Heartstopper’s Kit Connor on his coming out journey: “In many ways it was really empowering”

Heartstopper star Kit Connor has opened up about his coming out experience in a new interview. 

Back in October, the young talent was forced to come out after fans made false claims that he was “queerbaiting.” 

“Back for a minute. I’m bi. Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself,” he wrote on Twitter at the time. “I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye.” 

Since coming out, Connor has remained an open book about navigating his sexuality in the public eye. 

When speaking with British Vogue for their August 2023 issue, the 19-year-old talent gave further insight into his journey and revealed that he felt “empowered” after uploading his aforementioned tweet. 

“I think ‘forced’ isn’t the right word I would use, but I would say that I would have preferred to do it another way,” Connor explained. 

“I also don’t know if I would have ever done it. But at the end of the day, I don’t regret it. In many ways, it was really empowering.”

The Rocketman star went on to say that he was hesitant to come out due to the misconceptions regarding bisexuality. 

“It’s the experience of maybe you’re too straight to be gay and you’re too gay to be straight. So it’s like, ‘Where do I sit?” he explained. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue)

“But I feel much more secure in myself now. I just felt like it wasn’t something I was ready to talk about. I wasn’t angry. I was just slightly disappointed by this reaction.” 

Lastly, the young talent shared his theory on why fans and parts of the industry thought it was okay to pressure him about his sexuality, stating: “I think there’s almost a feeling that because I’d been in the industry for a little while, there was almost this understanding that it’s like, ‘Oh, well, he can take it.”

Connor’s interview comes a few weeks before the release of Heartstopper season two, which is set to premiere on Netflix on 3 August.

Based on the beloved graphic novel and webcomic of the same name, the new batch of episodes will follow Nick and Charlie as they “navigate their new relationship; Tara and Darcy face unforeseen challenges and Tao and Elle work out if they can ever be more than just friends.” 

The synopsis adds: “With exams on the horizon, a school trip to Paris and a prom to plan, the gang has a lot to juggle as they journey through the next stages of life, love and friendship.”

In addition to Connor, season two will see the return of Joe Locke as Charlie Spring, William Gao as Tao, Yasmin Finney as Elle, Corinna Brown as Tara Jones, Kizzy Edgell as Darcy Olsen, and Tobie Donovan as Isaac Henderson. 

For more information about Heartstopper season two, click here.

You can watch the first teaser here or below.

The post Heartstopper’s Kit Connor on his coming out journey: “In many ways it was really empowering” appeared first on GAY TIMES.