Will Byers actor Noah Schnapp continues to face backlash online due to an Instagram post he shared in 2023, which he’s addressed in a new interview about Stranger Things Season 5. Warning: some may find this content distressing.
Netflix’s biggest show is set to draw to a close this year, with Part 1 of Stranger Things’ fifth and final chapter premiering next month. The series has made stars out of its child cast, from Millie Bobby Brown’s breakout success to Finn Wolfhard’s rise in movies and music.
But growing up under the spotlight has also brought its challenges, with Schnapp finding himself at the center of multiple controversies. In November 2023, he was slammed online after posting an Instagram Story in which he and his friends laugh and hold up stickers saying “Zionism is sexy”.
The video came amid Israel’s escalation of its attack on Gaza, leading to fans threatening to boycott Stranger Things Season 5 unless Schnapp was removed from the cast. He later took to TikTok to say his “thoughts and beliefs” were “misconstrued.”
During a set visit for Stranger Things Season 5, Time took the opportunity to ask Schnapp about the controversy and whether he’s learned any lessons about his online activity.
“I was one of the most in touch with my fan base. I just welcomed them with open arms because that’s the way I am,” he told the outlet. “It comes with pros and cons. I’m still a kid trying to figure it out. I’ll have a different answer for you in five years.”
As said, Schnapp faced backlash for both the Instagram Story and his comments on the conflict. In October 2023, prior to the Instagram video, he shared a lengthy statement in which he criticized those “choosing sides.”
“You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism. It shouldn’t be a difficult choice. Shame on you,” he said, with netizens accusing him of painting the conflict as a simple issue.
Schnapp addressed the backlash in a TikTok video posted in January 2024, saying, “I feel like my thoughts and beliefs have been so far misconstrued from anything even close to what I believe, and I wanted to just state from my heart how I feel.
“I only want peace and safety and security for all innocent people affected by this conflict… I think anyone with any ounce of humanity would hope for an end to the hostility on both sides.
“I stand against any killing of any innocent people, and I hope you guys all do, too. And I just hope to one day see those two groups be able to live harmoniously together in that region.”
The now-21-year-old actor’s TikTok account is no longer available, with the Social Blade suggesting it has been deleted or banned, although he may have just set it to private. Schnapp’s Instagram page is still active but commenting is limited.
Some criticism does still break through in collaborative posts. For instance, a recent video shared by both Prada Beauty and Schnapp has received multiple “Free Palestine” replies.
Elsewhere in the Time interview, the Stranger Things star spoke about the real-life connection to his character. Amid the release of Season 4 of the Netflix series, Schnapp confirmed his character Will is gay, shortly before coming out himself on social media.
“When I was younger, I was obviously very scared of talking about it,” he said. “They would pry and ask me, ‘Is he gay? Are you gay?’ I was 12, 13. I didn’t know what to say.”
Stranger Things Season 5 Part 1 arrives on Netflix on November 26, 2025, followed by Part 2 on December 25 and the finale on New Year’s Day.
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