Kit Connor casually took a stand for plus-size people, and TikTok is obsessed

When it comes to speaking up for marginalized groups, it’s often the smallest actions that can mean the most. So proved Heartstopper star Kit Connor, whose gentle checking of a castmate in a recently resurfaced clip is warming hearts across the internet.

On the first episode of Netflix’s official podcast for Season 3 of Heartstopper (hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Tia Kofi), Connor and his co-star Joe Locke were challenged to speed-draw portraits of one another. While drawing, Connor joked that his depiction of Locke might offend him. Then, when Locke revealed his portrait of Connor, he said that he’d added lines indicating a double chin to be offensive in return: “I only added those chin marks because you said I was going to be offended.”

Connor immediately challenged Locke, asking, “Why is that offensive?” To that, Locke simply chuckled and said, “Let’s not go there.” See the full exchange for yourself starting at around the 12:30 timestamp in the video below.

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The moment may have been over in a flash, but it meant a lot to viewers like Jordan Straus, a makeup artist and influencer on TikTok. 

“Do you understand how powerful and impactful it is to have literally the heartthrob of our time right now — literally Romeo, might I add — say something that stands up for and advocates for larger-bodied people? People who look like me?” Straus asked in a video that’s since garnered more than one million views.

“People existing in large bodies are so used to hearing derogatory comments about how they look, swallowing their pride, and letting it roll off their back, while everybody else just carries on as if nothing abnormal or offensive or rude or problematic was just said,” Straus explained. “Little comments like this, little acts like this, could heal an entire generation. We need more advocates in Hollywood, and Kit Connor, I love you down! Love you, love you, love you.”

@jordanstrausmua

a subtle yet powerful comment 🥹🥹 #kitconnor #joelocke #heartstopper #advocacy @Kit Connor

♬ QKThr – Aphex Twin

Straus’ comments section was in full agreement about the power of casually calling out fatphobia when we hear it.

“I’m 51 and that healed my soul a little,” wrote one commenter.

“We need more emotionally intelligent and kind men like him,” agreed another.

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To be clear, no one’s holding a grudge against Locke for his comment, least of all Straus or her commenters. Rather, folks appreciated Connor’s speed and care in pointing out where Locke may have unintentionally misspoke.

“This is such a healthy thing to do in a friendship and I wish people would do it more. You *should* want your friend to be better and do better,” wrote one commenter. “As a plus sized person this makes me feel so good.”

Straus herself even spoke to Locke’s perspective in a follow-up video. “Sometimes we have blind spots and we don’t realize that they’re wrong until the moment that we say them,” she reasoned.

@jordanstrausmua

Replying to @Marie joe locke is still an angel boy <3 #kitconnor #joelocke #heartstopper #advocacy

♬ original sound – Jordan Straus 🇵🇸

Anyone fiending for more of Connor can see him and Locke in Season 3 of Heartstopper, now streaming on Netflix. Check out the trailer below.

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