Rachel Zegler, star of the Broadway adaptation of Romeo + Juliet, has addressed speculation about her relationship with co-star Kit Connor, known for his role as Nick Nelson in Netflix’s LGBTQ+ series Heartstopper.
The pair, currently portraying the iconic Shakespearean lovers, found themselves at the centre of romance rumours after Zegler shared a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday (December 29). The post, which included highlights from her 2024, featured photos of her and Connor. One image showed Zegler standing behind Connor as he snapped a mirror selfie, and another captured him carrying her playfully.
Captioned “moments of joy and dreams coming true. happy new year, all. be good to each other,” the post quickly went viral, amassing over 500,000 likes and countless comments.
However, one fan comment claiming Zegler was “obsessed” with Connor in “a romantic way” drew a swift response from the actress: “No! moving on.”
Many fans supported Zegler, emphasising the pair’s close friendship rather than a romantic connection. “I’m so tired of people saying you and Kit like each other romantically,” one user commented. “You guys just have a really good friendship!”
Kit Connor has previously spoken out about the dangers of fan speculation. In 2022, he felt pressured to come out as bisexual following accusations of “queerbaiting” after being photographed holding hands with co-star Maia Reficco from A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow.
“I’m bi. Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself,” Connor posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye.”
In a 2023 British Vogue interview, Connor reflected on the scrutiny he faces due to his fame. “You feel a bit watched… I’m still in my formative years, so things I wouldn’t want to be watched doing are,” he said. He also expressed frustration with fans tracking down his family on social media, saying, “They didn’t sign up for it.”
Romeo + Juliet, directed by Sam Gould, opened in October 2024 to critical acclaim and is set to run until February 2025. The production has been celebrated for its modern take on the classic tale, with Zegler and Connor receiving praise for their on-stage chemistry.
While the actors share a strong professional bond, Zegler’s response has made it clear that the connection is strictly platonic.
