On December 9, a tweet from a parody account sparked a wave of controversy, claiming that actress Millie Bobby Brown had joked about setting her Stranger Things co-star Noah Schnapp on fire and referred to him as “LGBBQ.” The claim quickly went viral, garnering over 31.6 million views on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. However, it has since been debunked as entirely fabricated.

Origin of the Claim

The rumor originated from a post by the parody account Drop Pop (@DropPopNet). The account’s bio clearly states its content is satirical and not meant to be taken seriously, yet many users interpreted the post as factual.

“Noah Schnapp shares that Millie Bobby Brown has repeatedly joked about setting him on fire and calling him an ‘LGBBQ,’” read the post alongside pictures of the co-stars.

Despite its satirical nature, the post went viral, prompting outrage and debate across social media.

The Truth Behind the Rumor

Upon closer inspection, there is no evidence to support the claim. Millie Bobby Brown has not made any such remarks about Noah Schnapp. The parody account’s disclaimer and the lack of verifiable sources further debunk the allegations.

This incident is not the first time Brown has been the target of false narratives. In 2018, similar fabricated claims about her being anti-LGBTQ gained traction, leading to memes and doctored content that forced the young actress to quit Twitter temporarily.

Brown’s Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Rights

Despite past controversies, Brown has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. In a 2022 interview with Variety, she emphasized the importance of accepting personal journeys and avoiding labels, particularly regarding Noah Schnapp’s character, Will Byers, in Stranger Things.

When Schnapp came out as gay in January 2023, he revealed that Brown was among the first people he confided in. Recalling the moment, he said:

“I FaceTimed her from a Party City and said, ‘Millie, I’m gay.’ And she was like, ‘Oh, Schnapper! You told me finally!’”

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This demonstrates the close bond the two share, both on and off-screen.

While the viral tweet has been debunked, it highlights the speed at which misinformation can spread online. The incident also serves as a reminder to verify claims, particularly those involving public figures, before accepting them as truth.

Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp remain close friends, as evidenced by their numerous public appearances and Schnapp’s attendance at Brown’s wedding in September 2024.

As the dust settles, the incident underscores the need for critical thinking and caution when engaging with viral content, particularly from parody accounts.

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