When Adrian Anchondo first showed up in Port Charles as the mysterious Marco Rios, daytime TV fans had questions. A lot of them. Some were about his character’s complicated history with Natalia and the Sidwell family, but most were about the man behind the role. Specifically, people have been scouring the web asking: is Adrian Anchondo gay in real life?
The answer isn't a "maybe" or a "rumor" anymore. It’s a very loud, very happy yes.
While some celebrities like to play the "I keep my private life private" card for decades, Anchondo took a different route. He didn't just confirm his identity; he hard-launched a full-blown soap opera crossover romance that had the internet losing its collective mind right as 2026 kicked off. If you’ve been out of the loop, here’s the real story on Adrian Anchondo, his partner, and why his openness actually matters to the genre.
The Instagram Post That Ended the Speculation
On December 30, 2025, just as everyone was gearing up for New Year’s Eve, Anchondo dropped a carousel of photos on Instagram that basically served as his official "coming out" to the broader public, though he's been out in his personal circles for a long time.
The photos weren't subtle. We’re talking shirtless beach shots in Puerto Rico, cozy cuddles in Florida, and a video of a New Year's Eve midnight kiss. The man by his side? None other than Colton Little, who plays Andrew Donovan on Days of Our Lives.
"This Christmas made my heart pop," Anchondo wrote in the caption. Honestly, it made the fans' hearts pop too. It’s rare to see two active soap stars from competing networks dating, let alone two men who are both playing gay characters on their respective shows.
📖 Related: Harry Enten Net Worth: What the CNN Data Whiz Actually Earns
How They Actually Met
You might think they met at some fancy Hollywood gala or a "Soap Stars Only" mixer. Nope. It was way more "real world" than that. According to an interview with Michael Fairman, Adrian actually reached out to Colton on social media after he landed the job on General Hospital.
He was looking for advice. He wanted to know about the grind of soap acting, how the SAG health insurance worked, and what to expect from the fandom. They had mutual friends, so it wasn't a total "cold call," but they met up for a drink to talk shop and, well, the rest is history. They were "hooked" from the first night.
Why "Is Adrian Anchondo Gay" Was Such a Hot Search
In the world of daytime drama, representation has often been a bit... well, slow. For years, gay characters were played by straight actors, or the storylines were relegated to the background. When Anchondo joined General Hospital as Marco Rios, he was immediately thrust into a romantic storyline with Lucas Jones, played by the legendary Van Hansis.
Van Hansis himself is an out gay actor, and he’s been vocal about the "ease" of working with another gay man. In a 2025 interview, Hansis mentioned that during screen tests, about half the guys were gay and half were straight. He noted there’s a certain comfort in not having to worry if your scene partner is uncomfortable with a same-sex kiss.
Anchondo has echoed this sentiment. He told Soap Opera Digest that there’s an "added pressure" to get it right. He’s aware that he’s not just playing a part; he’s representing a community during a time when media representation is under a microscope.
👉 See also: Hank Siemers Married Life: What Most People Get Wrong
A Journey of Vulnerability
It hasn't all been tropical vacations and red carpets for Adrian. He’s been incredibly raw with his followers about his mental health. In 2025, he shared a post reflecting on his struggles with:
- Intrusive thoughts
- The emotional toll of rejection in the acting world
- Self-doubt and anxiety
- Acceptance of his ethnicity and sexuality
He’s 42 now, and he’s talked about how it took time to get to this place of total transparency. Seeing him now—smiling on a beach with Colton Little—feels like a win for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to hide a part of themselves to get ahead.
Beyond the Screen: The "Real" Adrian
What most people don't realize is that Adrian isn't just an actor. He’s a multi-hyphenate. He recently finished his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Think about that for a second. While he’s playing out dramatic "who's the father" plots on ABC, he’s actually trained to help people through real-life trauma.
He’s also a filmmaker. Long before General Hospital, he was known in the Bay Area and Los Angeles for creating viral parodies and shorts that often touched on queer identity and Latino culture. He’s never been someone who just "waits for the phone to ring." He creates.
The Impact on Soap Culture
Look, soaps are built on fantasy. But for a long time, that fantasy was pretty narrow. Seeing Adrian Anchondo and Colton Little living their lives out loud changes the "Heated Rivalry" (as some fans have dubbed the GH vs. Days romance) into something hopeful.
✨ Don't miss: Gordon Ramsay Kids: What Most People Get Wrong About Raising Six Mini-Chefs
It’s not just about who he’s dating, though. It’s about the fact that he doesn't feel the need to separate his "actor self" from his "gay self."
If you're following his journey, the best thing you can do is support the work. Watch the shows. Engage with the storylines. It’s the ratings that keep these inclusive stories on the air.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow Adrian on Instagram (@javichondo) for the most authentic updates on his life and career.
- Catch him on General Hospital to see the nuanced performance he brings to Marco Rios.
- If you're struggling with similar issues of identity or mental health, look into the resources provided by organizations like The Trevor Project or NAMI, which Adrian has supported in the past.
The mystery is solved. Adrian Anchondo is gay, he's in love, and honestly? He's just getting started.