky to be in a place where I can call this my career. I always dreamed of being in this exact place in my life, so while some days might be more challenging than others, I’m just so grateful and I try to lead with that.
Growing up in Fresno, California, and being of Mexican descent, how have your cultural background and personal experiences influenced your career and creative projects?
I feel like it’s influenced everything I do. I’m so proud of my heritage and where I come from. Thinking of the people before me who sacrificed so much so that I can follow my dream makes me emotional. I hope I make them proud.
Beyond your on-screen roles, you’re known for your advocacy work within the LGBTQ community. What initiatives or organizations are you currently involved with, and why are these causes so important to you?
Right now, I’m working hard on making a name for myself so that the next generation of kids who look like me can have it a little easier. Of course I will always do whatever I can to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and making sure that we’re heard and seen. It’s important to me because I feel like we still have so much to say and so many more interesting stories to tell.
Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations in both your acting career and entrepreneurial ventures? Are there any dream roles or projects you hope to pursue?
I love acting so much so any world where I get to do that, in any capacity, I’ll feel so lucky. I’m so excited about the launch of Freeland and would love to see all the different places I could take the brand creativity. Hmm dream roles…I always have to say something on Broadway…And I haven’t done a movie yet, so I’ll add that to the list. Thank you for chatting with me!
Social Media:
Freeland Social Media:
Website: www.lovefreeland.com
Instagram: lovefreelandco
TikTok: lovefreelandco
