• “Heartstopper” star Kit Connor returned to Twitter to come out as bisexual.
• He said that he was forced to “out himself,” appearing to reference questions about his sexuality.
• “Heartstopper” author Alice Oseman and Connor’s costars replied in support of the actor.

“Heartstopper” star Kit Connor said he has been forced to “out himself” on social media after facing accusations of queerbaiting viewers of the Netflix show.

Connor became a breakout star after starring in the hit series as Nick Nelson, a teenage boy who discovers they are bisexual and has a difficult time coming out to his friends and family.

After receiving intense questioning from some fans about his sexuality, Connor returned to Twitter Monday, after previously deleting the app, to come out as bisexual himself.

“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,” Connor tweeted on Monday.

—Alice Oseman Updates (@AliceOseman) October 31, 2022

 

In September, Connor announced that he was deleting Twitter, saying it was a “silly silly app.”

While the actor didn’t clarify why he was leaving Twitter, his exit came shortly after fans started to question his sexuality. The comments arose after a video was published showing Connor holding hands with “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” star Maia Reficco, prompting speculation they were dating.

Some fans accused the actor of being straight and taking a bisexual role away from a queer actor. Others also accused Connor of queerbaiting. However, as social media users have pointed out, queerbaiting is a term used to describe fictional characters whom writers hint at being part of the LGBTQ+ community in order to attract queer audiences. 

This is not the first time Connor has had to address fans commenting on his sexuality. After the first season of “Heartstopper” aired, the 18-year-old actor tweeted in May: “twitter is so funny man. apparently some people on here know my sexuality better than I do…”

In response to Connor’s tweet on Monday, the actor received support from fans and “Heartstopper” author Alice Oseman.

“I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes,” Oseman replied to Connor’s tweet. “I hope all those people are embarrassed as FUCK. Kit you are amazing.”

Kizzy Edgell, who played Darcy in the series, also replied: “i love u kit im sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you. been treated so unfairly.”