Joshua Bassett is providing clarity on his truth – even if he’s avoiding labels surrounding his sexuality.
The 20-year-old actor and singer has been the center of internet speculation of him “coming out” after calling Harry Styles hot. But in an interview with GQ published Thursday, Bassett is clearing things up: “I’m happy to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community.”
After his admiration for Styles went viral, Bassett took to Instagram to encourage people to love who they love and sent a message of assurance to those still “figuring (their sexuality) out.”
But the “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” actor didn’t use the opportunity to express how he personally identified his sexuality because he didn’t find it necessary.
“I am anti-coming out in the sense that there’s no need to,” Bassett told GQ. “People are welcome to have boxes if they want them.”
Bassett said he remembered hearing comments about his sexuality when he was a child after what he described as growing up with a “feminine sort of energy” being raised around his five sisters. He said people assumed he would grow up to be gay, told him reasons he couldn’t be gay or didn’t believe him if he claimed to be either gay or straight.
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With all of this messaging Bassett said he advocates for not labeling sexuality.
“Sometimes your letter changes, sometimes you try a different one, other times you realize you’re not what you thought you were, or maybe you always knew,” Basset said. “All of these can be true. I’m happy to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community because they embrace all.”
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Bassett said he hopes his message and the experiences of other young LGBTQ celebrities allows his generation to be comfortable and feel safe talking about sexuality without feeling pressured to pick a box.
“I didn’t necessarily have that when I was younger. I didn’t have a me saying stuff like this,” he said. “I’m very at peace. I’m celebrating Pride all month long.”
There was a time recently, Bassett said, when he wasn’t at peace. Long-rumored to be the subject behind”High School Musical: The Series” co-star Olivia Rodrigo’s break-up anthems, Bassett encountered a life-threatening medical emergency two days after Rodrigo’s hit single “Driver’s License” was released.
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What he thought was food poisoning began to get worse leading to him being hospitalized the day his own single “Lies, Lies, Lies” was released. He told GQ he was diagnosed with septic shock, a condition the Mayo Clinic describes as a severe drop in blood pressure, and heart failure.
“I had a 30% chance of survival. They told me that if I had not checked into the hospital within 12 hours, I would have been found (dead) in my apartment,” Bassett said.
“The year that I’ve had has been earth-shattering. I’m still landing on my feet,” he added.
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