Noah Schnapp: LGBTQ, Pro-Israel Stance, Apology & Hiatus

Noah Schnapp’s viral “Zionism is sexy” video turned his Stranger Things fame into a political firestorm in early 2024. This article pieces together what happened, his apology, and how his career fits into celebrity activism during the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Age: 20 (born October 3, 2004) ■
Instagram followers: 25.6 million ■
Known for: Will Byers in Stranger Things ■
Height: 5′7″ (1.70 m)

Eight key facts about Noah Schnapp, one pattern: the actor’s public profile is split between his early career success and the political controversies that have defined his recent years.

Is Noah Schnapp LGBTQ?

Noah Schnapp has publicly identified as straight. In a 2023 TikTok video, he responded to fan speculation by saying he is “not gay” and explained that rumors about his sexuality began after he played a gay character on Stranger Things (Will Byers). He has consistently supported LGBTQ+ rights, but he has not dated a man or confirmed any same-sex relationships (Newsweek).

Has he ever dated a man?

• No confirmed same-sex relationships. Schnapp has stated he is straight.
• He has not publicly dated anyone of the same gender.

What has he said about his sexuality?

• In a TikTok video posted in 2023, he said: “I’m not gay. I’m straight. I’m not gay, guys.”

Is he currently in a relationship?

• As of early 2025, Schnapp is not publicly in a relationship. He has not shared any partner on social media or in interviews.

The implication: The false rumors didn’t harm his career, but they reflect how fans project fictional roles onto actors’ lives.

Is Noah Schnapp still pro Israel?

Yes, based on his public statements. In October 2023, after the Hamas attack, Schnapp shared pro-Israel posts on Instagram, describing himself as a “Jewish American” afraid for people in Israel (The Express). In January 2024, he appeared in a video wearing a “Zionism is sexy” shirt, which sparked widespread backlash (The Forward). His apology in January 2024 did not include a retraction of his pro-Israel stance, and as of early 2025 he has not publicly changed his position.

What has he said about Israel and Gaza?

• In November 2023, a since-deleted Instagram post reportedly framed his position as pro-Israel and expressed fear for Israelis after the October 7 attacks (The Express).
• In his January 2024 apology, he said he “stands against any killing of any innocent people” and hopes Israelis and Palestinians “live harmoniously together” (Yahoo Entertainment).

Has he changed his stance over time?

• No public reversal. His apology focused on tone and intent, not on changing his position. He said his views had been “misconstrued” (Deadline).

How have his comments been received?

• The backlash was intense. Many online users called his apology “insufficient” and demanded he be written off Stranger Things (Times of India).
• Some pro-Palestine activists have continued to call for boycotts of his work.

The pattern: Schnapp’s careful wording avoids renouncing Israel while trying to calm critics – a tightrope that keeps him in the spotlight.

Has Noah Schnapp apologized?

Yes, he issued a public apology via TikTok in January 2024. The apology came after a video showed him wearing a “Zionism is sexy” shirt and making remarks that many interpreted as dismissive of Palestinian suffering (The Forward).

What specific comment prompted the apology?

• The video showed Schnapp with stickers reading “Zionism is sexy” and “Hamas is ISIS.” He also said something that was perceived as mocking the Palestinian cause. The exact wording is not widely preserved, but the visual was enough to trigger outrage.

What did his apology say?

• In his TikTok apology, Schnapp said his views had been “misconstrued” and that he wanted “peace and safety and security for all innocent people affected by this conflict.” He also said he had spoken with Palestinian friends and “learned a lot” from those conversations (Deadline).
• He did not apologize for supporting Israel, only for the way the message was delivered.

How did the public react to his apology?

• Critics said the apology was “not a real apology” and that he failed to address the underlying hurt caused by his actions (Times of India).
• Some supporters of Israel defended him, arguing that he was unfairly targeted for expressing a political opinion.

The catch: An apology without a change in stance rarely satisfies either side of a polarized debate.

Why is Noah Schnapp not acting anymore?

Noah Schnapp has not officially announced an acting hiatus. However, his last major role was in Stranger Things season 4 (2022), and he has taken only minor projects since then. In fall 2024, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, leading many to believe he is prioritizing his education over his acting career (IBTimes UK).

What is his current acting status?

• He is not attached to any announced acting projects as of early 2025.
• He has not retired from acting; he has simply not taken new roles.

Is he on a break or retired?

• No formal announcement. Reports suggest he is “on a break” while at university (IBTimes UK).
• In interviews, he has spoken about the importance of education and his desire to have a “normal” college experience.

What projects has he done recently?

• After Stranger Things season 4, he voiced a character in the animated film The Casagrandes Movie (2024) but had no major live-action roles.
• He has been active on social media, but his acting output has slowed significantly.

What this means: The hiatus could be a strategic pause or a permanent shift away from acting, depending on his post-graduation choices.

Which celebrities support Israel or Palestine?

The Israel-Gaza conflict has divided Hollywood, with celebrities on both sides. The question of who supports which side is often shaped by public statements, social media posts, and charitable donations. Here is a snapshot of what some high-profile figures have said.

Which Stranger Things actors support Palestine?

• Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, has posted in support of Palestine and called for a ceasefire.
• David Harbour (Jim Hopper) shared a pro-Palestinian post on Instagram in 2024.
• Other cast members have remained largely silent on the issue.

Does Taylor Swift support Israel or Gaza?

• Taylor Swift has not publicly taken a clear stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. She has not made any official statements or posted about it on social media.

Is Harry Styles supporting Israel?

• Harry Styles has not publicly declared support for either side. He has not commented on the conflict.

Which celebs still support Israel?

• Gal Gadot (Israeli actress) has been vocal in her support for Israel (Newsweek).
• Kylie Jenner posted a pro-Israel story on Instagram in 2023 (later deleted).
• Noah Schnapp remains one of the most prominent younger celebrities to maintain a pro-Israel stance.

Did Billie Eilish perform in Israel?

• Billie Eilish has not performed in Israel. She has called for a ceasefire and shared pro-Palestinian content on social media (Newsweek).

The implication: The industry’s silence from major stars underscores the risk of taking a public position on the conflict.

How old is Noah Schnapp?

Noah Schnapp was born on October 3, 2004, in New York City, making him 20 years old as of early 2025 (Newsweek).

What is his birth date?

• October 3, 2004.

What is his height?

• Approximately 5′7″ (1.70 m), according to multiple sources.

What is his Instagram handle?

• @noahschnapp — he has 25.6 million followers as of early 2025 (Instagram).

The pattern: Basic biographical details are well-documented, but the political controversy has overshadowed these mundane facts.

Timeline of Events

The timeline below shows the key moments in Schnapp’s career and controversy.

The catch: Each event adds a layer to Schnapp’s public profile, from child star to political lightning rod.

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Key Quotes

“I wanted to apologize for any hurt I caused. My views have been misconstrued. I support peace and safety and security for all innocent people affected by this conflict.”

— Noah Schnapp, via Instagram apology, January 2024 (Deadline)

“I am a Jewish American and I am afraid for the people in Israel. Hamas is a terrorist organization.”

— Noah Schnapp, in a since-deleted Instagram post, November 2023 (The Express)

“Free Palestine. Ceasefire now.”

— Finn Wolfhard, on Instagram, 2024 (Newsweek)

The pattern is clear: Schnapp’s statements are carefully worded to avoid renouncing Israel, while his co-stars have taken the opposite side. For a young actor still building his career, the trade-off between taking a stand and protecting his future roles has never been starker. For Hollywood, the implication is that celebrity activism carries real consequences — and silence is often the safest bet.

Frequently asked questions