The third season of Fox's LGBTQ-inclusive hit TV series 9-1-1: Lone Star is currently in full swing, and although stans of the show's beloved queer couple TK and Carlos (a.k.a. Tarlos, for the uninitiated) have been really put through the emotional wringer over the past few weeks, stars Rafael L. Silva and Ronen Rubinstein want them to know it's not for nothing.
As a matter of fact, the two heartthrobs want the Tarlos fandom to know their love and support still mean everything to them.
Speaking to Out at the 2022 GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles over the weekend, Silva and Rubinstein opened up about the love they have for Tarlos stans, the importance of seeing positive queer love and representation on television, and more.
"The traction that Tarlos has gotten it's clear proof that it's about time we have that type of representation on network TV," Silva, who plays Carlos Reyes on Lone Star, the series' resident police officer and the love interest of firefighter-turned-first-responder TK, who is played by Rubinstein. "A queer love, a beautiful queer love, bi-racial queer love. It's important to have that. And the fact that it's being celebrated by so many people. We're very grateful for Tarlos fans. And I love you guys so much. It's a clear indication that we need to recognize these stories. We need to tell these stories. We exist and I'm ever grateful for Tarlos fans."
"Best fans in the world," Rubinstein added. "I mean it. Every single time, you guys truly are. It is surreal and such an honor. The biggest thing that blows my mind is how global the fan base is. People, like, from tiny villages to tiny countries to tiny cities that you could never imagine that they'd have access to our show, and they do, and they are so proud to see it and to celebrate it. And I'm just so grateful for every single one of them."
Watch Rafael and Ronen speak to Out on the GLAAD red carpet in the video below.
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