Joshua Bassett Opens up About His Sexuality and Relationships in New Interview

Joshua Bassett, the 20-year-old songwriter and star of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, spoke about his sexuality and rumors circulating the drama of his past relationships.

Joshua Bassett posted photos from his GQ shoot on Instagram on June 24. He wore preppy purple, white, and black suits as he walked the streets of West Village, New York.

The HSMTMTS star first drew speculations about his sexuality when he called Harry Styles hot in a Clevver News interview. He said, “He’s cool. Who doesn’t think Harry Styles is cool? Also, he’s hot, you know? He’s very charming, too. Lots of things. I guess this is also my coming out video.”

In his GQ interview, Bassett talked about his Instagram post that followed the Clevver News video, where he clarified his words. He wrote, “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.” Remembering that post, the star said, “I stood behind every word that I said. Even if there are consequences, I would much rather deal with consequences and live my truth than live in fear.”

When asked about coming out, the “Feel Something” singer said, “I am anti–coming out in the sense that there’s no need to.” However, he believes that people can use labels if they feel more comfortable. He remembers moments during his childhood where “People would tell me that I’m straight or (I) can’t be gay because XYZ thing.” And people still didn’t believe him “…Either way if I talked about my sexuality in any way.”

Bassett explained that it’s okay to not know your sexuality yet. “There are plenty of letters in the alphabet… Why bother rushing to a conclusion? 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. All of these can be true. I’m happy to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community because they embrace all. Don’t let anyone tell you love isn’t love. They’re the ones who probably need it the most.”

Bassett talked about his appreciation for the LGBTQIA+ representation in HSMTMTS, as Joe Serafini and Frankie Rodriguez play a gay couple, Seb and Carlos. “I think nothing is more powerful than speaking the truth.” He remembers getting emotional watching Serafini and Rodriguez film a scene where they danced together.

He says, “I didn’t connect the dots why until recently…the reason that made me so emotional. I’m getting so emotional now because they were speaking their truth despite the inevitable reaction that they were going to get.” Referring to today’s society, the actor said, “I just hope that this generation can feel comfortable, confident, and safe talking about sexuality without needing to be a box and without needing to have it all figured out.”

Fans on social media, especially TikTok, have been speculating about Bassett’s off-screen relationships. Their theories of the love triangle between him, co-star Olivia Rodrigo, and Girl Meets World star Sabrina Carpenter intensified when Rodrigo released her heartbreaking hit, “Drivers License.” Bassett has stayed silent on the drama, saying, “People don’t know anything they’re talking about.” So he has been “Biting my tongue, in a lot of ways, but the reality is it’s kind of like a lost cause trying to talk about any of that stuff, and I refuse to feed into any of the bullshit, so I just don’t.”

However, he reminded fans that Rodrigo and Carpenter aren’t defined by their relationship with him. He asked, “Why don’t we focus on these women for who they are? Let’s focus on the art that they’re making and how great they are instead of their relationship to a boy.”

Fans showed support for Bassett following his interview on Twitter.

good for joshua bassett for coming out and saying he’s part of the lgbt+ community. im happy for him

— gillian (@herahsokas) June 24, 2021

i’m so proud of joshua bassett omg :^)

— willow 47 (@sourghostin) June 24, 2021

anyway happy pride to joshua bassett 👍🏻

— lou (@sixofmoons) June 24, 2021

“Don’t let anyone tell you love isn’t love. They’re the ones who probably need it the most” couldn’t have said it any better myself. Thank you Joshua Bassett… doesn’t matter who it’s between, if it’s felt, share it

— 🥰 (@lauran_roe) June 24, 2021

Be sure to follow Joshua Bassett on Instagram and catch up on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+.