© Tyler Golden/Oxygen Media
The truth is there are times when a teen who has been a developing a talent in sports or other gift and invested a lot of their time - and yours - will feel the pressure, either internal or external, to step up their abilities no matter what. If a teen does not also feel an added
confidence in their abilities at that same time, quitting will seem like a viable option. We have to remember that teens and young adults are developing their identity. Therefore, they assess the
pressure they are under, make tough
choices and feel they will be able to succeed down the alternative path they have chosen instead of the one they were on. They may or may not. That's the thing about choices, you never know about the outcome until it happens.
I believe Cameron took a good look at the competition and thought he wasn't going to go much further. He has a real
moral belief that kissing someone when you are dating someone else is wrong. Plus, he must have been tired of being in the bottom for so many weeks. When Ryan Murphy gave the ultimatum about kissing Lea Michele and then asked him if he was quitting, while he didn't answer him directly, Cameron gave him an answer by saying I don't think this is right for me. While I admire his conviction, it is a shame he had to lose such a wonderful opportunity because of it.
What do you think? Should Cameron have quit? What did you teen say?
Please share your thoughts in the comments area.
While I do think Cameron’s reasons for leaving the show are sincere, I have to wonder if he was later convinced to use his dilemma to add drama to the competition.
Cameron doesn’t believe in the kind of sexuality glee is trying to show on tv. He can do the food fight, the looks, but THERE IS A LINE. We all know that teens age are very hard years due to the grow of our bodies and hormons being produce. Having that kind of sexuality show on TV makes teens have feelings they are not prepare to deal with. They go all the way to result on pregnency and abortion. He knows in his heart that is wrong, is not just a simple kiss, is not just the pressure of being in the botton. HE KNEW IN HIS HEART THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT and he saw the other kids risking anything (specially the girls kissing and being so sexual) that for him was a major factor to feel bad about it and quit. This is is real, this kid had great values and I aplause HIS PARENTS for teaching him well. I WISH ALL TEENS WHERE LIKE CAMERON
Yes he should be applauded for his moral values but they are not realistic. I find it strange that you talk about Glee promoting indecent sexuality when, in fact, Glee is probably the most honest show out there in certain respects when it comes to teenage issues. Things like teen pregnancy and bullying of gay youth are things that are spiraling out of control and need to be addressed. It’s ridiculous to even consider that glee, which only started airing 2 years ago, is responsible for ‘pregnancy and abortion’. You mention that sexuality in the show ‘makes teens have feelings they are not prepare [sic] to deal with’, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. These kinds of shows are an outlet for teenagers and show them that there are other people going through similar situations. I applaud Cameron for a stand for what he believes in, even though I think he will regret it down the line. I also applaud Glee for allowing the real issues to be told honestly on television so people are both aware and tolerant of the issues facing teens today
I WISH ALL TEENS WHERE LIKE CAMERON
You know what causes pregnancies and aborts? Teenagers being like Cameron.. There, I said it.
Cameron initiated an activity (The Glee Project) without knowing exactly what it was about. He wasn’t informed and he thought he could get through it unscathed. He didn’t gave it much thought.
Glee has touched, several times and sometimes even deeply, sexual maters. Every single Glee charachter from the main cast had had a romantic relationship at this point, from a couple of kisses to much more explicit behaviour. Did Cameron really thought he could be spared from that? Either he was being awfully naive, or he was being delusional. Or, worse, he had never watched Glee.
Why didn’t Cameron quit when he saw that the producers were forcing a girl into a sexual situation she wasn’t comfortable with? In earlier episodes, Ellis (I think that’s her name) was forced to give her first kiss to a total stranger. He could have reasoned “hey, they could require something like that from me, and I would be very uncomfortable, perhaps I should quit now.” But he didn’t. He wasn’t concerned, so he didn’t say anything. Standing up for your values isn’t something to do only when you’re involved, but every single time. They made Sam (another Christian guy) play a gay guy and Cameron never said anything. Not to the producers, nor to Sam.
