The Marvelous Miss Maisel fans witnessed a return to the show of beloved singer, sweetheart Shy Baldwin from LeRoy McClain in the fifth episode. However, it was under very unhappy circumstances.
McClain spoke to Entertainment Weekly about his character’s journey to being a gay man. He also discussed the direction of Shy’s sham marriage with Monica (Chinara Hill).
Midge (Rachel Brosnahan), who discovered Shy Baldwin earlier in the season, had dropped her off his world tour, after she outed him at a set. She was soon engaged and received a wedding invite.
McClain stated that Shy has not made peace with his decision to marry. He is a businessman and his business acumen will help him get there. He must do everything he can in order to save his career.
It makes sense on that level but it doesn’t make any sense on an emotional level. You will find him there, right? He’s a smile machine when you meet him at his wedding. But what’s underneath it all is chaos.”
Midge discovered that Shy Baldwin’s former band and manager Reggie had all left, leaving Shy with no close friends.
“To not have Reggie is to not have his band. As much as he loves them, they are the ones that get him. He’s quite a tricky character. He is a bit of an unsolved mystery. Reggie is one of the few who are allowed in. Midge is certainly one of them. Reggie is the only anchor that you can see without. McClain stated that he is very alone.
Shy and Midge finally have a fight in the bathroom, and they air out their tension. “It’s all fallout of that Apollo set at that point, Monica being married to Shy Baldwin. He said that there was a lot bitterness and resentment.
Midge was hurtful when Shy apologized and offered to take her out for drinks.
McClain said: “Here is a friendly face. Although it flirted dangerously [with the truth] in Apollo, but nevertheless, it’s someone that he can and has felt a connection with.” This is coming from a genuine space of being in her presence. To have it then rejected is absolutely tragic.”
He also explained the historical influences of his character’s character’s story: “In my research for this character in 2018, 2017, when it was time to start, I inundated me with stars from that era. Johnny Mathis, Sammy Davis Jr., and researching as much as possible about the reality of Black performers at that time.
“Then there were those who had to also live a lie in order to gain fame. Some did better than others. It comes with a horrible price. It is a terrible thing to have to ignore an important part of your identity.
{The Marvelous Mrs Maisel season 4 airs Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.|The Marvelous Miss Maiselseason 4 is available Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.
