Dylan O’Brien Shares How LGBTQ+ Community Inspired Him in Ponyboi Film
Dylan O’Brien wants to use his voice to help others.
The Maze Runner alum reflected on the visibility he hopes to shed on the LGBTQ+ community and their diverse stories by starring in projects like his new movie Ponyboi.
“I have many people in my life in the queer space and in the trans space,” Dylan exclusively told E! News. “It's always been something natural to me to support people that I love and that I want to see—especially in this industry—telling stories, especially now.”
And although Ponyboi—in theaters now—was filmed in 2022, the Teen Wolf star explained that he is grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on queer stories in the present day.
“In many ways, I'm so thankful that it's coming out in this moment with what this country is experiencing in particular,” Dylan continued. “It couldn't be more of a meaningful moment for this movie to be coming out now”
The 33-year-old also emphasized his excitement for audiences to see his costar River Gallo, who wrote the movie and stars as a young intersex sex worker that runs from the mob after a drug deal goes wrong.
“To see a film like this representing the trans community with a lead intersex character [like] we've never seen before—so in your face—it's f--king wild and messy and it's a wild ride,” Dylan shared. “It's such a ‘f--k you’ right now and the exact one that we need. It's awesome and I'm just thankful and grateful to even be a part of it.”
As for what else compels the Saturday Night actor to select which projects he works on? He said there’s more to it than being “hypervigilant” about choosing scripts “from a place of my heart and my gut.”
“[It’s also about] who I want to, for lack of a better word, get in bed with in terms of this industry and find collaborators and artists that inspire me and that I want to hear more from,” Dylan explained. “If I can be a part of championing their project or being a part of a new voice being lent to this space in this industry, then f--k yeah, let's go.”
Dylan isn’t the only star championing LGBTQ+ stories. Read on to see how other stars embraced the community during Pride month.
The Bravo stars reunite for The Wall Street Hotel's Pride with Hetrick-Martin Institute + Perry Moore Hero Fund event in NYC.
The megastar delivers a headlining performance on night one of the World Pride Music Festival in Washington, D.C.
The Grammy-winning rapper performs during the World Pride concert in Washington, D.C.
The cute couple celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium on June 13, 2025.
The "About Damn Time" singer lit up the stage with a powerful performance at the OUTLOUD Music Festival in West Hollywood.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member attends the Gay à Paris event at Printemps New York.
The former Disney star speaks onstage at the World Pride concert following the World Pride parade in Washington, D.C.
The host of RuPaul's Drag Race brings charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to the mainstage of the World Pride Music Festival in Washington, D.C.
The Real Housewives stars posed together onstage during Meredith's DJ set at OUTLOUD Music Festival in West Hollywood.
The Book of Mormon and Girls actor greets fans as Celebrity Grand Marshal of the 2025 LA Pride Parade.
The Traitors cast members reunited for a drag brunch at The Abbey during WeHo Pride in Los Angeles.
The fashion designer and legendary singer-actress attended the Fashion Centered 2025 Fundraiser Dinner hosted by The Center in New York City.
The fabulous ladies posed together after Paris' set at the OUTLOUD Music Festival in West Hollywood.
The And Just Like That actress attended the Out and The Advocate Pride Cover Party: Pride of Broadway in New York City.
The British singer performs at the World Pride Music Festival in Washington, D.C.
The Euphoria actor attended the OUTLOUD Music Festival during WeHo Pride.
Ashlee Simpson arrived backstage to see her friend Maren Morris perform at the Outloud Music Festival in West Hollywood.
The iconic fashion designer and RuPaul's Drag Race alum teamed up to host a party in L.A. celebrating Pride month and the official launch of Betsey Johnson’s 2025 Pride Campaign starring Gottmik.
The actress stepped out for the 2025 NewFest Pride film festival in New York City.
The Love on the Spectrum stars attended the WeHo Pride Icons Award Ceremony in West Hollywood.
The Broadway star attended the 2025 Out & The Advocate Pride Cover Party: Pride of Broadway hosted by Out.com, Advocate.com and Equalpride.
The model and Baby Reindeer actress attended the WeHo Pride Icons Award Ceremony.
The "Stars Are Blind" singer performed in rainbow attire at OUTLOUD Music Festival in Los Angeles.
The singer walked the red carpet at the Fashion Centered 2025 Fundraiser Dinner hosted by The Center in New York City.
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