‘Representation Is So Important’: Cian Griffin On Being Grá Ar An Trá’s First LGBTQ+Contestant

Cian Griffin Pic: Brian McEvoy

Earlier this summer, it was confirmed that Irish language dating show, Grá ar an Trá, would see it’s first ever LGBTQ+ contestant.

James Kavanagh previously told us: “The representation of a gay person in there is brilliant and it does work and hopefully shows like Love Island can see that. I think it also brings drama, gays bring drama, and you will see that. It is just extra spice I think, so why not!

“You don’t need to have an LGBT Gra ar an Trá and straight one it’s nice to just have it mixed and I think this show has shown that it does work.”

And now it’s been revealed that Cian Griffin will be the first gay contestant on the show.

Speaking to us at the Hayu InstaStar Awards he is all smiles as he confirms that he’s buzzing to take part in the reality show.

“Your favourite Gaeilgeoir’s favourite Gaeilgeoir!” he jokes, paraphrasing Chappell Roan.

“I am the first LGBTQ+ contestant on Grá ar an Trá, not the only, but the first! Obviously, Gaeilge and being gay are huge parts of my brand so I thought why not do that on TV? I wanted to be the representation that I didn’t get to see growing up. Being that representation is really important to me. Not only does it tick the ‘Make good’ box, it also ticks the narcissism box in me.”

He goes on to say that he had a “game plan” to make sure that he could speak about the importance of representation on screen, especially in Ireland.

 

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“I’m a slut for reality TV. So I went in with a game plan of talking points that I wanted to hit for those people, the importance of representation and my coming out story. I hope I represent those people well and I hope I represented myself well.”

And that’s not the only big project he has coming up. He announced his new podcast, First Things First, earlier this month. And he teased what listeners can expect.

“There’s just not enough cis white men with podcasts,” he laughs.

“It’s coming out on the 20th of September. And exclusively, the first episode is with Pádraig Wilson McCarthy. There are some very cool drag queens, politicians and TV stars on it. Honestly I’m shook that I even got them as guests. So watch this space!”

You can check out all the winners of this year’s Hayu InstaStar Awards here.