What Cameron did, was out of pure self-interest, not moral values. Sure, it went against his morals, but what made him quit was the fact that it made him terribly uncomfortable. The morals explanation, imho, looks like a bad excuse.
He used The Glee Project as a publicity platform. While that isn’t bad per se, I find quite offensive that he used his religion and his “values” as a pretext to quit the project.
I’m not sure what to think about Christians that defend so ferociously a guy that has only used their religion to his own benefit.
The producers had pushed Cameron a couple of times to cross his mortal boundary line. I think they lost a very good role model to teens. But I think he did the right thing by leaving — he knew they would have kept pushing him, and I think he sent a very strong message by leaving. NOTHING is worth crossing your boundaries.
Murphy told Cameron they would be flexible with him…. respect his values and he still quit, so there’s more to it than his refusal to kiss a girl while acting a scene. They said he wouldn’t have to.
Can’t read his mind, but my guess is that he did not want to be tempted by the question being raised.
One has to ask, would he feel right watching someone else kiss during a scene? We can be sure he has watched many shows with kissing scenes.
Easy to sympathize, but it also feels self-righteous.
It seems anytime a Christian stands up for his/her own beliefs it is considered self righteous. I admire this young man’s ability to walk away from something that could potentially bring him fame and fortune. This shows that there are people out there who won’t compromise their beliefs and morals for the almighty dollar. Sex and sexuality are shoved in our faces on a daily basis whether it’s used to sell cosmetics, cars, and even food. Some people prefer to keep that part of their lives private and exclusive a concept that is completely foreign in today’s sexually driven society.
It would be easier to sympathize with him if he had auditioned for The Sesame Street Project and he abandoned because he was asked to make out with Elmo.
Sorry, but he auditioned for The Glee Project, a TV show that has talked about sexuality multiple times. If he didn’t want to bring his sexuality to TV, he shouldn’t have auditioned for a show like Glee in the first place. It’s like a priest watching a porn movie on his own volition and then complaining about it, for being so blatantly sexual.
That’s what makes him look so self-righteous.
If he had started singing Christian Songs and then refused a contract to, say, sing sexual rock songs, he would have been applauded. But it’s not the case, and it’s not even comparable.
Actually, they did NOT say he wouldn’t have to kiss a girl–they said, “so what happens if we write around your principles, and then I get a call saying you won’t kiss Lea Michele? What am I supposed to do then?” A pretty clear indication that they didn’t get his principles, or that a character who was true to those principles WOULDN’T kiss Lea Michele (something Murphy seems to find inconceivable). Cameron had to decide whether, at this point, he was more committed to a career in acting (where you really can’t refuse to simulate physical attraction or engage in a kiss) and his principles. I find his principles a little hard to relate to (or at least, in an actor), but they are his, the are sincere and important to who he is as a person at this point in his life, and he stuck to them despite ENORMOUS emotional, financial and career-advancement potential inducements to sell himself out. I think he is an amazing role model not just for kids–and really not about sexuality or chastity, but in being true to yourself. I wish Murphy had the imagination to write a character like Cameron, and then not sell it out, but frankly, Murphy doesn’t seem to understand that anything happens in the life of a teenager other than sex, crushes, and either being a jock or feeling left out for not being one. Maybe Cameron will make him broaden his horizons, rather than having another season of senseless, boring and unconvincing partner switching and icky voyeurism.
They could very easily write a role for him where he had those principles and still had a kissing scene… what if they wanted to do a dream sequence for a girl on the show that had a crush on him? Or what if they wrote a storyline where Lea Michele just pounced on him and he had to push her off? He would still have to kiss her. TV is all about the different ideas there are out there. Also, even though I believe the idea of writing a character like Cameron with those beliefs is wonderful, we are all still human. Everyone goes through doubts. ALSO, what if his character had those beliefs (only kiss the girl you’re with) and then they wrote an amazing storyline for him and Lea Michele that put them together, meaning they ARE boyfriend and girlfriend? Even though his character would be staying true to his beliefs, he still wouldn’t be able to do it, because as a real person, he is dating someone. If he can’t handle that, then he shouldn’t be an actor. (In my opinion, he’s an amazing musician and should DEFINITELY travel down that road!)
