15-year-old Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp learned the power of his actions earlier this week after serious backlash online.
Last summer, the teen went to summer camp, and on the way there, Schnapp and his friends were singing songs from the radio. Caught on video, Schnapp and his friends were singing along with “Freaky Friday” by Lil Dicky, featuring Chris Brown.
The song contains multiple uses of the N-word. What has viewers concerned was that, instead of censoring the word out all-together, Schnapp instead used the word “neighbor” to continue singing along with the song.
You can see the recording here, originally posted on Instagram by one of Schnapp’s friends:
tw/ racism , slurs
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ah gross. noah schnapp said the n-word. what the hell. this is genuinely disgusting. he’s singing it along with some lyrics, but that doesn’t make it okay.pic.twitter.com/PCenmZy8PU
— neptune the shadow (@3CHEERS4RVNGE) August 26, 2020
Some viewers felt the act was a little too natural, implying that Schnapp actually uses the word frequently.
Ok but why did Noah schnapp say the n-word so confidently that’s how you know he says it on a daily💀💀 pic.twitter.com/kYdQd2jfVa
— 𝔪𝔦𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔢🪐 (@michell02121962) August 26, 2020
just a reminder that even if noah schnapp did say “neighbor” instead of the n-word, something doesn’t sit right with me about him excitedly going “wonder if I can say the n-word?!”
— sabrina (@sabrinamuthyala) August 26, 2020
i swear people are so problematic these days that even noah schnapp is causing problems. like chile no need for the n-word to be used in any circumstance #noahschnappisoverparty
— ·˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ♡ seungminnie (@hcppyseungmin) August 27, 2020
Since the video surfaced, there have been calls to cancel Noah Schnapp, including a trending hashtag “NoahSchnappIsOverParty.”
With the severity of the backlash across social media channels, Schnapp finally spoke out about the video.
In an Instagram story, Schnapp apologized:
“Recently a video from last summer has gotten out of me dancing and singing a song while singing the word ‘neighbor’ over the n-word. I would truly never say the n-word, and I’m not the type of person.”
“I genuinely have never used that word in my life. Using the word ‘neighbor’ in that song was just something my camp friends and I did.”
“I hope you all understand I could never even think about doing that. My friends also would never post a video, or support me, if I was saying that slur without hesitation.”
“I apologize for using a replacement word. It is not my place to use one and I should of kept my mouth shut.”
“I understand why it is found offensive and I am so sorry.”

While some viewers are still concerned at Schnapp’s word choice and levity in the video, others see this as an overreaction, or simply didn’t hear any misuse of any words during the video.
i see tiktok trying to cancel noah schnapp because he apparently said the n-word, he didn't, he said neighbour and immediately apologised afterwards. you lot are just bored go get a life
— freya (@ffreyawwfc) August 27, 2020
noah schnapp didn’t say the n-word. get over it
— niacouling (@niacouling1) August 26, 2020
I don’t care if Noah schnapp said the N-word ima still see the new season of stranger things
— Jr (@jr__memes) August 27, 2020
Whether or not Schnapp meant to imply the n-word is unclear, but he’ll hopefully be more thoughtful about his words and actions going forward.