Noah Schnapp: Relationship, Sexuality, and Why He Stopped Acting

Growing up on screen means every life change unfolds under a microscope. For Noah Schnapp, who jumped into the spotlight at age 11 as Will Byers in Stranger Things, the shift from child actor to young adult has been especially public. He came out as gay in January 2023, then largely stepped away from Hollywood to attend the University of Pennsylvania — a decision that left fans asking what comes next.

Age: 20 (born October 3, 2004) ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Known for: Will Byers in Stranger Things ·
Sexuality: Gay (came out January 2023) ·
Education: University of Pennsylvania (enrolled fall 2023)

The data below captures Schnapp’s core biographical identifiers.

Is Noah Schnapp in a relationship in real life?

The most straightforward answer is: it’s complicated. In April 2024, Schnapp posted an Instagram Story that appeared to introduce a boyfriend with the caption “One month of us.” Within hours, he clarified it was an April Fools’ Day joke — leaving fans uncertain whether a real relationship was behind the prank. People (celebrity news) reported that the post was a joke, and E! Online (entertainment news) described the whole episode as a prank, not a confirmed romance.

Who is Noah Schnapp’s boyfriend?

• No specific name has been publicly confirmed. The April 2024 post did not identify the other person, and the prank clarification retroactively erased any claim to a real boyfriend.

When did Noah Schnapp go public with his relationship?

• He posted a relationship-style announcement on Instagram Stories on April 1, 2024, then admitted it was an April Fools’ joke the next day (E! Online (entertainment news)).

What is Noah Schnapp’s sexuality?

Noah Schnapp came out as gay in a TikTok video posted January 5, 2023. In the video, he mouthed along to a sound that said “you know what it is” while a rainbow flag appeared, and he wrote: “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought” — referencing his Stranger Things character Will Byers, whose own sexuality was a subject of fan speculation. People (celebrity news) confirmed the video and the caption. Later interviews reinforced the announcement; Schnapp told The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade) that coming out felt “freeing” and that he had been unsure how to share that part of himself for years.

When did Noah Schnapp come out?

• January 5, 2023, via a TikTok video that used a rainbow filter and the caption comparing himself to Will Byers (People (celebrity news)).

How did he come out?

• He posted a short TikTok where he lip-synced and then revealed a rainbow overlay. The caption explicitly connected his real-life identity to his on-screen character. No prior statements or hints had been made public.

Are Millie and Noah still friends?

Yes. Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown have maintained a close friendship after Stranger Things wrapped. Schnapp was invited to Brown’s wedding to Jake Bongiovi, and the two have been photographed together at events, often supporting each other’s projects. People (celebrity news) noted that Brown publicly congratulated Schnapp on his college graduation, and Schnapp has spoken fondly of their bond in interviews. The relationship appears genuine and unstrained by the show’s conclusion.

Was Noah invited to Millie Bobby Brown’s wedding?

• Yes, Schnapp confirmed in a later interview that he attended the wedding. People (celebrity news) reported that he was among the close friends present.

Why is Noah Schnapp not acting?

Schnapp deliberately stepped away from the entertainment industry after the fourth season of Stranger Things to focus on his education. He enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania in fall 2023, pursuing a degree in film studies (USA Today (national newspaper)). In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade), he said: “I’m just focusing on school right now and figuring out what I want to do.” He graduated on May 18, 2026, according to People (celebrity news).

What is Noah Schnapp doing now?

• He has completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania. He also reduced his social media presence, explaining that he no longer finds it healthy to read countless opinions about himself daily (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade)).

Does Noah Schnapp plan to return to acting?

• He has not announced any upcoming roles. In the same Hollywood Reporter interview, he said taking time away gave him room to explore who he is outside acting. USA Today (national newspaper) reported that he is “on the verge of graduating” and that his next steps remain undecided. A return to film or TV is possible, but no timetable exists.

Who did Noah Schnapp have a crush on?

Schnapp has acknowledged having crushes on boys before he came out, but he has never publicly named a specific person. In interviews after his coming out, he admitted that he had dated a boy in the past, but stressed that the identity of that person is private. People (celebrity news) noted that he declined to share names when asked. There is no verified information about any specific celebrity crush or past relationship.

Did Noah Schnapp ever date a boy?

• Yes, he confirmed in a post-coming-out interview that he had previously dated a boy, though no details or names were provided (People (celebrity news)).

Timeline of key moments

The chronology below maps Schnapp’s life from birth to graduation.

The pattern here is a path from child star to college graduate, with key personal milestones along the way.

“I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought.”

— Noah Schnapp, caption on his coming-out TikTok video (January 2023), as reported by People (celebrity news)

“I’m just focusing on school right now and figuring out what I want to do.”

— Noah Schnapp, to The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade) about his acting hiatus

Taking time away from the entertainment industry gave him room to explore and develop himself outside acting.

— Summary by People (celebrity news) quoting Schnapp’s reflections

For Noah Schnapp, the choice to prioritize education and privacy over Hollywood exposure has been deliberate. He graduates with a degree and a clearer sense of self, but without the immediate career momentum many fans expected. The coming-out moment and the relationship prank both show a young man still calibrating how much of his private life to share. Schnapp’s next chapter will likely be on his own terms, not the industry’s schedule — and that may be the most adult decision he could make.

Fans interested in the details of his coming out journey can find a thorough breakdown of his public announcement and its impact.

Frequently asked questions