Fast Links
Actor Kit Connor, known for starring as Nick Nelson in Netflix’s Heartstopper, has come out as bisexual. However, it is not a happy occasion for the British actor. Connor, who also provides the voice of Pantalaimon on His Dark Materials, said in his coming out on Twitter that he was forced to come out due to fans of the show harassing him. The specific tweet, which was his first in over a month since he found the app silly and boring, reads, “back for a minute. i’m bi. congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself. i think some of you missed the point of the show. bye.”
https://twitter.com/kit_connor/status/1587218539236188160
Why Does Kit Connor Feel He Was Forced to Come Out as Bisexual?
Connor did not specify in his tweet why he felt that his coming out as bisexual was forced. However, Variety reports that Connor has been accused of “queerbaiting” on social media. These accusations arose when photographs were taken of Connor holding hands with Maia Reficco, his co-star in A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. For those unfamiliar with the term, “queerbaiting” refers to an insinuation that a celebrity who is known to be straight adopts “gay behavior” to appeal to a gay fanbase. Actors such as Andrew Garfield and musicians such as Harry Styles and Charlie Puth have been accused of queerbaiting in recent years.
Kit Connor Supported by ‘Heartstopper’ Team
While Connor was forced to come out before he was ready, Deadline reports the cast and crew of Heartstopper have his back. Alice Oseman, who wrote the graphic novel the series was based on, replied to Connor’s tweet saying, ” truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes. I hope all those people are embarrassed as F**K. Kit you are amazing.” And Connor’s co-star Kizzy Edgell wrote, “i love u kit im sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you. been treated so unfairly.”
Heartstopper season two is currently in production. Kit Connor’s voice can soon be heard in the last season of His Dark Materials, which is coming to HBO on December 5th.