Damian McGinty Talks Returning For 'Glee' Season 4, New Love Interest (Or Two) & 'The Glee Project'

In real life, Damian McGinty is just as sweet as he was on "The Glee Project," and just as adorable as he's been as Rory Flanagan on "Glee" this season.

And yes, the boy can sing, which is why they've kept him around on "Glee" even longer than his prize as the winner of "The Glee Project" initially called for. But how many more episodes will he be on? Is he coming back next season? And when is he going to get a love interest?

I caught up with McGinty at Fox's Television Critics Association party to get all that scoop and more, including whether or not he plans to return to the Oxygen reality show that made him a star, and which of the leading ladies on "Glee" fans want to see him with.

When is Rory going to get some really good stuff to do?
You know, it's weird this season because so many of the core characters are graduating -- there hasn't been any new characters this season apart from me. It's hard for a new character to come in because the "Glee" audience wants to see the originals before they graduate. I think Ryan [Murphy] is nurturing me; he's growing me.

Do you feel that?
Yeah, I really do. So far I've been in six episodes, and three of them I've had a big part in. For me, that's good because I've never done this before ... I've never done acting before. It's crazy, but it's really helpful for me to sit back and watch Lea [Michele] do her thing. I'm loving it -- it's what I needed.

So next season you'll be ready to really go all out?
I hope so! That's my plan. It's a done deal!

Is it? Are you for sure coming back for next season?
No, that's not a done deal yet ... it hasn't been made official. I did win seven episodes, I'm on my tenth, so ... things are going good. [Laughs]

You mentioned Lea -- does she understand you now? I know she was having a really hard time with your accent ...
Yes! She worked on it for like three or four months -- we're now in the fifth or sixth month and she almost has me. [Laughs] I love Lea ... she's so inspirational. She's so professional in what she does. She's amazing. She's welcomed me with open arms. On set, she's like my big sister. I didn't imagine that happening, but she really is.

But your boys are still your boys ...
My boys -- oh yeah, absolutely! Kevin McHale is probably one of my best friends. Chord Overstreet is such a good guy; Cory Monteith and Mark Salling, hilarious; Chris Colfer, such a nice guy; Darren Criss, amazing. I can't speak highly enough of them -- they're all amazing.

For the next season of "The Glee Project," will you be back as a mentor?
We're having talks ... talks are ongoing. I hope to be back because I feel like last season I had ... whatever the ultimate "Glee Project" experience is, I think I had it. I also believe I could give them a lot of good advice because I know exactly what's going to come their way.

There's no way to prepare!
No, there's no way to prepare for this. "The Glee Project" really helped -- what I didn't realize was how much work is involved outside of work. I'm such a normal, small-time guy, and I'm not used to red carpet events and Hollywood freaking parties. I'd rather sit in and play Xbox! [Laughs] It's crazy. But I realize that it's part of my job, and I will never say no to anything.

What about a love interest for Rory? I think it's time!
It is time! At the minute, I don't know exactly what's going to happen, but I spoke to Ryan on Friday and there's a storyline coming up with me and a few other characters, so we'll see what happens.

Wait, multiple love interests?
We'll see! [Laughs] That's "Glee XXX." I don't think Rory's a threesome kind of guy!

I don't know if he'd know how to handle even one girl! Who would be your choice, or who do fans say they'd like to see Rory with most?
They're all beautiful, but I get Quinn a lot -- a lot of people tell me, "You should turn Quinn good." [Laughs] She needs a little Irish person -- a little Irish leprechaun. We'll see what happens.

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Comments

[Glee4ever]

4 minutes ago (10:36 PM)

I personally think a guy with a accent is good for glee and with a lot of characters graduating this season we need him to stay on!

[Peter Tobey]

04:37 AM on 04/18/2012

i only watched Glee because of Damian, i am not really a huge fan of the show. Actually, i started watching in Season 3 episode 4, where Damian made his debut... I was happy when his contract was extended but as of now, hes not on the show... i just hope he return... I love Damian so much...

[Yupp]

06:40 PM on 02/16/2012

I can't stand him on Glee! I didn't watch the reality show so I have no biases. Is his voice only good for ballads? Cause that’s all he does and he doesn‘t do them very well. I just heard that the Rachel like girl from the beginning of the season was on the reality show as well, now she is good! So is the new guy with the dreads. This guy however needs to leave! His scenes are painful to watch.

[Megan Madl]

08:20 PM on 02/16/2012

woah there! he is the best addition to glee. he can sing and act. his scenes are amazing and he makes glee!!

