Noah Schnapp has finally responded to his “Zionism is Sexy” backlash – but Stranger Things fans are saying they “aren’t fooled” by his reaction video.
Schnapp rose to global fame for his turn as Will Byers in Netflix juggernaut Stranger Things, having first appeared in the series when he was just 11 years old. As he grew older, however, the actor ran into a number of controversies, the latest involving the Israel-Hamas conflict.
After taking to Instagram to share a lengthy statement in which he criticized those “choosing sides,” footage emerged showing him laughing with friends in a coffee shop as they passed around stickers saying “Zionism is sexy” and “Hamas is Isis.”
Noah Schnapp handing out “Hamas is Isis” and “Zionism is sexy” stickers https://t.co/PXVHC80Jmt
— lexie 🍉 (@gomezquality) November 13, 2023
While there was widespread backlash, with many calling on Netflix to remove Schnapp from Stranger Things Season 5, Schnapp himself chose not to respond – but this all changed today (January 16).
Stranger Things fans “aren’t fooled” by Noah Schnapp backlash video
In a new TikTok video, Schnapp says he felt that his “thoughts and beliefs have been so far misconstrued,” and that everyone should “stand together for humanity and for peace” – but Stranger Things fans aren’t buying it.
His backlash response has been shared on X/Twitter, where it’s receiving dozens of comments. “Didn’t his original post say like if you’re a ‘both sides’ person then you’re soulless or something? Cut to him basically saying peace in the Middle East hey,” wrote one.
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“The sniffling.. boy-,” said another, to which a third replied, “Like girl who are you fooling.” Similarly, one person commented, “He’s not fooling anyone, I’m crying,” while sharing receipts of his previous statements about the conflict.
Many believe Schnapp is doing “damage control” as instructed by PR to save his image, including this person who said: “Gotta love the PR apology & aha moment that comes when they say that check is gonna stop.”
“Went from ‘Zionism is sexy’ to ‘I just want world peace and harmony guys’, that’s how yk his bank account was getting hit, pack it up,” wrote another, while a third added, “He knows he has to work a regular 9-5 job after this season and had to do something quick.”
You can read Schnapp’s full response here and about his controversies here.