‘Stranger Things’ Star Noah Schnapp Comes Out as Gay
Denny Patterson is a St. Louis-based entertainment and lifestyle journalist…
Noah Schnapp, best known for playing closeted gay teenager Will Byers on Netflix’s Stanger Things, has officially come out as gay.
The 18-year-old actor made the announcement last week on TikTok with a video of himself and text that 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.’”
In the video caption, Schnapp wrote, “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought.”
@noahschnapp I guess I’m more similar to will than I thought
There has been fan speculation over the years that Schnapp’s Stanger Things character is gay, but he has always deflected questions, noting instead that Will’s sexual identity was still “up to the audience’s participation.” In July, following the debut of the final two episodes of the series’ fourth season, Schnapp confirmed to Variety for the first time that Will is in fact gay and in love with his best friend Mike (Finn Wolfhard).
“It was always kind of there, but you never really knew,” he says. “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% clear that he is gay, and he does love Mike.”
Schnapp added that he isn’t sure what Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer have in mind for Will, but once he does, he certainly does not want to reveal any spoilers. There are currently no details about the upcoming fifth and final season.
The young actor’s announcement was met with an outpouring of love from fans, celebrities, and influencers including TikToker Chris Olsen, Too Hot To Handle’s Harry Jowsey, and Glee’s Kevin McHale. The official account for the TikTok app itself even weighed in, calling Schnapp “our king.”
He also received support from his twin sister, Chloe Schnapp, who wrote, “u r amazing.”
Photos courtesy of Netflix and Social Media
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Denny Patterson is a St. Louis-based entertainment and lifestyle journalist who serves as OFM's Celebrity Correspondent. Outside of writing, some of his interests include traveling, binge watching TV shows and movies, reading (books and people!), and spending time with his husband and pets. Denny is also the Senior Lifestyle Writer for South Florida's OutClique Magazine and a contributing writer for Instinct Magazine. Connect with him on Instagram: @dennyp777.






