Grey’s Anatomy Actor Comes Out As His Character Grapples With Sexuality

Last night Grey's Anatomy continued its decade-plus tradition of romantic and/or lustful moments in hospital elevators by finally having Nico Kim (Alex Landi) and Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli) cap their weeks of flirting with a brief make out session.

After some not-so-subtle hints, Nico, the surgeon everyone has been talking about, finally made his move on Levi, the timid, nerdy intern. The moment was brought to an abrupt finish when Levi admitted that that had been his first kiss with a man and Levi, spooked by the virgin effect, said that he had already dealt with his own coming out journey and "can't go through it again." After some metaphors from Levi about Nico being a great teacher (he gave Levi a crash course in orthopedics) and how he thought he was in a teaching hospital, Nico walks off the elevator.

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Last night, after the show's west coast airing, Borelli took to Instagram to make his sexuality explicitly known and to praise his role on the show as being the type of character he would have liked to see on television when he was growing up.

"As a gay guy myself, tonight's episode was so special to me. This is exactly the kind of story I craved as a young gay kid growing up in Ohio, and it blows my mind that I'm able to bring life to Dr. Levi Schmitt as he begins to grapple with his own sexuality this season on Grey's Anatomy. His vulnerability and courage inspire me every day, and I hope he can do the same for you. To all of you who feel like little Levis out there, now that I do too, that you are see, and that we're all in this together. And to everyone who has supported me over the years, I can't thank you enough, and I love you more than all the stars..."