Barb From "Stranger Things" Opens Up About Coming To Terms With Her Sexuality
Shannon Purser, the actor behind beloved fan-favorite Barb from Stranger Things, got candid about her sexuality on Twitter Tuesday.
The 19-year-old explained to her followers that learning to be comfortable with her sexual identity has been "a process" and offered words of encouragement and love to her fans that might be going through a similar journey of self-discovery.
Getting comfortable with your sexuality is a process. It's going to be ok. I wish I'd known that sooner.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
Another thing I wish I'd known about sexuality is to take it slow. It can define you as much as you want it to.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
But it's gonna be ok. You're going to be ok. No, you're going to be great.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
All that to say, you're not alone. You're in my prayers and, if you're the praying kind, please keep me in yours. ?
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
Purser's Barb became a cult sensation when the first season of Stranger Things hit Netflix last summer. The character especially connected with queer viewers, who were drawn to Barb's outsider status and her strong sense of self.
“We all at some point in our lives have felt that we weren’t at the top of our social circle, or that maybe we needed our friends more than they needed us, and feeling overlooked," Purser told Paper of the character's queer appeal. "I think a lot more people feel a little bit insecure and a little bit hungry for love and acceptance.”
The second season of Stranger Things is set to premiere this Halloween.