Oct 17
Cheyenne Jackson Memorializes BFF Gavin Creel, Reveals His Words of Wisdom
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
In a moving post made not long after Broadway star Gavin Creel died of cancer, fellow out performer Cheyenne Jackson poured his heart out and shared a key bit of advice Creel gave before his passing.
Just Jared reported on Jackson's poignant essay, which was addressed to Creel.
"For two months I've been bracing myself for this day," Jackson wrote on Instagram after Creel's death on Sept. 30. "Reading the outpouring of love from all who loved you brings me some comfort, but I'm still stuck in anger. I'll get to acceptance, I know I will...but for now I'm not there," the post added.
"22 years ago we met and it was an instant spark," Jackson recalled, going on to praise Creel for the way he "made me feel seen. I felt free with you. I marveled at your ability to make everyone in any room feel comfortable. It was innate for you....never put on."
Jackson wrote about how he admired Creel's voice, as well as his "curiosity about others and the world" and his "wicked and disgusting sense of humor".
"I loved the way you opened your heart. I loved the way you loved my kids. I could trust you with my secrets and never worry about feeling judged for my mistakes," Jackson imparted, adding: "I've never really had many close male friends.... I can be a bit of a lone wolf and I can isolate. But you knew that about me and never let me be alone."
As any close grieving friend might, Jackson expressed the thought that "I'm not sure what I'm going to do without you in my life," before going on to emphasize that he was going to take advice Creel offered in his last days, writing, "what I AM going to do is live my life. You were VERY clear about that in these last few weeks. You said to me 'Cheyenne, you have so much life to live. So so much. SO LIVE!'
"I promise you. I will," Jackson finished his touching post. "I will love you until the day I die compadre."
During their more than two decades of close friendship, Jackson "even stepped in to play [Creel's] role in Broadway's 'Into the Woods' during a brief leave of absence back in summer 2022," JJ recalled.
Fans flocked to the comments to offer praises of their own.
"Wow- that is so beautiful," one comment red. "It's just not fair."
Stated another: "It's devastating and tragic. What a gift his friendship was to you."
A third added: "What a beautiful expression of love of a true friendship".
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
