Originally Published: June 1, 2021   |   By: Briani Allen   |   GR8T Magazine: Issue 02

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The star of 9-1-1: Lone Star and outspoken activist talks to GR8T about environmentalism, the social responsibility of celebrities, and his recent coming out…

“I know I have countless people looking up to me for guidance and inspiration. I take that responsibility with great pride and honor”, reflects Ronen Rubinstein, empowering his audience both on screen and off. Rubinstein recently came out to the public as bisexual through a piece released with Variety, though he had already established himself within the LGBTQ+ community through his acting. The Israeli- American actor plays T.K. Strand, an openly gay paramedic on the Fox drama 9-1-1: Lone Star. The show is two seasons in, and fans are eagerly awaiting a third, as the steamy romance between T.K .and police officer Carlos Reyes, played by Rafael L. Silva, continues to unfold.

Through this role, Rubinstein gathered the clarity he needed to come out. “Playing T.K. was maybe the first time I got to fully embrace a side of myself I had to suppress and hide for most of my life”, he says when asked about the correlation. But he couldn’t have done it without one other important group of people. “The other massive part was the fans. Or as I call them, #BestFansInTheWorld. They have opened their hearts and souls to me the past two seasons, so the least I could do was open my heart and soul to them as well”.

9-1-1: Lone Star truly excels with its diverse characters, connecting with fans in ways that other procedural dramas haven’t quite done before. Rubinstein’s character plays a huge part in this level of connection, as T.K. Strand has inspired real-life first responders to come out. The experience is as heartfelt to Rubinstein as one would imagine now that he himself has come out. “It’s one of the greatest moments of my life. It also makes my job so much more personal and important”, he says.

The 27-year old considers acting what saved him from going down what could’ve been a much darker life path. “I was one of those kids that got into lots of trouble, hung around troublemakers and let’s just say, had “unhealthy habits“. My guidance counselor suggested I go into theatre to get away from all of that stuff“. That simple suggestion has taken Rubinstein far lengths, as he continues to prove himself as a star on the rise.

Rubinstein has acted in many other projects, including Orange is the New Black, portraying Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett’s love interest, Nathan. 9-1- 1: Lone Star has been the biggest break-through for the actor however, especially considering the overall success of the show. The series has garnered favorable reception, being Fox’s most watched new show of 2020 among adults aged 18-49, as well as earning a nomination at the 32nd GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Drama Series. There are still genres of films and shows untouched yet by Rubinstein that he would love to explore. “Comedy. Just a good ol’ fashioned Comedy like Step Brothers or something. That would be amazing”, he muses.

Rubinstein is graciously seeking to use his newfound stardom for nothing but good. “It obviously opens up incredible doors in both career and life. Opportunity and a platform to speak to people are the things I’m most excited about and proud of when it comes to “Fame“”. In fact, he agrees with the idea that celebrities have an obligation to use their platform for activism. “Especially with the extra chaotic environment of the world recently”, Rubinstein says,“we truly need all hands on deck. It just happens to be that celebrities have A LOT of influence and reach”.

While he is an outspoken advocate for many types of philanthropic efforts, Rubinstein focuses his energy mainly towards environmental sustainability. One way he sought to live more sustainably is through making the switch to a vegan diet in 2020: “The meat and dairy industries are in the top 3 biggest polluters of the planet. [Plant-based food] also tastes amazing. so it hasn’t been that hard of a transition”. Rubinstein strives to maintain his efforts in other ways too, though. More recently, that has consisted of a deep dive into the hydrogen energy revolution. He’s been working with the company Energy Independence Now, which is led by Brian Goldstein. “They have been providing me with a Fuel-Cell (Hydrogen) vehicle since 2019. It looks like Hydrogen will be the new wave of transportation and energy. We can achieve zero-emissions as a nation much faster if we can commit to responsible and renewable hydrogen energy”.

GR8T shares our support in acknowledging the importance of environmentalism, and we encourage everyone to do what they can in their own lives to help make a difference. When asked what Rubinstein would recommend as a GR8T first step? “Research, research, research. We are so fortunate to live in the age of internet and social media. Knowledge and opportunities are literally at our fingertips. As an easy intro, I would recommend researching my beloved friends at Project Zero, The Ocean Cleanup and EIN”.