Noah Schnapp reveals dark side of fame ahead of 'Stranger Things' finale

Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp has revealed the struggles of growing up in the public eye and is calling for more mental health support for young actors.

The 20-year-old, who made his acting debut at just 11 in Netflix’s hit series, admitted he didn’t initially see the need for therapy. 

But as he’s matured, Schnapp says it has become essential. 

“It’s hard to grow up in the public eye. You don’t know yourself, you haven’t figured anything out, and now you’re expected to know everything and have all the answers,” he told USA Today.

He compared his experiences to Ariana Grande’s call for mandatory therapy for children in the entertainment industry.

He explained, “Through the years, it becomes like, ‘No, this is an abnormal life and you need some type of support system outside of your parents.’”

Schnapp also reflected on how fame can warp understanding. 

“Growing up, I never understood why people were depressed or turned to drugs or had eating disorders. 

As you get older, you understand how the pressures of Hollywood can create that. I always tell my parents, ‘I could never live in LA. I think I would get lost.’”

The actor’s honesty comes as fans gear up for the final season of Stranger Things, with the first four episodes of Season 5 now streaming and the last three dropping on Christmas Day. 

The epic two-hour finale airs on New Year’s Eve, marking the end of an era for the beloved sci-fi hit.

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