Abbott Elementary actor Tyler James Williams rules out rumors about his sexuality: ‘I’m not gay’

Tyler James Williams has addressed the speculation about his sexuality.

The 30-year-old Abbott Elementary actor – who recently discussed his “traumatic” teen stardom – took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday to clarify that he is “not gay” and labeled speculation about people’s sexuality as “dangerous.”

“Normally I wouldn’t discuss things like this, but I feel like a conversation is bigger than me. I’m not gay; but I think the culture of trying to ‘find’ some kind of hidden trait or behavior that an incarcerated person ‘releases’ is very dangerous,” he wrote.

“Overanalyzing someone’s behavior in an attempt to ‘catch’ them directly contributes to the anxiety that many queer and queer-questioning people feel when they fear living their truth,” the entertainer continued.

“It makes the most mundane conversations and interactions in spaces feel less safe with our gay siblings and those asking questions.”

The Everybody Hates Chris star – who described his near-fatal battle with Crohn’s disease in January of this year – continued: “It also reinforces an archetype that many straight men have to live under that is often unrealistic, less free and limits individual expression. . .’

“I’ve been very clear about the intentionality I’m trying to use my platform to hold those archetypes down every chance I get,” Tyler said in the second slide.

Being straight doesn’t look like one. Being gay doesn’t look good,” he said before wishing his followers a happy Pride month.

What seems like harmless fun and conversation can actually be a dangerous message for those struggling with real issues. I refuse to inadvertently contribute to that message.”

Happy Pride to all my strange and questioning brothers, sisters and individuals. I pray that you feel seen in a way that will make you feel safe during this month’s celebration.”

“As an ally, I remain committed to helping where I can and helping to cultivate a future where we are all accepted and allowed to be ourselves,” he concluded.

In March of this year, Williams confirmed during an interview with GK. The actor has been largely private about his dating life and has never confirmed any of his relationships, although he has been linked to singer Karina Pasian and actress Anastasia Baranova in the past.

In the interview, Williams discussed how his fame has affected his ability to develop romantic relationships as it hinders his ability to “be seen.”

“I’m not gay”: “I think the culture of trying to ‘find’ some kind of hidden trait or behavior that an incarcerated person is ‘unleashing’ is very dangerous,” he wrote in a lengthy statement

Archetypes: “It also reinforces an archetype that many straight men have to live under, which is often unrealistic, less free and limits individual expression,” he added

‘Happy Pride’: ‘Being straight doesn’t look one way. Being gay doesn’t look one way,” Tyler wrote, before wishing “all my queer and questioning brothers, sisters and individuals” a Happy Pride month; Seen in 2023

Price of Fame: Williams recently discussed how his fame has affected his ability to develop romantic relationships as it hinders his ability to “be seen”; Pictured with co-star Sarah Hyland in 2019

“It makes it hard to be seen,” he explained. “I’ve never even had a chance to introduce myself to anyone. There’s something really cool about when I’m looking at people and I’m like, “Damn, you guys met and she doesn’t know anything about you. You were just able to give her who you are now.”

Elsewhere in the interview, he talked about the “traumatic” fame he endured as a teenager when he made his Hollywood breakthrough starring in the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris.

He also revealed that he was once told by a producer that he would “probably never work again” after the show, which ran from 2005 to 2009.

In the interview, Williams told the publication that he realized “pretty f***ing fast” how child stars were sentenced to “juvenile purgatory” in Hollywood.

Williams began his career at age seven, working as an extra on Saturday Night Live before landing the sitcom that would land him in the public eye at age 12.

He described fame as “the weirdest shit in the world,” adding, “It was traumatic. I’m still triggered by things that are part of everyone’s childhood.”

“Any time someone comes up to me, no matter what they recognize me for, what that says to me at that moment is that I’m being seen. I have to get to work right away, because someone is watching.’

The Let It Shine star went on to explain that his teen stardom exploded around the same time the internet collided with Hollywood, compounding his anxiety.

To cope with and recover from his worsening paranoia, Williams entered therapy and addressed his “hypervigilance.”

Career: Williams recently garnered attention for playing teacher Gregory Eddie on the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary; Pictured in a still from the show

Success: the role earned him his first Golden Globe. Abbott Elementary was renewed by ABC for a third season in January 2023; Pictured at the 80th Golden Globe Awards

Rise to fame: The actor first rose to fame with his starring role in the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, which ran from 2005 to 2009

“Over-vigilance was one of the things we had to address because I’d be in a room listening to everyone’s conversation.”

Williams described his hypervigilance even further, adding, “I heard my name being called from two, three tables down. I could see how many people had clocked me when I entered. And that’s not healthy.’

More recently, Williams has gained attention for playing teacher Gregory Eddie on the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, which earned him his first Golden Globe.

Abbott Elementary was renewed by ABC for a third season in January 2023.