Bottom line, I kindly disagree with you. They completely understood and respected his principles, but there are just so many possibilities for story lines, especially one where his character is faithfully committed to another girl, but Cameron the real guy has another girl at home so he won’t do it.
Other bottom line? It’s ACTING. It’s PRETEND. Cameron the real person isn’t kissing some other girl, Cameron’s character is. I am a Christian who is deeply in love with my boyfriend, and I’m also an actress that kissed a guy in a show. My boyfriend didn’t bat an eye, because he knows how much I love him, and he knows that it was acting, not me kissing this other guy, but our characters kissing each other.
But still, good for him for not backing down and being strong. Everyone has their own beliefs and how they feel about it, and he stuck to his. I was hoping he would win, he’s pretty freaking awesome.
I don’t think we really disagree on the main point: if Cameron’s principles mean to him he can’t play a part involving kissing someone not his real girlfriend, he isn’t committed as an actor. It’s absolutely possible to be a Christian and an actor, but for Cameron his beliefs (whether religious or just his gut) say that if that’s what acting takes, right now acting isn’t for him. I admire him for knowing himself & not sacrificing his deeper convictions. I was overbroad saying a “character” true to Cameron’s principles wouldn’t kiss Lea Michelle: theoretically a plot could respect that character yet still lead to a non-gratuitous kiss, which wasn’t moral breakdown in the character’s eyes (tho honestly I’ve no real faith Glee c/would do it in a way that isn’t as unbelievable, cynical & exploitative as everything season 2). Regardless, what Murphy ‘offered’ C to keep him when C had said “this isn’t for me,” was entirely illusory: saying they could write around his concerns, “but what if you say you won’t kiss someone even THEN”? Even what? To C, how’s kissing on the show any different than kissing now? Not saying it’s at all an unreasonable demand, or that a guy unwilling to act should get the part, just that it’s untrue they said he wouldn’t have to kiss anyone: that they weren’t really promising anything of the kind was evident right there. Cameron was right: the part ought to go to a committed actor, not someone “playing himself,” whose personal convictions need either be sacrificed or written around. IMO, Murphy should CREATE characters with believable arch & cast professional actors, not cobble together real ‘personalities’ and irratically “write to” their real-life quirks. If he did, we’d have an idea who Quinn, Rachel and Finn are supposed to be beyond constantly roving, increasingly boring, lips. Cameron’s a hugely talented and compelling musical artist. I hope we’ll see him again very soon.
I don’t consider Cameron a quitter. His morals and beliefs are very real and very personal to him. Everytime a Christian voices his/her opinions they are immediatly either torn down, frowned upon, or made to seem self righteous. Sexuality is a very personal and private matter to some people although society and Hollywood have cheapened it and use it as a means to sell everything from cars to food. I admire a young person who can walk away from the possibility of fame and fortune because he won’t compromise his values for the almighty dollar. He knew what was asked of him went against his beliefs and chose to honor who he is and what he stands for. Good for him!
He’s not a quitter but a confused person. Did he think that The Glee Project was a church activity?
He’s not a quitter but a confused individual. Did he think that The Glee Project was a church activity?
Cameron is not a teen. He is 21. I think he has a grasp on who he is. It is poetic justice. He is christian & sacrificed his contender’s spot. I’m happy he is true to himself.
Okay, I understand completely what everyone is saying on here that Cameron could have been a role model, that it was inspiring to see him leave…. yada yada.
The only thing that I admired of it all, was that he said he didn’t want to take up a spot from someone who was in it to win it, unlike him.
I loved Cameron and was hoping he’d win it throughout the whole show, he had what it took, even the moral beliefs were part of his IT factor.
