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\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Noah Schnapp<\/strong><\/a> is celebrating a major honor recognizing both his work on Stranger Things<\/em> and his impact on LGBTQ+ representation on-screen.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old actor received the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Critics Choice Association\u2019s 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television<\/em>, held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Friday (May 29).<\/p>\n Noah was recognized for his work in the acclaimed final season of Netflix\u2019s Stranger Things<\/em>, with the Critics Choice Association<\/a> noting that the role gave him \u201cthe platform to deliver a compelling portrayal of coming out in the 1980s as a young adult.\u201d <\/p>\n The award was presented by Variety Senior Artisans Editor Jazz Tangcay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n During his acceptance speech, Noah<\/strong> reflected on the parallels between his own life and the journey of his character, Will Byers.<\/p>\n The actor shared that he \u201cdidn\u2019t realize how much Will Byers\u2019 journey had been preparing him for his own experience coming out at 18.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe vulnerability, the fear of how people perceive you, the desperate hope that the people you love will still see you the same way \u2014 I lived all of that very publicly, and I got through it because of my friends and family, who have loved me through all of it. That support means everything,\u201d Noah<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n #StrangerThings<\/a> star Noah Schnapp says he \u201cdidn\u2019t realize how much Will Byers\u2019 journey had been preparing\u201d him for his own experience coming out at 18:<\/p>\n \u201cThe vulnerability, the fear of how people perceive you, the desperate hope that the people you love will still see you the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Ub3sNNJmh6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Variety (@Variety) May 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Noah<\/strong> publicly came out<\/a> in January 2023 through a TikTok video in which he confirmed his sexuality to fans for the first time.<\/p>\n The actor also posed for photos alongside openly gay stars Dan Levy<\/strong> and Clea DuVall<\/strong>. Dan<\/strong> was honored with the Vanguard Award for his work on the Netflix series Big Mistakes<\/em>.<\/p>\n The recognition comes amid an exciting year for Noah<\/strong>. Earlier this month, he celebrated his graduation<\/a> from the University of Pennsylvania with family and recently reunited with several of his Stranger Things<\/em> co-stars<\/a> at a Netflix FYSEE Event!<\/p>\n\n
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