BWW Interviews: GLEE PROJECT Winner Blake Jenner

Eleven weeks of intense competition came to an end last week as Oxygen's critically acclaimed competition series THE GLEE PROJECT crowned Blake Jenner of Miami, Florida as the season two winner, awarding him a seven-episode guest-starring role on season four of the hit series GLEE.

Blake's passion has always been in acting, with an added love for singing, although he's surprisingly never had a lesson. The actor chatted about the moment he heard his name called as the season 2 winner and what he will most likely take away from this life-changing experience.  

"I love BroadwayWorld, by the way," begins Jenner, as he speaks about his love of theater and the possibility of one day performing on the Great White Way. "I did plays in high school and middle school, so I love all aspects of acting but I think theatre and film and television, they're all completely different beasts and I think theatre's amazing...If I had an opportunity to be in a play in the future or in a musical, that's even better because musicals are so fun. I definitely see myself dipping my feet in those waters. I'd love to do that."

Jenner confesses that he was thoroughly shocked the moment he heard Ryan Murphy call his name as the season's winner. "I couldn't even think. I couldn't breathe. My mind was racing. I honestly did not think I was going to win," shared the actor. "I thought that I had fought until the end but I honestly thought that the two girls next to me...were going to win. They had stories that you could see when you look at them. Like, just by looking at them you'll see their stories and you'll see how their storylines could play out. Mine, you'd really have to get in depth but I honestly thought they were going to win. 

He continues, "I was getting ready to turn to them and, like, hug them because I thought for sure they were going to win and when he said my name, I couldn't even think because it was just like a dream come true. Like, this is something that I've been working towards since my first acting class when I was really, really young. I just can't explain it. It was better - the best feeling that I've ever had. I mean, when I jumped I think I almost flew out of happiness because I got really, really high. But, it was just amazing and the best moment of my life, honestly." 

Though head writer Ryan Murphy has not divulged any details about the character he will be playing on the series, Jenner is excited about the possiblities. "I think that it's going to be a surprise to everyone including myself because I have no idea at all," he says. "The only thing that I know is that Ryan tweeted the night of the finale, 'Oh, who will The Glee Project 2 winner be? Writing such a great role for the winner and just wait until you see who they are dating.' And when I saw it, I was like 'whoa, who am I going to be dating?' So the only thing that I know is that I'm possibly dating someone, so that's really, really exciting, but I know nothing else."

Asked is he had a "dream character" he'd like to play on the show Jenner offers, "I'd love to be a leader for the choir room... and I'd love to be that 'go to' guy for everyone... but he's also got some stuff - some skeletons in his closet, you know. He's got some stuff in his life going on that he just doesn't want to open up because he's so used to being there for everyone but he's not used to having someone - have to vent to someone - to finally help him after he's helped everyone."

The 19-year-old would love to have the chance to perform a dance number by one of his idol's, Michael Jackson. "I'd love to sing, "The Way You Make Me Feel." I'd love to, like, dance out that song because that's the type of dancing that I grew up with, is watching Michael Jackson and loving his music. And also, like a Gavin DeGraw song. I'd love to do "Not Over You" or a song by my favorite band, The Cab."

Caryn Robbins is a features editor for BroadwayWorld, covering TV, flm and the best of Broadway theater.

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