For Glee star Mark Salling, winning the role of high school bad boy Puck was all about the hair — an attention-grabbing Mohawk that made him stand out from the crowd.
“That was my idea for the audition. I wanted to set myself apart,” says the Dallas, Texas, native. “They decided to stick with it.” Salling, 27, might want to rethink dumping the hair. You don’t want to mess with success.
And let’s face it, it’s been nothing but success so far for the fledgling series — which recently won a Golden Globe for best comedy/musical.
The show’s appeal also appears to have no cultural barriers. On this day, Salling is fielding interviews from reporters in Australia, Spain, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico and Singapore.
Still, for Salling — an established singer/musician who plays multiple instruments — the show remains a challenge.
“I wasn’t in the glee club in school. I did more the traditional rock band,” he says. “Music has always been a part of my life. But I’m not a dancer. Sometimes it is difficult. But that’s why we have a great choreographer.”
Salling doesn’t see too much of himself in the character of tough guy Puck.
“At certain times I channel some of the douche bags I went to school with,” he laughs. “I expect they’ll be trying to soften him (Puck) a little in the future.”
As for his own music career — he’s already released an album — Salling counts Radiohead and Coldplay as influences, which isn’t exactly in keeping with Glee’s musical songbook. Still, Salling wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to write a song for the show.
“Well, I try not to press it,” he says. “But I would consider it an honour if it happened.”