[ProudIrish]

05:50 PM on 02/20/2012

I disagree with everything you said. I watched the entire Glee Project, and I wanted Damian to win from the beginning. Samuel Larsen, on the other hand, has a tendency to say and do whatever it takes to get ahead. i.e. steal skadoosh from Hannah, and then say he was christian after Cameron left. I don't like Lindsay's voice. It's suited for musical theater, the same as Lea Michelle. Damian has a great personality which is not being utilized on the show.

[jschreiber2]

03:32 PM on 02/21/2012

I totally agree with everything you said. Larsen has no character whatsoever and would have killed his mother in order to win. I also find his one dimentionsal and detest his voice. Lindsay is good but yes, basically musical theater material . Damian has talent and most importantly screen presence. He should mature nicely.

[didutz89]

07:47 AM on 02/09/2012

It is really interesting and I am sure that other people thinks this too.
google

[Woots]

01:56 PM on 01/25/2012

oh God. I hate Damian on the show. He is a HORRIBLE ACTOR. I rooted for him dduring the glee project but his acting is painful. Everytime I see him on TV, during his "scenes", I'd get up to get a snack or start texting. Horrible horrible actor. Same expression, horrible diction. Why the hell is he still on. He doesnt deserve to be on gLee. Not as an actor. Perhaps more singing, less acting. It's a good thing they've kept him out of the way. Lindsay is impressive, both in acting and singing!

[jared92480]

09:31 PM on 01/27/2012

AMEN!! Couldn't have said it better myself. I can't stand this mushmouth and I'm not looking forward to the other winner from the Glee Project either. Damien's solos are the only times I've ever fast-forwarded through glee on my tivo.

[Fuergeiss Ghosiph]

02:06 PM on 02/09/2012

I like his accent and personally I think Glee as a show is weak on plot and acting ability. I like the show don't get me wrong but I don't watch it for stellar acting or even passable acting. I like Damien although someone needs to tell him to not smile so much during his songs but other than that he has potential.

[ProudIrish]

05:55 PM on 02/20/2012

If you want to be critical of someone, the least you could do is to learn how to spell his name (DAMIAN) correctly. Also, he is from Northern Ireland which explains his accent. Also, I like his voice better than anyone else on the show.

[Yupp]

06:42 PM on 02/16/2012

I agree completely! I also like the new guy with the dreads. He seems to have potential as well.

[smokey52]

12:25 PM on 01/11/2012

I absolutely love Glee, from the day it started it has become one of my favorite shows because it's just full of entertainment. The actors may not be the best actors on the screen but they are fun to watch. I have turned several people on to this show and they all seem to love it. Now for Damian, he is like a stuffed animal you have in your room, cuddly, soft, and precious! His accent is very heavy but it's fun to decipher, it makes me smile when I hear him. He has a really good voice, but what I find funny about anyone with an english, or british, or like Damian a heavy scottish accent, when they sing you don't hear the accent. As far as a love interest for him, I think Diana would be a great fit for him. I see the way he looks at her with those bedroom eyes on the show, and it just makes sense. They look like they would make a cute couple, even though she's a lot more experienced than him. After all he is a virgin on the show, and could very well be one in real life, and there's nothing wrong with that! What I'm very curious about is how they will write the boy with the dreadlocks into the show. I'd like to hear Damian sing more, and I like that the girls are starting to get more air time, they are all very talented!

[Charli Fool Bear]

12:10 PM on 01/11/2012

please, please, please let Rory be confused with his sexuality! That would make for such a relatable and intriguing storyline!

[Dexter Qubert]

09:41 AM on 01/10/2012

Maggie, keep the Damian updates a-comin'. Thanks

[zmas03]

04:52 PM on 01/09/2012

Please get him OFF!!! He's a sweet kid and everything, but I can NEVER understand what he is sayin. Not only that, he has one expression and he's acting in general is horrible. Please don't let him come back!!!!

[cat0115]

09:28 PM on 05/19/2012

and im sure you understand heavy indian accents, heavy spanish accents, heavy russian accents...i understand him perfectly and was born here..maybe you need to listen instead of just looking for your personal bias in Damian....we live in a world with accents...grow up

[AliciaVA]

04:36 PM on 01/09/2012

I'm a big fan of Damian. I rooted for him on The Glee Project and was happy to see how many episodes he ended up with.

[J McB]

04:16 PM on 01/09/2012

God how awful would scenes with Rory and Quinn be? Nether can act. He seems like a sweet guy but he has a long way to go in the acting department.

[smile up]

10:11 PM on 01/09/2012

LOL i like them but i have to agree with you damian and dianna agron are just weak actors

[greendream]

03:56 PM on 01/09/2012

Ryan Murphy's shows don't normally last more than a season or two. I'm surprised Glee has lasted this long. Wonder what they are going to do to shake things up next year.

I didn't care for the character of Rory at first but he's grown on me. Damian can stay.