'Stranger Things' Star Shannon Purser Gets Candid About Her Sexuality, Shares Message of Hope For Her Fans
Stranger Things star Shannon Purser is opening up about her sexuality, and sharing some words of love and support for any of her fans who are struggling to accept themselves.
Purser -- who plays fan-favorite character Barb Holland on the hit Netflix sci-fi drama -- took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her own battle with anxiety over her sexuality in a lengthy, emotional series of tweets.
"Getting comfortable with your sexuality is a process. It's going to be ok. I wish I'd known that sooner," wrote the actress, who also stars as Ethel Muggs on The CW's Riverdale. "Another thing I wish I'd known about sexuality is to take it slow. It can define you as much as you want it to."
"Either way, I know what it's like to have anxiety about it," she continued. "Especially trying to come to terms with it and my faith. It can be really scary... But it's gonna be ok. You're going to be ok. No, you're going to be great."
Getting comfortable with your sexuality is a process. It's going to be ok. I wish I'd known that sooner.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
Another thing I wish I'd known about sexuality is to take it slow. It can define you as much as you want it to.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
Either way, I know what it's like to have anxiety about it. Especially trying to come to terms with it and my faith. It can be really scary.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
But it's gonna be ok. You're going to be ok. No, you're going to be great.
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
WATCH: 'Stranger Things' Star Shannon Purser Gets 'Super Real' on Body Image
Purser went on to say that she would be keeping those who need help and support in her prayers and asked, "If you're the praying kind, please keep me in yours."
All that to say, you're not alone. You're in my prayers and, if you're the praying kind, please keep me in yours. 💜
— Shannon Purser (@shannonpurser) April 11, 2017
This isn't the first time Purser has gotten very candid with her Twitter followers. Back in November, the 19-year-old actress opened up about her history with self-harm when she tweeted a photo of herself holding a razor blade.
WATCH: 'Stranger Things' Actress Shannon Purser Opens Up About Her Past Struggles With Self Harm
"I haven't self-harmed in years, but I kept this around, 'just in case.' I forgot it was there & now it's in the trash," she wrote, later adding, "Recovery is possible. Please don't give up on yourself."
Purser than later spoke with ET about her decision to share such a personal look into her painful past, explaining, "I'm so happy to be able to help other people by talking about my struggles."
WATCH: Stranger Things' Actor Joe Keery on Wanting Justice for Barb in Season 2
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