Jared Leto On ‘Conservative’ Hollywood & What He Really Thinks About Kanye & Taylor

Jared Leto thinks Hollywood has a long way to go.

The “Suicide Squad” star took home an Oscar in
2014 for his heart-wrenching turn as an HIV-positive transgender woman in
“Dallas Buyers Club,” but in a new interview with GQ Style he said he
believes minority actors are still facing an uphill battle.

“I definitely
don’t think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight
leading man,” he told the mag. “I don’t think that. Not for a single
second. I don’t know if that’s offensive or not, but that’s my thought right
now.”

Jared clarified that
while it “shouldn’t be that way” and he wishes the term
“minority” would be “taken off the list” entirely, the industry
as a whole is what ultimately needs to change.

“I think that
this is still a very conservative business,” he said, explaining that he
does see an evolution beginning to take shape. 

PHOTOS: ‘Suicide Squad’: Behind The Scenes 

“We’re in an interesting time right
now where people are exploring all kinds of different ideas of identity, not
just masculinity or femininity,” Jared said. “Maybe a whole new
paradigm. I think that’s great. Because a lot of people probably are
marginalized still, and finding a sense of identity is critical to empowering
people. For myself, I have never had a specific idea of masculinity. I think
it’s okay just to be yourself and whatever that entails. You know, I’ve
certainly never felt required to present myself in a certain way.”

After nearly 20 years
of fronting the top-selling alternative band 30 Seconds to Mars, Jared’s strong
opinions transfer to his other profession as well.

The 44-year-old also weighed
in on two of today’s most powerful music icons — Kanye West and Taylor Swift.
Instead of commenting on the pair’s heated feud, however, he offered kind words
about both superstars.

“He’s a friend and has always been,” Jared said
of the rapper. “Kanye has always been the nicest person to me, kind and
generous. I think he’s a talent, and I really appreciate his ability to speak
his mind.”

WATCH: Jared Leto: Taking On The Joker In ‘Suicide Squad’ Was An Honor

He has similar high regard for Taylor, even after coming
under fire last year for a video in which he said he doesn’t “give a f— about her.” Jared later
apologized for his remarks via social media, and told GQ Style what he admires most
about the “1989” singer.

“She’s
great. She triggers a conversation with myself about what’s possible. And you
know, the thing I like about Taylor is she’s a self-made woman. I see that in
my mother,” he marveled. “There were probably points in Taylor’s
career where someone else maybe would have been knocked off balance by
criticism or other challenges, and she just kept marching forward.”

Kanye
and Taylor may have more in common with Jared than they think.

Despite being an
Academy Award winner with an anticipated summer blockbuster on the way, Jared said
that if given the option, the rock star life is what feels most comfortable for him – not acting.

“I would choose
music, for sure,” he told the mag. 

— Erin Biglow