Dylan O’Brien Opens Up on How LGBTQ+ Voices Fueled His Bold Role in Ponyboi

Hold onto your coffee cups because this is positively buzzing—Dylan O’Brien is spilling the beans on how the LGBTQ+ community ignited his passion for starring in the new indie flick Ponyboi! I’ve got thoughts zooming faster than my espresso shot can kick in, so let’s dive into the deets. In an E! News exclusive chat, Dylan—yes, Teen Wolf meets Maze Runner’s favorite heartthrob—opened up about his deep ties to queer and trans pals, and how their stories fueled every nail-biting decision on set. He told E! News that having “many people in my life in the queer space and in the trans space” makes supporting authentic storytelling feel as natural as breathing. And sweetie, if you’ve seen Ponyboi, you know it’s all about raw, messy, in-your-face representation that we’ve craved for ages.
Now, even though the camera rolls wrapped in 2022, Dylan is absolutely thrilled it’s hitting theaters right now—especially with what our country is grappling with. “It couldn’t be more of a meaningful moment for this movie to be coming out,” he said, like a proud parent unveiling their genius creation. Over on The Hollywood Reporter, critics are nodding in agreement, praising Ponyboi’s fearless dive into intersex experiences and queer sex work. Dylan’s co-star River Gallo—who not only penned the script but also owns the screen as an intersex sex worker on the run—gets a standing ovation for bringing a voice we’ve never seen front and center.
But wait, there’s more tea! Dylan confessed his project picks aren’t just about juicy scripts—they’re about chemistry. He wants to partner with artists and filmmakers who light his creative fire, saying, “If I can champion a new voice in this industry, then f— yeah, let’s go!” Cue me doing cartwheels in the living room.
Of course, Dylan isn’t the only celeb waving the Pride flag. E! News also recapped how Housewives stars—Meredith Marks, Luann de Lesseps—and Bravo’s Andy Cohen joined forces for a Pride event in NYC. Meanwhile, music legends like Lizzo and Kesha lit up World Pride in D.C., and Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Chrishell Stause celebrated at Dodgers Stadium. But back to Dylan: his excitement for Ponyboi’s message and timing is completely contagious. He’s using his platform to spotlight marginalized voices, and honestly, I’m here for every heartfelt, chaotic, unfiltered moment.
Alright, I need to catch my breath after that whirlwind—this film is about to shake up our screens, and Dylan’s raw enthusiasm is downright infectious. I swear, I could talk about this all day.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, The Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed