‘Heartstopper’: Kit Connor Shuts Down Speculations About His Sexuality: ‘I Don’t Feel Like I Need to Label Myself’
So far, Netflix’s Heartstopper series has become a beacon of hope and love with its LGBTQ story. Almost all of the main characters have their own journey of self-discovery when it comes to their sexuality. But fans on social media have taken it upon themselves to assume the sexuality of Heartstopper’s main cast, especially in regards to Kit Connor. Connor plays the leading role of Nick Nelson and has voiced his opinion on the subject matter.
Kit Connor plays the handsome rugby player who starts to fall in love in ‘Heartstopper’
Tagged as the “anti-Euphoria,” Heartstopper tells a more relatable story of young love, friendship, and coming to terms with one’s sexuality. Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) has been openly gay at school for some time but has experienced bullying. While Charlie is confident in who he is, his secret boyfriend Ben Hope (Sebastian Croft) wants to keep them a secret.
When Charlie gets seated with his new deskmate Nick Nelson, Charlie starts to feel butterflies. He soon develops a crush despite everyone saying Nick is the brute rugby player who could not possibly be gay.
For Charlie, he sees Nick’s kindness toward him and openness to be seen with him at school. Their growing friendship also leads Nick to question his own sexuality and feelings. Unaware of what they mean, he Googles quizzes and answers to figure it out. Charlie’s friends are hesitant of Nick because of his image but soon realize he has come to love Charlie.
Actor Kit Connor and the cast play LGBTQ characters on screen, but some online fans believe they have the right to question the actor’s sexuality.
Kit Connor is confident with his sexuality, but does not believe in labels
Since the fame of Heartstopper and the interest in the main cast, fans on Twitter have made comments making assumptions about Connor’s sexuality. The actor posted on Twitter to address the conversation fans were having by saying, “twitter is so funny man. apparently some people on here know my sexuality better than I do…”
According to Out, Connor elaborated on the topic on the Reign With Josh Smith podcast. The actor explains he has no intentions or plans to make his sexuality public. He also feels that people on social media do not have the right to push for such answers or assumptions.
“We’re still all so young. To start sort of speculating about our sexualities and maybe pressuring us to come out when maybe we’re not ready… For me, I just feel perfectly confident and comfortable with my sexuality. But I don’t feel the need to really, you know – I’m not too big on labels and things like that. I’m not massive about that. I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly,” said Connor.
Continuing his thoughts on Twitter, Connor explains that it is bizarre that people make assumptions based on what they see on screen. He commented, “I feel like that’s a very interesting, slightly problematic sort of assumption to make.” While Heartstopper has put Connor and the cast in the public eye, Yasmin Finney has also faced malicious comments.
‘Heartstopper’ star Yasmin Finney was asked an unwelcome comment by patron while having dinner
Fans have fallen in love with the main cast and the representation of the LGBTQ community with trans actor Yasmin Finney. Heartstopper’s Connor expressed his joy over having Finney in the cast in an interview with Attitude Magazine. He hopes Finney’s on-screen role opens the door for more trans actors on-screen.
Finney has enamored fans with her kindness, sweet nature, and role as Elle Argent. But the actor has faced unkind remarks since the series premiere. On Twitter, Finney explained a recent encounter with a fan while she was having dinner. She explains a fan shouted at her with an unwelcome remark.
“‘Are you a boy or a girl’ Today some women shouted this in front of all of her peers while I was about to leave a restaurant… Erm Idk what do I look like to you?” Tweeted Finney. The actor explains, “I was clearly in shock when she said this and she then said, ‘I’m not transphobic. I have trans friends.’ At this point I’ve given up hope lol.”
Heartstopper brings an optimistic view to love and a coming-of-age LGBTQ story, but its success has led to unwelcome comments that depict the reality of society.
