“Modern Family’”s Eric Stonestreet’s Was ‘Hurt’ When Critics Said He Didn’t Want to Kiss Jesse Tyler Ferguson Because He’s Straight

**’Modern Family’ Stars Reflect on Groundbreaking Roles and Challenges of Portraying Love**

Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, known for their unforgettable roles as Cameron Tucker and Mitchell Pritchett on the hit sitcom *Modern Family*, have recently opened up about their experience playing one of television’s pioneering same-sex couples. Their candid reflections, shared in an interview with *The Guardian*, provide insight into both the joy and challenges they faced during their time on the show.

The beloved couple first appeared on screens in 2009, engaging audiences with their heartwarming story of adoption and family life. Stonestreet, now 54, expressed his feelings towards the criticism he received regarding the show’s portrayal of affection between Mitch and Cam, emphasising that comments questioning his willingness to kiss Ferguson, who is gay, were particularly hurtful. He stated, “What really hurt my feelings in the beginning was people saying because I was straight I didn’t want to kiss Jesse. First of all, that’s stupid and secondly I’d been in a very gay cult classic movie called *Girls Will Be Girls* where I’d made out with a drag queen, so please, girl.”

Ferguson, who is 50, echoed these sentiments, recalling the scrutiny faced by the couple juxtaposed with other relationships on the show, such as that of Jay (Ed O’Neill) and Gloria (Sofía Vergara). He noted that while there were typically more displays of affection between straight couples, the same could not be said for Mitch and Cam. “When you looked at all the couples on the show, there’s not a ton of PDA between Jay and Gloria either, but because we were the gay couple we took the heat,” Ferguson remarked.

The duo characterised their characters as a loving couple navigating the complexities of family life while raising their daughter, Lily, whom they adopted from Vietnam. The couple later rejoiced in the addition of a second child, Rexford Tucker-Pritchett, during the show’s final season. Ferguson recognised that the scrutiny placed on Mitch and Cam led to a deeper understanding of their relationship, complimenting the show for illustrating the flaws and strengths of their bond. “You can see how much love there is between those two people and the family they created,” he said.

One major turning point in their story was the handling of public displays of affection (PDA). The writers responded to fan concerns about the lack of kissing by integrating Mitch’s fear of PDA into the storyline. Ferguson recalled, “The writers’ response to that is that Mitch has a fear of PDA and then they made this wonderful episode called *The Kiss*… I found it so moving.” The episode cleverly juxtaposed a moment of affection between Mitch and his father with the much-anticipated kiss between Mitch and Cam.

As the series progressed, the creators of *Modern Family* acknowledged the importance of representation, considering the responsibility that came with portraying a same-sex couple on a mainstream platform. In an interview after the first season aired, creator Steve Levitan shared that the kiss had always been intended, expressing his desire to create relatable characters for audiences.

The impact of Stonestreet and Ferguson’s roles is reflected in the show’s accolades, which include 85 Emmy nominations and 22 wins during its 11-season run, including Stonestreet’s two wins for his performance. Ferguson himself received five nominations for his role, highlighting the duo’s significant contributions to the series’ success.

In their recent conversation, Ferguson expressed a newfound appreciation for the cultural significance of their characters. Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he lacked relatable gay role models on television. “To know that Eric and I are that for people makes this job feel like a gift,” he admitted. Both actors have noted how they continue to receive messages from young viewers expressing gratitude for their performances and characters.

Stonestreet added to this sentiment, revealing how profoundly it moves him when young fans, often born after *Modern Family* originally aired, approach him with their stories. “I don’t even know how to process it when a 14-year-old kid comes up to me and says, ‘I’m gay and I love your character and thank you so much.’ The fact we have an effect on people’s lives who weren’t even born when we shot *Modern Family* is unreal and I’m so grateful,” he stated.

With their heartfelt reflections, Stonestreet and Ferguson have reminded audiences of the importance of representation and understanding in media, serendipitously paving the way for greater acceptance and visibility in entertainment. Their commitment to portraying a loving family has left an indelible mark on both their viewers and the television landscape itself.