Noah Schnapp: Relationship, Life After Stranger Things

Millions first met Noah Schnapp as the quiet, otherworldly Will Byers on Stranger Things. Since the Netflix phenomenon wrapped in 2025, the 20-year-old actor has been living his own story — one that includes a very public coming out and a relationship that fans are eager to understand, and here’s what’s known, what’s still private, and what’s next for one of Gen Z’s most talked-about stars.

Age: 20 (born October 3, 2004) ·
Known for: Will Byers in Stranger Things ·
Instagram followers: 26 million ·
Public coming out: January 2023 ·
Relationship status: In a relationship (as of 2024)

A handful of reliable facts anchor Schnapp’s biography — from his New York birth to his rise on the biggest streaming show of the decade. Here’s a look at the verifiable data.

Has Noah Schnapp dated a guy?

Noah Schnapp’s public relationship

Before coming out, Schnapp had no publicly known relationships with men. His coming-out TikTok in January 2023 was the first time he addressed his sexuality directly. The caption read: “I guess I’m more similar to Will [Byers] than I thought” (Wikipedia, the crowd-sourced encyclopedia). Since then, entertainment outlets have reported that he has dated men, but the actor has not named any previous partners.

Who is Noah Schnapp’s boyfriend?

As of 2024, Schnapp is reportedly in a relationship, according to an IMDb News (the entertainment database) item that noted a one-month dating milestone. PinkNews, an LGBTQ-focused news outlet on TikTok posted that Schnapp “hard launched” his boyfriend in a social media video. However, no on-the-record statement from Schnapp himself confirms his boyfriend’s name, age, or identity — the claim is based on social-media speculation and secondary reporting.

The implication: Schnapp’s private life remains largely off-limits, and the absence of a primary source leaves the relationship in a gray area.

Is Noah Schnapp currently in a relationship?

Relationship timeline

• January 2023: Schnapp comes out as gay.
• 2024: He posts a TikTok with a man widely described as his boyfriend (PinkNews, an LGBTQ-focused news outlet on TikTok).
• Mid-2024: IMDb News (the entertainment database) reports that the couple has been dating for about a month.

No further updates from Schnapp have been made public since mid-2024.

Public appearances with partner

Schnapp has not appeared on red carpets or in interviews with his reported boyfriend. The only “appearance” is the TikTok video posted by PinkNews, which shows the couple together in what appears to be a casual setting (PinkNews, an LGBTQ-focused news outlet on TikTok). Without a direct confirmation from Schnapp, the relationship remains in the realm of media speculation.

The pattern: Schnapp’s approach to his relationship mirrors his overall strategy of sharing just enough to satisfy curiosity without forfeiting control.

Which actor is LGBTQ in Stranger Things?

Noah Schnapp’s coming out

Schnapp is the only main cast member of Stranger Things who has publicly identified as LGBTQ. His character, Will Byers, also came out as gay in the show’s final season — a parallel Schnapp acknowledged in his coming-out caption. “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought,” he wrote (Wikipedia, the crowd-sourced encyclopedia). The moment made Schnapp a visible figure for LGBTQ youth who grew up with the series.

Other LGBTQ cast members

None of Schnapp’s co-stars — including the main ensemble listed in our full cast guide — have publicly identified as LGBTQ. While fans sometimes speculate about other actors’ orientations, Schnapp remains the only out member of the core cast. The show itself has featured LGBTQ characters, most notably Robin Buckley (played by Maya Hawke).

The implication: For a generation that watched Will Byers struggle with his identity, Schnapp’s real-life openness added a layer of authenticity to the story.

Is Millie Bobby Brown still friends with Noah Schnapp?

History of their friendship

Schnapp and Brown met on the set of Stranger Things in 2016 and have been close ever since. They have posted frequently about each other on social media, and Schnapp is reportedly the godparent of Brown’s adopted child with Jake Bongiovi (Wikipedia, the crowd-sourced encyclopedia). Their bond has been one of the most visible off-screen friendships from the show.

Recent interactions

According to the content plan overview, Schnapp attended Brown’s wedding in 2024 — a strong signal that the friendship remains intact. While Brown has not publicly commented on Schnapp’s coming out or relationship, the attendance at such a personal event suggests ongoing closeness. The pattern: Their friendship has weathered the end of the series and continues quietly, away from headlines.

Why is Noah Schnapp not acting?

Post-Stranger Things career

After Stranger Things concluded in 2025, Schnapp announced a break from acting. The content plan notes he is focused on college and business ventures. He has not taken any new roles and has no upcoming projects listed on his Instagram (Schnapp’s verified account) or professional profiles.

Current projects

Beyond acting, Schnapp has explored entrepreneurship — he launched a short-lived snack brand and has hinted at other business interests. His social media presence remains active, with 26 million followers on Instagram (Schnapp’s verified account), but it is largely personal rather than promotional. For a star who grew up on screen, the hiatus marks a deliberate step back from the industry.

The pattern: Schnapp’s career move reflects a desire to step away from Hollywood’s spotlight and explore life outside the industry.

For a celebrity who grew up on screen, Noah Schnapp’s adult life is unfolding with deliberate restraint. He has shared his sexuality, hinted at a relationship, and stepped away from acting — all while keeping key details private. The pattern: a Gen Z star learning to control his own narrative, one selective post at a time. For Noah Schnapp, the lesson is that public identity is a choice, not a demand.