9 LGBTQ+ Stars You Didn't Know Got Their Start on Nickelodeon
Who Knew These Queer Actors Were On The Network Known For Green Slime?
Nickelodeon, the network best known for kids programming and dropping green slim on everyone, has had a bevy of queer actors starring on their hit shows. Who knew?!
Nickelodeon has had queer-coded characters on their shows for decades, but now there are also LGBTQ+ stars in front of the camera. Some got their start as voice actors on an animated series, while others starred in series or one of the network's original movies. And although many of the actors are still young, some of them even came out before ever staring in a Nick project, one even becoming the first trans star on a Nickelodeon show.
Keep scrolling to see the eight LGBTQ+ stars who got their start of Nickelodeon! And be sure to follow them all on Instagram.
Garrett Clayton
Garrett Clayton was in both 100 Things To Do Before High School and Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder, but more recently he's shot to fame as a gay pop star whose single "Barbie Boys" was a summer hit.
Hayley Kiyoko
Fans of Haley Kiyoko's pop music may refer to her as "Lesbian Jesus," but she got her start on Nickelodeon with the show Unfabulous.
Buddy Handleson
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Buddy Handleson starred as Wendell Bassett in the Nickelodeon comedy series Wendell & Vinnie. The actor came out in 2017 by posting a photo of himself in front of a rainbow flag on Instagram with the caption, "Over the past couple of years I've become more and more comfortable with my sexuality and I think I'm ready to share it with the world. I'm finally at a place in life where I can say I'm proud of who I am. I'm proud to be gay."
Lucas Cruikshank
Lucas Cruikshank starred as the titular character in Fred: The Movie and its sequel Fred: Night of the Living Fred. The actor came out publicly in 2013 in a YouTube video saying, "I’m gay. It’s so weird saying it on camera. My family and friends have known for like three years and I just haven’t felt the need to announce it on the Internet.”
Alyson Stoner
Alyson Stoner came out as queer in a personal essay for Teen Vogue in 2018. Stoner was a voice actor in both Loud House and the super queer Legend of Korra.
Jake Borelli
Jake Borelli starred as Wolfgang on the Nickelodeon comedy series The Thundermans. Later when his character on Grey's Anatomy came out as gay, he came out in real life as well via Instagram where he wrote, ""As a gay guy myself, tonight's episode was so special to me."
Sasha A. Cohen
Sasha A. Cohen was cast on Nickelodeon's popular superhero comedy show Danger Force when he was only 13 years old. At the time, this role made him the first openly trans teen to ever appear in a live-action show for the network.
Jojo Siwa
Openly LGBTQ+ former Dance Moms star Jojo Siwa signed with Nickelodeon in 2017 and has since starred in Blurt!, Lip Sync Battle Shorties, and two video games for the network.
Michael D. Cohen
Michael D. Cohen is best known for his role as Schwoz on the Nickelodeon show Henry Danger. The actor told Time that he doesn't use the term transgender and instead says that he “was misgendered at birth” and therefore “had a transgender experience — a transgender journey.”
