Daniel Franzese, popularly known for his role as Damien in Mean Girls, came to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on Oct. 17 to humor students. This event was hosted by the Campus Activities Board (CAB) but also included help from organizations like the Pride Center and Student Life-Wellness and Health Advocacy.

Currently on his Yass Amazing Tour, Franzese spent the evening talking about a wide variety of topics including his family, friends, ex-fiance, animals, other famous people and being Italian. The first part of the show was strictly comedy, and he had the audience laughing after almost every line. The second part of the show, however, was pointed towards the attending students. People from the crowd could ask him any question they wanted, and Franzese would answer honestly.

In one instance, a girl in the audience asked him, “What’s your favorite scene from Mean Girls?”

Franzese went on to say that his favorite scene was when he sang the song “Beautiful,” by Christina Aguilera, which occurs during the talent-show part of the movie.

Following, he said, “And I will sing ‘Beautiful,’ but only to you, so come up here.” Franzese brought the girl up on the stage and sang the song to her while hugging her.

Another question that a student in the crowd asked was, “How do you like Wisconsin?”

Franzese replied, “I love Wisconsin because I love cheese.” This response sent the audience into laughter.

Not only did Franzese answer funny, light questions, he also talked more about what he has done outside of acting. “When I got Mean Girls, I didn’t know the impact it would have. I had gotten fan mail through the years, but 10 years later I got this letter from someone and he said, ‘I don’t know if you’re gay or not, but it doesn’t matter. You helped me survive high school and people actually liked me for me. Thank you for giving me an identity.’” He went on to explain that he was really the first chubby, gay guy that had ever “been allowed to just be” in a movie.

Franzese mentioned that he once had the opportunity to become an ambassador for the HIV/AIDS Foundation. He explained a realization he had related to the topic, “After 9/11, the focus about HIV in the media switched to other things, and the rates of HIV increased every year. It made me realize how much representation matters.”

He added, “When you are creating, make sure that if there is something missing in the field that you are in that represents you that isn’t there, put it there. And when you see something that represents you that is written from someone else, tweet about it. Support it. That’s how you make a difference.”

Franzese hit on a wide variety of topics and emotions throughout the show. After he finished, students were able to meet him and take pictures.