'90210' Star Was Bullied In High School

Though Michael Steger’s high school years are more than a decade behind him, the 90210 star said he has no problem playing a teenager every Tuesday on The CW. “High school was so traumatic for me, so I remember everything very vividly,” he told Crushable yesterday. “It was a period in my life I both loved and hated.”

High school was traumatic, Michael said, because he was bullied so much that he had to switch schools. “It was a wealthier school, very hard to get into. didn’t know anyone. It took a lot of starting over — very similar to Dixon’s experience [on 90210].”

Michael’s wife, actress Brandee Tucker, probably helped him through those traumatic times, since the two went to junior high, high school, and college together — though they didn’t start dating until after college. Michael’s secret to a long-lasting relationship? “Patience.”

In 90210’s first season, Michael’s character, Navid, started out as more of a second-string player. But this season, his storylines — in particular, dealing with girlfriend Adrianna’s drug issues and pregnancy — have slowly brought him to the center of the action. “I think last year there was a focus more on original characters who came back,” Michael said. “We were sharing the screen with a lot of different people. Now there’s a focus on the new generation in Beverly Hills, and they can give attention to all the characters.”

In tonight’s episode, Michael said the usually calm Navid goes off the rails a little bit. “He’s trying to recruit Dixon and Liam to plant cocaine in Jasper’s locker. He’s in a little over his head — he’s frustrated that no one believes him about Jasper pushing him down the stairs so takes things into his own hands.”

In coming episodes, Navid will get a new lady love interest — and so will his ex, Adrianna. Michael said it will be a little difficult for Navid to deal with Adrianna’s new girlfriend. “Navid’s thinking, ‘Why is Adrianna with another girl? Does she not like men anymore? Did I do something wrong?’” he said. “He is kind of blaming himself for turning her gay.”

Michael’s Favorites:
TV: Right now my favorite show is Rome. I just finished watching it on DVD. I love Friends, love the whole cast of Friends. I’m always in and out of Lost. I’m going to wait until it’s finished to buy the DVDs.
Movies: 12 Monkeys, The Last of the Mohicans
Music: I love Spanish rock, Gypsy Kings, Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette. I have very eclectic taste. My iPod is just full of a ton of music, from classical to rock to rap.
Clothing: My favorite line is probably my brother’s line. He’s the lead designer for J. Steger. He’s always giving me some of his clothes to wear. I just go to his warehouse and he hooks me up. He’s been up and running for about a year and a half, all over the country. He’s been doing really well.

(Photo: WENN.com)