Kit Connor and Joe Locke were woefully unprepared for the unrelenting pressure and weirdness that came with becoming global superstars following the explosive popularity of Netflix’s Heartstopper where they play the gay teen couple Nick and Charlie.

 

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In a new interview with British GQ both Connor and Locke reveal the difficulties with living under the microscope of such sudden and relentless fame.

RELATED: ‘Heartstopper’ Star Kit Connor Congrats Fans on ‘Forcing’ Him To Come Out

Only a little over a week ago, Connor came out as bisexual while noting that he felt forced to do so [Accused of queer baiting, something you cannot do in real life]. Though he sounded more upbeat about his coming out during this interview, “Social media is not a window into my soul at all. So [it] was the best decision of my life. In many ways it’s great, but as someone who’s in the public eye, if you look for people saying bad stuff about you, you’ll find it. (…) You want to know what people are saying. Everyone wants to be liked, which is slightly heartbreaking when you’re in the position of someone like me or Joe.”

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

— Kit Connor (@kit_connor) October 31, 2022

Locke says, “The idea of a tabloid being interested in a teenager’s love life is really gross. Someone making money out of rumors about who I – an 18-year-old boy – might be liking or talking to, it’s really gross and perverted. I’m 18… I don’t know who I am yet.”

They have each other, which helps. “Joe’s really been such a lifesaver in so many ways for me; as a support system and a friend to go through everything with,” Connor says.

“I’ve tried to do the same for him,” Locke agrees, smiling. “I don’t think Kit really understands what an incredible person he is.”

The two are currently shooting season two.