High School Musical star Joshua Bassett opens up about his sexuality after ‘coming out’ video: ‘I choose love’

High School Musical star Joshua Bassett called on his fans to “love who you love shamelessly” after he appeared to come out earlier this week.

Joshua Bassett, who plays Ricky Owens in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, gushed over Harry Styles during an interview with Clevver News, a pop culture and entertainment news YouTube account, on Monday (10 May).

“He’s just cool,” he said. “Who doesn’t think Harry Styles is cool? Also, he’s hot, you know?”

Appearing to catch himself, he groaned: “I guess this also my coming out video.”

The interview ignited a whirlwind of speculation about his sexuality. While some saw it as a casual, very Generation Z way of coming out, others were wary he could have been joking.

Responding to the speculation, Joshua Bassett uploaded a brief Instagram video on Tuesday (11 May) of him singing an acoustic song and opened up about his sexuality in the caption.

“My entire life people have told me my sexuality,” he wrote.

 

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A post shared by Joshua Bassett (@joshuatbassett)

“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 and 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.

“Love who you love shamelessly. It’s OK to still be figuring out who you are. Life’s too short to let ignorance and hatred win.

“I choose love.”

Joshua Basset praised by fans after addressing sexuality

Countless fans took to social media to praise Bassett’s candidness in opening up about his sexuality, stressing that, for so many folks, it’s all a journey and it’s perfectly fine to take the time one needs to figure it out.

not people saying he’s queer baiting because he won’t explicitly say his sexuality. it’s none of our business. and anyways, figuring yourself out is a thing??? this community ain’t as accepting as it preaches :// https://t.co/PzmMZ9kRjn— el (@e_lliotreid) May 11, 2021

whenever you are ready no pressure. come out whenever you want ❤?????? https://t.co/ToJvGkjcG9— ~?✨ (@_inmybloodshawn) May 11, 2021

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 lol https://t.co/BS5w7lyd9s— michelle (@fallininthedark) May 11, 2021

“my entire life people have told me my sexuality” is literally the first sentence and people are immediately asking him invasive questions or assuming his sexuality… weirdo behavior i don’t have time for y’all invalidating people who don’t publicly label them selves again https://t.co/GG90KLlXK8— dipper (@gothgansey) May 11, 2021