Noah Schnapp, known for his role in the hit series “Stranger Things,” recently opened up about the pressure he faced from journalists regarding his sexuality during press events when he was just 13 years old. The actor, now 18, publicly came out as gay in January 2023, but the scrutiny began much earlier. This interest in both his personal life and his character, Will Byers, who came out as gay in the show, has been a topic of discussion both on and off screen. Here’s how Schnapp navigated the challenges of dealing with such scrutiny while growing up in the public eye.
Early Press Scrutiny
During his Time magazine cover feature, Noah Schnapp revealed that journalists frequently questioned him about his sexuality during “Stranger Things” press junkets. At the time, he was only 12 or 13 years old and unsure of how to respond. Schnapp shared, “When I was younger, I was obviously very scared of talking about it… I didn’t know what to say.” His reluctance was understandable given his age and the complexities of grappling with personal identity in the spotlight.
Character Development and Personal Growth
Schnapp’s character, Will Byers, was confirmed as gay during an interview with Variety while “Stranger Things 4” was topping Netflix charts. When Schnapp publicly came out, he noted the parallels between himself and his character, stating, “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought.” His portrayal of Will has been instrumental in Schnapp’s own journey of self-acceptance, emphasizing, “If I never played that character, I probably would still be closeted.”
The revelation that Will was gay was met with positive feedback, surprising Schnapp. The outpouring of support from fans on platforms like Instagram and TikTok reassured him, leading him to acknowledge, “If he has all this support, then why should I worry about anything?”
Future On-Screen and Personal Journey
The upcoming season of “Stranger Things 5” marks Schnapp’s first season as an openly gay actor. He anticipates that his newfound self-awareness will influence his performance. Schnapp expressed excitement, saying, “I think the way I act in Season 5, honestly, might be a little different. I will be fully aware of who I am.” As the series prepares to launch its final season in November, fans eagerly await how this new chapter in Schnapp’s life will resonate in his role as Will Byers.
“Stranger Things 5” premieres with Vol. 1 on November 26, bringing both a thrilling storyline and a significant personal milestone for Schnapp.
