Since his rise to stardom on “Stranger Things,” Caleb McLaughlin has experienced the “toll” of prejudice.
The 20-year-old actor, who has portrayed Lucas Sinclair on the show from its 2016 premiere on Netflix and has starred in all four seasons to date, has recalled the treatment he has endured over the years.
During his weekend appearance at the Heroes Comic Con in Brussels, Belgium, he stated, “It absolutely affected me as a child. At my very first Comic-Con, some individuals refused to stand in my queue due to my race.
Some individuals informed me, ‘Oh, I didn’t want to be in your queue since you were rude to Millie Bobby Brown’s character, Eleven.’
McLaughlin also observed a difference in social media support compared to his co-stars.
He continued: “Why am I the least popular? Why do I have the smallest number of followers? I’m on the same show as everyone from the first season.
McLaughlin has 15.4 million Instagram followers, which is less than Millie’s 58.5 million, while Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, and Gaten Matarazzo have 27.6 million, 26.3 million, and 18.2 million followers, respectively.
The actor has the backing of his parents, who made it obvious from an early age that he will encounter intolerance.
“My parents had to say, ‘It’s a terrible truth, but it’s because you’re the black child on the show,’” he explained.
“And I thought, ‘Wow, that’s insane. Because I was born with chocolate-colored complexion, I am unloved?
“Therefore, I want to share positivity and love through my platform since I do not return hatred to those that show it to me.”