Noah Schnapp Reflects on Being Asked if He Was Gay at 12, Playing Will Byers, and How ‘Stranger Things’ Helped Him Accept Who He Truly Is
For Noah Schnapp, growing up in front of the world has been both a gift and a challenge. The Stranger Things star, who has been acting since childhood, is now reflecting on how fame, identity, and the role that changed his life all collided in deeply personal ways. Known to millions as Will Byers, the quiet and sensitive boy who survived the Upside Down, Noah found that his character’s emotional journey unexpectedly mirrored his own — and helped him come to terms with who he truly is.
In an emotional conversation, the 20-year-old actor looked back on the pressures that came with fame, particularly as a young teenager still discovering himself. “When I was younger, I was obviously very scared of talking about it,” Noah admitted. “I didn’t know what to say.” Even as he smiled through red carpet interviews and fan conventions, he carried questions he wasn’t ready to answer — not to the press, not even to himself.
The scrutiny didn’t make it easier. During early press tours for Stranger Things, Noah recalled how journalists would pry into his personal life in ways that felt invasive and confusing. “Some people would ask me at 12 if I was gay,” he revealed, a question that felt inappropriate and premature for someone barely entering adolescence. At the time, he brushed it off, uncertain how to respond. “I didn’t even know who I was yet,” he reflected.
Years later, Noah began to find parallels between himself and his on-screen character. In 2022, Stranger Things confirmed that Will Byers is gay — a revelation that resonated deeply with fans. For Noah, it became a turning point. “Once I did fully embrace that Will was gay, it was just an exponential speed toward accepting it for myself,” he shared. “I think if I never played that character, I probably would still be closeted.”
By the time he publicly came out in January 2023, his message was simple and lighthearted. “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought,” he wrote on social media, echoing the line that endeared him to millions. It wasn’t a moment of shock or scandal — it was a moment of peace.
Now, reflecting on the journey, Noah speaks with confidence and gratitude. Playing Will not only gave him one of the most iconic roles of his generation but also gave him permission to understand himself. The connection between character and actor blurred in the best possible way — what began as fiction helped him live his truth.
Fans have praised Noah for his honesty, celebrating his openness as both brave and healing. His story, they say, is a reminder that growing up is hard enough — doing it in front of cameras only magnifies the struggle. But through empathy, art, and patience, it’s possible to find clarity.
As Stranger Things heads toward its final season, Noah carries himself with the quiet strength of someone who’s finally comfortable in his own skin. He often says that he feels lucky to have played a role that inspired so many people to be authentic. “Will taught me that being different isn’t something to hide,” he said once. “It’s something to own.”
From the scared young boy who didn’t know how to answer personal questions to the confident young man who proudly shares his truth, Noah Schnapp’s story is one of growth, courage, and hope. In a way, his journey mirrors the message at the heart of Stranger Things: no matter how dark the world gets, there’s always a light — and sometimes, it comes from within.
