Noah Schnapp Speaks About His Parallelism With ‘Stranger Things’: «I accepted myself»
His role as Will Byers helped him to openly acknowledge his sexuality and authentically express himself
Stranger Things stands out as a top recommendation among Netflix series for both friends and family. It blends science fiction, amazing music, nostalgic retro vibes, and heartwarming emphasis on the power of friendship combine to create an irresistibly viewing experience.
However, this ’80s masterpiece created by the Duffer brothers goes beyond mere entertainment, weaving its threads into something far more profound than couch-bound amusement.
Noah Schanapp (Will Byers)
For the talented young actor, Noah Schnapp, who portrays the introverted Will Byers in the series, the show has symbolized a journey of personal freedom and self-liberation.
Beyond being a steppingstone for his career and for his co-stars, «Stranger Things,» and particularly his character within it, empowered Schnapp to embrace his true identity without fear. Through this series, he found the courage to openly acknowledge his sexuality and authentically express himself.
«When I finally told my friends and family that I was gay, after being scared and in the closet for 18 years, all they said was ‘we know’,» the actor shared in an interview with Variety magazine. «Once I fully accepted that Will was gay, the speed at which I accepted myself increased exponentially,» he confessed.
@noahschnappI guess I’m more similar to will than I thought♬ original sound – Privacynbling
Moreover, Noah Schnapp has openly shared that, without his character’s influence, his personal journey would have taken a completely different path: «I think if I had never played that role, I would probably still be in the closet.»
Significantly, in the fourth season of the show, it becomes quite obvious that Will Byers is gay. This narrative development acted as a catalyst for Schnapp’s decision to embrace his own truth. A couple of months following the season’s release, the actor revealed this revelation in a TikTok video, expressing, «I suppose I relate more to Will than I initially realized.»
Millie Bobby Brown’s reaction
The reaction from his followers was highly praised, yet among them, there was one person whose reaction carried even greater weight: Millie Bobby Brown. The actress, who potrays the character of Eleven in the series, shares a profound connection with the actor, as evidenced by his own congratulatory message when she announced her engagement to Jake Bongiovi.
Given the depth of their friendship, the actor revealed to Variety how the moment went down when he disclosed his truth to Millie. Even though he intended to do it in person, he eventually opted to do it through a FaceTime video call in the middle of a party. «I told her, ‘Millie, I’m gay,'» to which she excitedly responded, «Oh, Schnapper! You finally told me!»
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