Stranger Things' Noah Schnapp Explains How His Character Helped Him Accept He's Gay, Reveals Whether He's Dating

Noah Schnapp is opening up about his sexuality, as well his role in his hit TV series.

The 18-year-old Stranger Things star got candid for Variety’s first Power of Young Hollywood cover, and spoke about coming out, the hit Netflix series, his experience mirroring his character’s own, and more.

Keep reading to find out more…

Find out what he had to say…

On telling his friends and family that he was gay:

“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.’”

On how embracing his Stranger Things character’s orientation helped with his own acceptance:

“Once I did fully embrace that Will was gay, it was just an exponential speed towards accepting it for myself. 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.”

On dating:

“I’m just enjoying life, and if someone comes by, then sure — but I’m not actively trying to find a match. …all of a sudden, there was this influx of all these people in my DMs. And definitely some, like, big names that I didn’t know about. I just take it as a compliment and move on.”

On not checking his phone after coming out:

“I didn’t want to sit there waiting nervously to see what people were going to say. I just wanted to put it away and be confident in who I am, and know that I don’t have to care what people think anymore.”

On once he checked:

“When I opened my phone… it was, like, a thousand texts of hearts and congratulations and rainbow flags. I was crying. I was like, ‘I made it. I’m done. I don’t have to worry.’”

On playing a kid struggling with his sexuality from the start:

“I was so young, I barely even knew what that word meant. And I don’t even think I knew myself that I was gay.”

On the public’s reaction to Will being gay:

“It kind of blew up in the press, and everyone was like, ‘Oh, Will’s gay! Hooray!’ I saw all these comments on Instagram and TikTok. There was not one bad thing about him being gay. I was like, if he has all this support, then why should I worry about anything?”

On attending his first Pride parade in NYC this year:

“It was truly such a liberating feeling, just seeing my parents cheer me on. I’ve never felt so supported and loved.”

Noah Schnapp isn’t the only star who came out in 2023. Find out who else did!