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Joshua Bassett, who starred in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series answered a fan question about pop star Harry Styles during an appearance on Clevver News—an entertainment news and pop culture YouTube channel.
When asked about what he admires most about the "Watermelon Sugar" singer, the 20-year-old actor had nothing to say but high praises leading many to believe Bassett had inadvertently come out of the closet.
You can watch the Clevver News clip here:
"He is a very classy man," Bassett began.
"He's also very well-rounded and kinda does it all—acting, singing, fashion. I think he's just a nice guy, doesn't say too much, when he talks, it matters. He's just cool—who doesn't think Harry Styles is cool?"
He continued gushing:
"Also, he's hot, you know? He's very charming, too. Lots of things."
After catching himself getting caught up in the moment, he added:
"This is also my coming out video, I guess."
And the internet was here for his coming-out party.
Assuming he did come out as gay in the clip, many praised the casual manner in which he declared himself a member of the LGBTQ+ community without much fanfare.
If this is indeed a ~coming out~ I\u2019m so glad to see the younger generation being very about sexuality bc I did the whole ~locking myself in my bedroom not eating properly for weeks~ thing when I was 15 and it wasn\u2019t fun actually!https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1391782189369544713\u00a0\u2026— not again ben (@not again ben) 1620663725
I like that he just didn\u2019t care and didn\u2019t make a huge deal.https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1391782189369544713\u00a0\u2026— Venus Flytrap \ud83e\udddc\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2640\ufe0f \ud83c\udf83 (@Venus Flytrap \ud83e\udddc\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2640\ufe0f \ud83c\udf83) 1620663521
coming out doesn\u2019t always have to be this big thing. me and my friends all are unlabeled but we all told eachother in the most casual way so the ppl in the quotes need to chill. bi men exist too you know.https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1391782189369544713\u00a0\u2026— nat HS1 DAY (@nat HS1 DAY) 1620665208
A day after his verbal adoration for Styles, Bassett addressed the speculation around his sexuality with an Instagram video in which he sang an acoustic song.
In the caption of the post, he wrote:
"My entire life people have told me my sexuality. people have shamed me for things they know nothing about. I want to say thank you to those of you who stand for love and acceptance."
"Toxicity, hatred, and negativity say less about the subject, but say far more about those who spew it. It's 2021. we are the generation of love & growth, it's time we start acting like it. whether you love me, hate me, or damn me to hell, i love you all the same."
He encouraged followers to "love who you love shamelessly" and assured them " it's ok to still be figuring out who you are."
"Life's too short to let ignorance and hatred win. I choose love."
Many social media users applauded his candidness in addressing his sexuality.
They stressed coming out is a personal process no one is obligated to fully explain or justify to those demanding clarification.
He is right it\u2019s ok if your still figuring out who you are you should come out own your own terms you shouldn\u2019t feel Forced to come out just because \u201cyou owns us an explanation\u201d no he doesn\u2019t he doesn\u2019t own anyone ANYTHING!— AJ Hoyles \u24ed (@AJ Hoyles \u24ed) 1620761013
whenever you are ready no pressure. come out whenever you want https://twitter.com/joshuatbassett/status/1392185795231031297\u00a0\u2026— ~\ud83c\udf39\u2728 (@~\ud83c\udf39\u2728) 1620762928
i don't even know or like him but it's irritating to see so many people question his way of coming out-by that harry styles video bc that's also similar to how i would come out?? i just like to slip that out casually so the next time someone does that pls try to believe them lolhttps://twitter.com/joshuatbassett/status/1392185795231031297\u00a0\u2026— michelle (@michelle) 1620763148
beautiful message— ander \ud83d\udc06\ud83c\udf35 (@ander \ud83d\udc06\ud83c\udf35) 1620760872
Y\u2019all are just too much. This is clearly him saying he doesn\u2019t have a label because he\u2019s still figuring his sexuality out. Everyone loves to act \u201cwoke\u201d and accepting until it comes to someone they don\u2019t like— \ud835\udcc5\ud835\udc5c\ud835\udccb \ud835\udcc8\ud835\udcc9\ud835\udcb6\ud835\udcc3 (@\ud835\udcc5\ud835\udc5c\ud835\udccb \ud835\udcc8\ud835\udcc9\ud835\udcb6\ud835\udcc3) 1620797303
This kinda makes me sad tho... this really wasn't needed. Why do people care about someone's sexuality— Justin \ud83c\udf39 (@Justin \ud83c\udf39) 1620767676
proud of him— Big Daddy Yogurt (@Big Daddy Yogurt) 1620762111
We choose love as well, Josh.