A starring role in the film adaptation of Naked Boys Singing, premiering at the Mardi Gras Film Festival, has Kevin Stea baring more than just the truth.

Kevin Stea didn’t have a Billy Elliot-styled, tutu-clad epiphany.

With dozens of performance gigs to his name including a key role in Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour, the 38-year-old Hollywood native studied business and the history of modern thought. Even when he realised he would spend his life dancing, Stea’s mother still pined for his education.

“Dance,” he says, “became a way of just doing and being, rather than conceptualising.”

A co-star of the smash Naked Boys Singing, his role is the latest in an endless series of gigs.

It began when penniless months of near starvation were replaced by a commercial, a movie and a TV role, all on the same day. He’s since appeared in Birdcage, Rent, Sister Act 2, Austin Powers, Viva Laughlin and with Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour.

“I was never a fan and I didn’t understand how popular she was until we were on the road. I rarely get star-struck but it was shocking,” he tells AXN.

Madonna’s brother introduced the pair and soon after the video shoot for ‘Vogue’, Stea was asked to join as dance captain and associate choreographer.

Unfortunately, backstage gossip remains backstage. “As for juicy tales, I have to stay pretty mum on that!”

Naked Boys Singing is based on the runaway stage show that takes the clothes off ‘gay life, body image, love, loss and yearning’. Along with Stea, it also stars Jayson Currie and newcomer Joseph Keane. Co-director Troy Christian was the “straight eye for a gay guy!”

Stea appreciated the crew’s non-gay members as, he says, the film “could have easily become semi-porn. They helped refine the sexuality and focus of the show”.

Of course, that didn’t mean running a PG wash over the R18+ content – Naked Boys Singing remains exactly that. Naked. Boys. Singing.

After Naked Boys Singing there’s not much left to hide, so he’s making a point of toe-tapping outside his comfort zone.

“I’m writing a sort of autobiography and a book on the world of commercial dance. I’m slowing down a little on performance but am looking for ways to share my knowledge and experience. Directing, that’s right up the list!”

Stea’s not divulging what he’s got in mind exactly, but my money’s on Madonna: The Untold Story.

Naked Boys Singing premieres on February 25 at The Palace Academy Twin, Paddington. For details visit www.queerscreen.com.au .