Young Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp recently came out as gay. The actor, who plays Will Byers in the hit Netflix series, made the announcement on social media on Thursday.
“I guess I’m more similar to [Will] than I thought,” he said in the caption.
In the video, Schnapp lip-syncs to audio saying, “You know what it never was? That serious. Quite frankly, it will never be that serious.”
The text above the video reads, “When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years and all they said was ‘we know.'”
Schnapp’s announcement received a lot of support and love from her social media followers. Many credit him for living his truth and being a role model for LGBTQ+ youth.
Schnapp has previously advocated for LGBTQ rights using his platform. He took part in a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Los Angeles in June, and he frequently expresses his support for the group online.
Schnapp’s arrival follows the trend of celebrities using the platform to shine a light on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people, fostering acceptance and understanding.
Other celebrities that have come out in recent years include Sam Smith, Ezra Miller, and Amandla Stenberg.
It’s clear that Schnapp’s announcement has had a positive impact on his fans and will continue to have a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community. He lives his truth and encourages others to do the same.
What Will Hid
Last summer, Schnapp admitted that Will was gay. He also revealed that Will may be in love with his best friend Mike, played by Finn Wolfhard.
This revelation came after seasons’ worth of hints and teases, such as a season 3 episode in which Mike yelled at Will, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!” following a heated Dungeons & Dragons session.
“Obviously, it was hinted at in season 1,” Schnapp said in an interview with Variety in July, following the second volume of season 4’s release.
“It was always kind of there, but you never really knew: is it just him growing up slower than his friends? Now that he’s gotten older, they made it a very real, obvious thing. Now it’s 100 percent clear that he is gay and he does love Mike. But before, it was a slow arc.”
Stranger Things director and executive producer Shawn Levy previously told EW that the season 3 scene in which Mike yells at Will, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!” was not specific to sexual orientation.
“There aren’t many accidents on Stranger Things. There is clear intention and strategy and real thought given to each and every character. So if you came away from [season 4, volume 1] feeling those breadcrumbs of plot and character, it’s probably no accident,” he said.
In previous interviews, Schnapp did not give a clear answer about the sexuality of his character Will Byers on Stranger Things, saying that it was open to interpretation.
“I think that’s the beauty of it, that it’s just up to the audience’s interpretation,” he shared to Variety in May. “If it’s Will kind of just refusing to grow up and growing up slower than his friends, or if he is really gay.”
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The Show
Schnapp is a talented young actor best known for his role as Will Byers on the hit Netflix series. Schnapp, who is 18 years old, has been acting since he was a child and has already amassed an impressive list of credits to his name.
Schnapp’s breakout role came in 2015 when he was cast as Will on Stranger Things. The show, which is set in the 1980s and chronicles a group of friends as they try to rescue their missing friend from the Upside Down, was an instant hit and made him a household name.
The young star has received praise for his portrayal of Will, and the character’s emotional arc has been a highlight of the show.
In addition to his work on Stranger Things, Noah has also appeared in films such as The Circle and We Only Know So Much. Moreover, he has lent his voice to the animated films The Peanuts Movie and Trolls World Tour.
Schnapp is also a talented singer and has showcased his vocal abilities on “Stranger Things.” In season 3 of the show, he sang a cover of “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, which received a lot of praise from fans.
Aside from acting, the actor is also an activist and has participated in protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also been vocal about his support for the LGBTQ+ community on social media.
It’s clear that Schnapp has a bright future ahead of him and is a talented performer with a lot of potential. Fans of Stranger Things can’t wait to see what he does next, and it’s likely that he will continue to make a positive impact both on and off screen.
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Schnapp Pre-Limelight
The star was born and raised in New York City. He is Jewish and has both U.S. and Canadian citizenship. His father is of Russian Jewish descent. Meanwhile, his mother is of Moroccan Jewish ancestry.
Schnapp’s love for acting began at the young age of five after watching the Broadway production of Annie. He began performing in school and community plays, and when he was eight, his acting teacher suggested he try a professional career.
Schnapp’s parents entered him in an acting program at Westchester’s Star Kidz, where he was eventually referred to MKS&D Talent Management for career opportunities.
While Schnapp’s acting career has taken off, he has also made education a priority. He is currently attending the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is studying entrepreneurship and innovation. Schnapp is scheduled to graduate in 2026.
Photo: Optimole