Like Cameron, I am also a Christian and believe that cheated on a significant other is monumentally a sin… BUT unlike Cameron, I am mature enough to understand the difference between myself and my own moral beliefs and my character and HIS moral beliefs. Two completely different things…
If I have a girlfriend and have to kiss a girl on the set because my character has a crush on her character then so be it…
That is acting my friend… and if he couldn’t handle that or understand that (especially since he joined on his own knowing what goes on in that show AND hes 21-22 so he is not a teenager) then he definitely deserved to go.
Good riddance.
Yes I agree completely. If you are not willing to separate fact from fantasy, you have no business being an actor. He’s an adult and I assume he’s dating one as well, and should be prepared to deal with these things in real life, otherwise I think he’s in for a rather hard life. These are the kinds of things that have to be dealt with before one makes the decision to go ahead with a show like this. Obviously he wasn’t prepared to deal with it and left at the last minute.
I hope he has a career as a musician. He’s talented and I hope he makes the most of the exposure he’s gotten so far.
That’s not really fair.
Physical contact always goes deeper than what is being portrayed. Just because he’s ACTING like he’s enjoying a kiss doesn’t mean that the kiss has no effect on him. In the end, his lips are on hers and that’s going to have a physical/emotional affect on him.
Maybe he doesn’t want to ENJOY a kiss with anyone but his girlfriend. In that sense, he can’t kiss any girl that he is physically attracted to. If he doesn’t want that, then that’s his prerogative and leaving was the right thing to do.
That is all just to say that the whole character vs. actor argument isn’t really encompassing the whole issue.
We should respect whatever went on in Cameron’s mind and heart during those moments. He wasn’t comfortable with the theme and it really showed on his face and actions during the entire shoot. I can almost feel his turmoil as Ryan Murphy was talking to him. But I do not believe that he quit because he was tired of being in the bottom three. He even showed enthusiasm when told he would be singing Blackbird. In all his interviews, he has never displayed anger about being chosen in the bottom list. He has shown how good natured he truly is. I deeply admire his convictions although he will surely be missed by “The Glee Project” fans. I hope that he’ll make it big in some other projects that will better fit him. I honestly feel so bad right now.
It’s quite illogical for him to quit because he wouldn’t want to kiss someone on camera.
He let Lindsay JUMP on his hips, for goodness’ sake. He held her and continued singing, signaling his willingness to let someone jump on his hips in front of the camera. If he wanted to avoid sexuality, he should have started there.
He clearly is feeling something weird about kissing, but we did not find out what it was. My gaydar is buzzing softly.
Too bad – I think he is the one the producers really wanted, and so far, I would have preferred to see him in the cast above the others.
I was incredibly impressed with Cameron’s courage. I was already a fan; now I am his biggest fan. He stood up for his convictions under enormous pressure. It had to be hard to say NO to all the fame and fortune that could come from winning the competition, and Ryan Murphy practically begged him to stay. But he knew that the behavior he had been asked to display was only the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps he went in with high hopes that he could maintain his Christian values and ethics, while also vying for a spot on Glee, but he found out along the way that it just wasn’t going to turn out that way. I hope Ryan still asks him to come back and be on Glee. Cameron is a great role model!
well he told us the reason why he left its on his youtube channel
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dniVqDTwOds)
Cameron just did what God was telling him to do. He discerned that something wasn’t right and he was very willing to do something about it even if it meant leaving the competition for him. I salute Cameron!
People seem to forget that the actors and actresses on Glee are in their mid to late 20’s and even some older than 30. They are adults portraying teens. Cameron at 18 or so, would have been portraying himself mere months ago in High School. Its hard. He made a decision and I respect him greatly for that. Godspeed Cameron.
While Corey Montheit (Finn Hudson) is near his thirties (or so I’ve heard), I’m pretty sure Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel) was 19 when Glee started.
And Cameron is 21 (born in 1900).
So, sorry. Either he’s just not mature for his age or Chris Colfer is just very mature for his age.
Both, probably.
