In a heart-to-heart with Variety, Noah Schnapp, the acclaimed actor from the blockbuster Netflix series “Stranger Things,” opened up about his personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance. As he talked candidly about his sexuality, Schnapp highlighted the unconditional support he received from friends and family, with an endearing anecdote involving co-star Millie Bobby Brown taking center stage.
The Tumultuous Road to Self-Acceptance
Noah Schnapp’s decision to come out wasn’t made in haste. He first shared this aspect of his identity with his closest friends and family, making a note of the people he intended to confide in using his phone’s Notes app. “I kept trying to do it in person with her, and it was too hard,” he shared about the moment he decided to reveal this personal news to Brown. However, it was at an unexpected location and time when he finally mustered the courage. “So then I just FaceTimed her one day in the middle of a Party City and I was like, ‘Millie, I’m gay.'”
Millie’s Perfect Reaction
Millie Bobby Brown’s reaction, filled with genuine happiness and relief, showcased the tight-knit bond the two share. “She was like, ‘Oh, Schnapper! You told me finally!'” recounted Schnapp, a testimony to their off-screen camaraderie.
Playing Will Byers: A Path to Self-Realization
For Noah, the world of “Stranger Things” wasn’t just a career-defining role. Playing Will Byers, a character grappling with his sexuality, became a mirror for Schnapp’s own introspection. “Once I did fully embrace that Will was gay, it was just an exponential speed towards accepting it for myself,” he expressed. Schnapp went on to reflect on the impact of portraying such a layered character, “I would be in a completely different place if I didn’t have Will to portray, and to embrace and help me accept myself.”
Delving further into the evolution of his character, Schnapp elaborated on Will Byers‘ sexuality. “Obviously, it was hinted at in season one. It was always kind of there, but you never really knew,” he mused. “Now it’s 100% clear that he is gay and he does love Mike.”
Waves of Support
After making his announcement on TikTok earlier this year, the response was overwhelmingly positive. From co-stars to fans and family, the support that poured in for Schnapp was heartwarming, cementing the importance of representation and acceptance in today’s world.
In an era where acceptance is gaining ground and stories like Schnapp’s serve as an inspiration, the bond between co-stars and the significant impact of the characters they portray is a testament to the powerful convergence of reel and real life.
