Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

'Abbott Elementary' Star Explains Why Speculation By Fans That He's Gay Is So 'Dangerous'

Tyler James Williams
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for ELLE

Tyler James Williams is shutting down rumors he's gay, and explaining why it can have a harmful affect on both LGBTQ+ people as well as straight men.

Tyler James Williams recently took to Instagram to address rumors he might be gay, and also comment on the dangers of speculating about anyone's sexuality.

The Abbott Elementary star shared a statement to his Instagram stories, clarifying that despite rumors, he is not gay.


He added how speculating on anyone's sexuality is a harmful practice.

You can see Williams' Instagram post here:

screenshots of Tyler James Williams Instagram Stories post@willtylerjames/Instagram

Williams explained guessing someone's sexuality based on certain traits or behaviors is what often leads to LGBTQ+ people being afraid to openly express themselves, particularly those who might be questioning their sexuality and identity.

He wrote:

"Usually I wouldn't address stuff like this but I feel like it as a conversation is bigger than me."
"I'm not gay, but I feel like the culture of trying to 'find' some kind of hidden trait or behavior that a closeted person 'let slip' is very dangerous."
"Overanalyzing someone's behavior in an attempt to 'catch' them directly contributes to the anxiety a lot of queer and queer questioning people feel when they fear living in their truth."
"It makes the most pedestrian conversations and interactions in spaces feel less safe for our gay brothers and sisters and those who may be questioning."

Williams added publicly speculating on someone's sexuality based on their behavior also perpetuates outdated, harmful gender stereotypes.

"It also reinforces an archetype many straight men have to live under that is oftentimes unrealistic, less free, and limits individual expression."

Williams referred to his notable fashion choices on the red carpet—always following a distinctive style far different from the traditional black tie most men wear to award shows and galas.

He explained he made it his mission to break conventions about how masculinity should be perceived.

"I’ve been very clear about the intentionality I try to put into using my platform to push back against those archetypes every chance that I get."
"Being straight doesn’t look one way."
"Being gay doesn’t look one way."
"And what may seem like harmless fun and conversation may actually be sending a dangerous message to those struggling with real issues."
"I refuse to inadvertently contribute to that message."

Williams ended his note with a touching nod to Pride month.

He stated as an ally he will continue to support and fight for the LGBTQ+ community so they will one day safely live in a world free of judgment.

"Happy Pride to all of my queer and questioning brothers, sisters and individuals."
"I pray that you feel seen in ways that make you feel safe in the celebration that is this month."

"As an ally I continue to be committed to assisting in that where I can and helping to cultivate a future where we are all accepted and given permission to be ourselves."

People took to Twitter to express their support for his statement.

Many expressed their own frustrations over why someone's sexuality should be a talking point.










Williams shot to stardom at the age of 12 whkle playing the title role in the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, loosely based on the childhood of comedian Chris Rock.

Williams told GQ in March his exposure to fame at such a young age resulted in his being in an ongoing state of "hypervigilance."

He continues to struggle with people's preconceived notions about him because of his career.

"I still get triggered by things that are part of everybody else’s childhood."
"Every time someone comes up to me, regardless of what it is they recognize me for, what that says to me in the moment is that I’m seen."
"I have to be on, immediately, because someone’s watching."
"Hypervigilance was one of the things that we had to tackle, because I would be listening to everyone’s conversation in a room."
"I could hear my name being brought up from two, three tables down."
"I could see how many people clocked me when I walked in the door."
"And that’s not healthy."

Abbott Elementary has been one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved sitcoms in recent memory.

Season two broke the hearts of many viewers after central character Janine—played by show creator Quinta Brunson—told Williams' character Gregory she needs some time to herself following an almost torturous "will they/won't they" over the course of the show's first two seasons.

More from Trending

Screenshot of Stephen Miller discussing Robert De Niro
Fox News

Stephen Miller Claims Robert De Niro Has Only Made 'Flops' For Past 30 Years—And Here Come The Receipts

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller had people rolling their eyes after he lashed out at actor Robert De Niro and claimed the legendary performer—the recipient of two Academy Awards and scores of other prizes over a more than 50-year career—has only made "flops" for the past 30 years.

On Sunday, De Niro, a vocal critic of the Trump administration, called Miller "a Nazi," adding that Miller is "Jewish and he should be ashamed of himself.”

Keep ReadingShow less
A man holding a transparent umbrella on a boardwalk in a city
Person with umbrella overlooks city skyline by water
Photo by John Licas on Unsplash

People Share Purchases Under $20 That Made Their Lives Way Easier

Sometimes, in an effort to improve our lives in some capacity requires us to make a significant dent in our bank account.

Even though it might be yogurt for dinner for a few weeks after, we still feel good about our expensive purchases when we see the difference a high-powered washing machine makes, or feel the cool air from our upgraded air conditioner.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @matterneuroscience's Instagram video
@matterneuroscience/Instagram

Man Goes Viral After 3D-Printing A 6-Pound Phone Case To Combat Screen Addiction

Many Millennials will remember back in the nineties as the last of the "latchkey kids" who were prominently babysat by their televisions, and the commercials that rolled out, made popular on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, promoting kids to go play outside instead of watching TV all day.

Now in 2025, videos on Instagram and TikTok encouraging people to "pause their scroll" and to "put down their phones" are becoming more common and popular, because people are realizing how detrimental our increasing screen time is to our emotional, physical, and psychological health.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from ​@karaandlife's TikTok video
@karaandlife/TikTok

Woman Sparks Heated Debate After Encouraging People To Smile At Walmart Greeters

There's an old saying that goes, "It costs nothing to be kind."

Smiling at a stranger, saying hi back to a young and socialable child, holding a door for someone, and maybe even exchanging a pleasantry or two at the checkout line costs nothing more than a few words passing our lips and showing a little kindness.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @talashatara's TikTok video
@talashatara/TikTok

Woman Shocks The Internet By Showing Off Her Husband's Incredible 'Glow-Up'—And Wow

Everyone loves a good success story, and don't even get us started on glow-up videos!

But one trend that's been really popular lately is the "husband glow-up" trend. In these before-and-after trending videos, two videos will be spliced together. The first half of the video features either a photo or video of the person's husband, which then cuts to the second video, showing the husband's glow-up with Sabrina Carpenter's "When Did You Get Hot?" playing in the background.

Keep ReadingShow less