Noah Schnapp, the 21-year-old star of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, has revealed the uncomfortable reality of growing up in the public eye. During a recent interview with Time magazine alongside his co-stars, Schnapp shared that journalists repeatedly asked invasive questions about his sexuality when he was just beginning his teenage years.
The actor, who plays Will Byers on the popular sci-fi series, recalled feeling overwhelmed and frightened by the persistent inquiries during press junkets. “When I was younger, I was obviously very scared of talking about it,” Schnapp told Time. “They would pry and ask me, ‘Is he gay? Are you gay?’ I was 12, 13. I didn’t know what to say.”
At the time these questions were being posed, Schnapp was still navigating his own identity while simultaneously dealing with intense public scrutiny. The relentless probing from journalists centered on both his personal life and his character’s sexuality, as viewers had begun speculating about Will Byers’ romantic feelings for his friend Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard.
The fourth season of Stranger Things confirmed that Will was indeed gay, showcasing his unrequited feelings for Mike. Shortly after the season aired in 2022, Schnapp publicly came out as gay in January 2023 through a social media post, writing: “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought.”
Reflecting on his journey, Schnapp later told Variety how portraying Will’s coming-out story helped him embrace his own identity. “Once I did fully embrace that Will was gay, it was just an exponential speed towards accepting it for myself,” he explained. “I would be in a completely different place if I didn’t have Will to portray, and to embrace and help me accept myself. I think if I never played that character, I probably would still be closeted.”
The overwhelmingly positive fan reaction to Will’s sexuality also played a significant role in Schnapp’s confidence. He described seeing countless supportive comments on social media platforms, noting there wasn’t “one bad thing” said about his character being gay. This outpouring of acceptance helped alleviate his concerns about coming out publicly.
As Stranger Things prepares to launch its fifth and final season on November 26, Schnapp will appear as an openly gay actor for the first time in the series. He expressed excitement about bringing his authentic self to the role, telling Time: “I think the way I act in Season 5, honestly, might be a little different. I will be fully aware of who I am.”
Schnapp’s candid revelations highlight the challenges young actors face when dealing with inappropriate questions about their personal lives, particularly regarding sensitive topics like sexuality. His story also underscores how representation in media can profoundly impact both performers and audiences alike.
