Creation and casting According to the show's early stage directions,
Ugly Betty creator
Silvio Horta conceived Justin "as an effeminate 11- or 12-year-old" boy. However, Horta did not write Justin with the intention of creating television's first gay child character, but simply as "a humorous foil for Betty", serving as a young fashion-forward advisor for the main character. the creator was particularly fond of the character and approached his coming out delicately. Specifically, Justin and Hilda's relationship is based on Horta's experience growing up with a single mother. Having come out to his own Cuban-American family at age 19, Horta saw some aspects of himself in Justin, elaborating, "Growing up, I certainly felt like an outsider at times. But there's this sweet innocence in Justin that sees the positive". although he described himself as "never quite as flamboyant or as into fashion or, you know, musical theater” as the character he created. Justin is portrayed by American actor
Mark Indelicato, who was 11 years old when he was cast in the role. Passionate about performing from a young age, the actor answered a casting call for the character who was described as "not a buff typical Latino boy", while performing in his school's production of the musical
Forty-five Minutes from Broadway. Apart from commercials and theatre, Indelicato had only had two guest television roles before being cast in
Ugly Betty, which would become his
breakthrough performance. Describing Justin as a great character, Indelicato was drawn to the role due to its inspirational arc. created mainly "to counter Betty in a humorous and touching way".
Ugly Betty's parent network,
ABC, would typically avoid providing a direct answer when asked about Justin's sexual orientation by the media. In 2007, Indelicato told a reporter that Justin's orientation is unconfirmed, and the decision "has nothing to do with me." In a 2009 interview, Horta confirmed that Justin's sexuality would finally be addressed in the then-upcoming fourth season. Justin originally denies being gay to his family in the fourth season episode "
Backseat Betty". Despite viewer speculation that Justin has a
crush on Marc, Horta insisted that Justin's admiration is
platonic and solely resembles that of an "older brother he wishes he had". personally identifying with the storyline.
Characterization and themes Indelicato considers Justin to be a
dynamic character who is "far more than just his sexual orientation." Justin is passionate about
Broadway musicals and fashion. Despite exhibiting stereotypical personality traits commonly associated with gay men, such as a strong interest in fashion and Broadway, as well as sometimes worrying about gaining weight, The closest the Suarez family comes to labeling Justin's sexuality is referring to him as "mighty festive". exploring the challenges of "Being that overtly camp kid at school".
TV Guide's Angelique Anest believes Justin's "wings [were] clipped by not growing up inside the sequined and bedazzled mansion he occupied in his head." In a 2006 article, Gretchen Dukowitz of
Advocate theorized that
ABC's hesitance to confirm Justin's homosexuality "doesn’t mean he won’t eventually come out", observing that the show shares a network with the
sitcom on which comedian
Ellen DeGeneres came out as gay. Commenting on the character's age,
Slate's June Thomas observed that although the then 12 year-old Justin might be "too young to be gay ... he’s certainly not too young to be tormented ... for his love of fashion, musical theater, and whatever else it is that TV homosexuals like." Although Hilda, Justin's single mother, at times wishes he would behave "more like a 'normal' boy" to spare him the harassment sometimes endured by gay boys, she continues to support him wholeheartedly.
NPR's Joe Reid observed that while most television series approach coming out stories "like the dropping of nuclear bombs",
Ugly Betty's Justin "was able to explore the challenges in growing up 'different,' even in a world that's rapidly coming around." == Critical response ==