Noah Schnapp Reflects on Media Probes into Sexuality at Age 12

Noah Schnapp, known for his role as Will Byers in Netflix's Stranger Things, has openly discussed the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, particularly being questioned about his and his character's sexuality from a young age. As a 12 or 13-year-old during early press tours, Schnapp found the intrusive questions about being gay difficult to answer, as he was still coming to terms with his own identity. The revelation of Will Byers as gay in Season 4 of Stranger Things paralleled Schnapp's personal journey, with the actor publicly coming out as gay shortly after the season aired in January 2023. Schnapp credits playing Will with accelerating his self-acceptance, noting the overwhelmingly positive fan response to his character's sexuality helped reduce his fears. In the upcoming fifth and final season, Schnapp will portray Will as an openly gay character, bringing his authentic self to the role with a newfound confidence. This progression highlights the intersection of Schnapp's personal growth and professional life as he embraces his queer identity on screen and in public life.