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Brandi Burkhardt talks Crickett’s coming out storyline and “lesbian loyalty” on “Hart of Dixie”

We know Brandi Burkhardt as the endearing, adorable, and newly out Crickett who brings much needed gayness to the town of Bluebell, Alabama. We’ve watched her come out to the community at her would-be vow renewal with Stanley and accept an invitation to her very first date with a girl—the equally adorable Jaysene. Now that she’s become the out and proud southern belle next door, we’re dying to see Brandi’s character get some action in the romance department.

Brandi talks with us about how she came to be a regular Hart of Dixie cast member, the unexpected nature of Crickett being a lesbian, and possibly a bit of reassurance that her newly acquired lesbian following will not be left disappointed.

AfterEllen.com: What originally attracted you to the role of Crickett?

Brandi Burkhardt: Originally, it started as just a one episode character and so I got an audition and I went in. I was excited about it because it was a new show. It was one that, instinctively, I thought I could be a part of because it’s very small town and cute. You could tell that the tone was really enjoyable—light, but still purposeful. I went in and I booked the job. The dynamic between Lemon and Annabeth and Crickett was such that they kept it going for the entirety of the show.

AE: You started out thinking it was going to be just one episode and then it turned into something more. When did you know that she would be coming out as gay?

BB: It’s very funny because, when Crickett was renewing her vows at the end of Season 3, all I knew was that I was going in and trying on wedding dresses. They kind of keep the story hush hush.

AE: That was really late for you then. You were thinking you were renewing your vows with Stanley?

BB: It came so far out of nowhere to me, especially because they teased with the fact that Stanley was probably gay. So, I was going to the table read the next day and it was about midnight and I was like, “I better read the end of the script.” And flipping through it, I was like “What?! What just happened?” It was really funny. And nobody saw it coming. At one point when we were filming the scene, one of the cast members had obviously not read that part of the script and you heard reactions when I said it in the first take. It was really funny and I was like, “That’s what I thought.”

AE: So there were probably some genuine reactions from other actors on the show?

BB: Yeah, exactly.

AE: What did you think about it? Did you think this is going to fit? Or this is completely out of left field; I don’t think it’s going to work? Were you comfortable playing a lesbian?

BB: My biggest concern was “How do I do that?” The wonderful thing about it is she doesn’t change. She doesn’t all of a sudden wear pink, sparkly combat boots or whatever we assume lesbians are. The good thing was it happened, but nothing changed—she’s just now dating women. It was kind of nice that we’ve gotten to that point.

AE: I appreciate that about her story. I’ve always been a feminine girl and, when I came out, I thought I need to look like a lesbian. So, I went through a phase of doing the “combat boot thing” and it just never felt like me. Eventually, I came back to what I’ve always been which is just a feminine woman who happens to date women, so I admire that in Crickett—that she skipped that step that so many of us had to go through to really accept who we are.

BB: It’s actually nice to hear you say that because, even as a straight woman, I was just trying to ask the questions that I would’ve asked. The fact that you went through the same kind of questions, even if we didn’t see Crickett going through them. That’s comforting. I didn’t know if I could represent this as well as someone who may have gone through it. So, that’s nice to hear.

AE: Did you think the way in which you portrayed Crickett would or should change as an out gay woman? I guess we’ve already answered that. You said you’ve continued to be who Crickett always was; she just happens to date women now.

BB: I wasn’t sure if that was the right thing. Each episode as it unfolded, I was like, “What’s going to happen next? How do I do this?” Because, again, it hasn’t been my journey. You just don’t want to misrepresent something that is so important to people. I didn’t plan on doing that. It’s partially the writers and how it was written. I was trying to be careful with it and treat it with care, so each episode presented a new opportunity. As the season went on, I was like, “I see what’s happening.” It’s easy to say all this now, but going through it, I was like, “Hmm, how is that supposed to happen?” I just really played being in love with somebody.

AE: LGBT people tend to be very loyal to actors that play gay. How do you feel about potentially having an indefinite lesbian fan base?

BB: Well, awesome!

AE: That’s what we do. You play gay one time and we’re probably going to be interested in all of your projects and be following it just because you played Crickett.

BB: Awesome. I’ve been on the Broadway stage and I know that there’s these little niche followings that people seek out, in every medium. But, I’m flattered and thrilled.

AE: Have you gotten any negative feedback from viewers since Crickett’s coming out?

BB: You know, I haven’t, which was surprising to me. And yet not because I live in Los Angeles and I lived in New York, so I don’t encounter much in the way of discrimination. It didn’t surprise me. I actually hadn’t thought about it until you just asked me. Thankfully, I didn’t get any. I wouldn’t have been prepared if I had.

AE: You’ve done a great job of portraying what it’s like for some of us when we’re newly out. To what or whom do you credit your ease in doing so? Did it come naturally or with research or did you use the experiences of someone else to draw from?

BB: I kind of said to myself, “What would I do in this situation?” And because I didn’t know what I would do, it was nice to be able to go on the journey with her. I didn’t know what the whole thing would look like until the season was over. Now, I can look back on it. I tried to walk through the steps like anybody would have, coming out in a small town like that. And there’s a part when I mention how few options for dating there are.

AE: Yes, I loved that part. It’s hilarious!

BB: It’s like, “Wow, thank goodness we have a firefighter.” She doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’s just trying to work it out. I think that’s the fun part of it—watching the awkwardness and watching her walk through all of those emotions and come out on the other side with a good relationship.

AE: I guess it makes more sense to walk through it with her because it’s more authentic. It’s the first time for Crickett and it’s the first time for you, so you’re experiencing it as she is, rather than needing to do it the right way or how everybody else did. In all actuality, it’s different for all of us.

BB: That’s a nice thing because I didn’t have an agenda. I was just trying to be true and handle it with care. I wasn’t trying to put my own story in it; I was just trying to be authentic.

AE: Every week, we hope to see the date. The last episode she was going to take you to a gay bar and you were talking about what you were going to wear. It’s a feeling of anticipation that all of us felt at one time or another.

BB: Yes, exactly. I wish we would’ve gotten to see that part. It would’ve been hilarious. We’ll see her do a whole bunch of other things, though.

AE: Can you tell us anything about the future of Crickett and Jaysene?

BB: Tune in Friday nights! But the lesbian loyalty is definitely there.

Hart of Dixie airs Friday nights on The CW.

Follow Emily: @EmilyAMcGaughy

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