Noah Schnapp Says His Instagram Boyfriend Reveal Was an April Fools Trick

Noah Schnapp has made it clear that his recent social media update was not the romantic milestone many believed it to be. The Stranger Things lead, now 21, informed his followers on Thursday, April 2, that his supposed relationship reveal was simply an April Fools’ Day prank.

The initial post, which appeared on Wednesday, featured Schnapp alongside a mysterious companion in a rooftop setting, captioned with a heart and a note about their one-month anniversary.

The image quickly circulated across various social platforms, leading many to believe the actor was officially going public with a new partner. However, Schnapp followed up twenty-four hours later to clarify the situation and dampen the speculation.

He used a brief Instagram Stories update to reveal the joke, simply writing, “April fools” to confirm that the “hard launch” was just a bit of holiday mischief. While the prank was in jest, Schnapp has been notably open about his personal growth and identity since coming out as gay in early 2023.

He has previously credited his character, Will Byers, for helping him navigate his own path toward self-acceptance. During the production of the final episodes of his hit series, he reflected on the connection, stating, “Once I did fully embrace that Will was gay, it was just an exponential speed towards accepting it for myself. I would be in a completely different place if I didn’t have Will to portray, and to embrace and help me accept myself.”

The actor has also shared how the positive reception of Will’s journey by the audience gave him the courage to be transparent about his own life. He noted that seeing the fans’ love for his character made him realize he didn’t need to hide his own identity any longer. He expressed hope that his openness would serve as a similar source of strength for young people who might be facing their own internal struggles.

The actor has been focusing on his entrepreneurial interests, specifically expanding his sustainability-focused snack brand, TBH. As he moves beyond the supernatural world of Hawkins, Schnapp continues to balance his academic pursuits at the University of Pennsylvania with his evolving career in Hollywood.

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