Fat boy.

After some success in community theater in his native Texas, gay actor Ash Christian moved to Los Angeles and landed roles on TV shows, including Boston Public and Cold Case. Now, at 21, Christian has written, directed, produced, and starred in Fat Girls, a film about a gay high school senior and his 300-pound best pal (Ashley Fink). The film had people lined up around the block when it premiered in Mays Tribeca Film Festival.

Where'd you get the idea for Fat Girls?

I grew up a theater boy in Texas, so the film shows some of the torture that I went through growing up. I did have a 300-pound best friend, and I've always sort of felt like a fat girl on the inside, someone who didn't really fit in.

What inspired you to write a script?

I was working in television, and I was getting the quirky, fat best friend roles, and it's not really fair, you know? I would say 1% of our population looks like Paris Hilton and 99% of people want to see real people on the screen. I wanted to do a movie that would give me the opportunities that I wasn't getting.

Did you plan to direct and star in it?

I always wanted to star in it, but I didn't always want to direct it. I hired a producer and raised money from wealthy families in Dallas. It was a hard road, but I wouldn't accept no for an answer.

What was it like growing up in Texas?

It was hellish, but it was also interesting. I kind of miss the days when I was starring in Peter Pan at the community theater. It's kind of scary for me right now. I'm putting myself out there; I'm 21, and people can either like me or not. It's so surreal, I kind of feel like I'm in a dream world.

Are things getting better for gay youth in Texas?

It's better in New York and L.A., but people are still being beaten daily in Middle America. Every day in Texas someone is being harassed or beaten up because they're gay.

Were you afraid to come out professionally?

I've been encouraged to be closeted, but I can't do that to myself. It would ruin my entire life. I want people to know that I'm proud of who I am and I'm happy to be the person I've become.