VARIETY: How did the two of you bring such sweetness to that scene?
MERCED: They finally have the truth out there. And when you do finally confess that — ego aside, problems aside, and then fear aside — it’s like your heart just opens up, and there’s this sweetness. Especially with women, once we’re comfortable with each other, it’s like we don’t have any fear with that expression of love. And I wanted to make sure, yes, the most tense part is over, but there’s still an intensity to their love for each other. I think everything felt so tender that day, even when we were shooting it, Bella and I were just so comfortable with each other. And also, we both have experience in queer relationships — you can just tell when a girl hasn’t kissed a girl before. You can just feel it. So both of us were already fine and comfortable, and so we could really explore. We added some kisses that weren’t in the original script. We added some moments that weren’t there just based off of our comfortability with each other.
VARIETY: As a queer person, what does it mean to you to have that kind of representation on such a massive show?
MERCED: I mean, it’s awesome! No one actually thinks I’m queer, which is fine. I don’t really care. I’m an actor, so I can play anyone, right? But for it to mean so much to me personally is great and grand. And I just think about people from my hometown who maybe have never seen this side of me watching this and really getting to know me in a way, and understanding me and them really seeing it on a large scale.
variety.com