What people keep forgetting is that nobody forced Cameron to audition, and that he had plenty of opportunity to learn what Glee was about.
cameron <3
I’ve never seen this show before, but I was so proud of this kid to realize that he may have to compromise his moral convictions for his own passions (acting/singing) In the end one would loose out. The world as a whole says “you should follow your heart YOUR dreams”. Faith in Christ however encourages, nay, demands the opposite. Which is to slave for the kingdom of God. One can have hobbies and what not, but when you make acting a profession, usually a director will not offer you the chance to “work around” your beliefs. I don’t really think this director would have really done that, or I think this kid eventually would have felt like he would have to give in, to appease his director and his eventual audience/fans. Cameron, you made a very wise choice, and I know you feel like you might have missed a big chance at something grand. But, it seems to me like you also know you chose the better portion, like Christ did when he was tempted with all the kingdoms of the world. Tough choice, but wow, a good one. I was surprised.
While I applaud Cameron’s principals, we have to remember that this is an acting, singing & dancing role. While Ryan Murphy wanted him to stay, questions were being raised by Cameron and the professionals as to his willingness to perform as an actor. Even the well established personalities, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, are performing roles on Glee; they are acting. Actors learn to separate their roles from their personal lives. Cameron began to realize that being an actor required him to play a character different than his personality and that increasingly bothered him. A good singer, a so-so dancer, a distinctive personality but Cameron was not willing to be an actor.
I really understand Cameron for his decision, and I don’t believe he will regret it. As everyone could see, he is a person who really sticks by his morals. He wanted, wantS, to be in Glee. But, as he realized, he was taking a big stand that might potentially greatly hinder Ryan Murphy’s capability of writing for him. He feels like though he may want it as much as anyone else in the competition, he’s too unwilling to cross the line and that the others deserve to win more because they would do more TO win.
We all love him for his personality. Easy to say he’d be a better actor if his morals weren’t THAT strong, but he’s a better person because they ARE that strong, and we love him more because of it. He has a career in music though. Absolutely no doubt about it.
I think it was a really bad decision to leave. I think he failed to listen when Ryan told him he was willing to let himn stand by his convictions and write for him and he missed a HUGE opportunity to reach and be an inspiration to a lot of Christian teens. Super short sighted.
I am 19 and my mom and dad rasied me right its good he quit that man is wad trying to break him in compromising yall all now what good and whats bad u feel it u know its bad to be gay it says it in the bible u know tv,games,cell phones,movies on on is too keep u occupied they make laws u dont know about so dont let ur kids watch tv it make them dummer
The bible also says that it’s wrong to use clothes from mixed fibers, so I guess you have never used poliester clothes.
Or ate shrimp.
Or have a vegetable garden.
Or let a handicapped person approach an altar (eew).
And you also believe women are worth less than men.
And promote slavery.
Leviticus, girl.
I think Cameron got a good look at where he was heading if he did make it on Glee, and he didn’t like where that was going. How could he be the inspiration for that character if he didn’t stand up for what he believe in? I think he made the right decision, and it had nothing to do with if he thought he could make it or not. i think he is a great role model and respect him for his choice.
Ok Cameron is 22 not a teen. His moral convictions are admirable. It is strange when others judge moral character as stupidity. I’m glad there are some in this world not willing to sell out for the almighty dollar. Cameron will be successful in life and blessed for sticking to his convictions.
I think Cameron definitely made the right decision by sticking to his morals and not dropping everything he goes by just for fame and fortune. He is someone I respect so much and it would’ve been great to see someone on glee to look up to, but it was his decision to leave the show. I respect that 100%.
i admire Cameron for what he did..
“To obey is better than sacrifice…”
God Bless you more Cameron.. God has a better plan for your career. (”,)
I think he is a great young person to walk away from what most young people would sell there soul for…. fame and money. I think he walked away not because of his morals because they asked him if he would stay as long as they didn’t cross that line….. he left to give someone else who didn’t have stipulations a chance at there dream. I love the show but that fact is there is a lot of sex on the show… I think it would be great if they wrote in a character like him and he is that character. I love his voice, look, style, attitude and everything else about him. I would be so excited if they brought him on the show.