In an era where social media amplifies both admiration and negativity, Edvin Ryding, the 20-year-old Swedish actor known for his role as closeted Prince Wilhelm in Netflix’s hit LGBTQ+ series “Young Royals,” has called on people to cease making derogatory comments about his physical appearance. Ryding, who has gained immense popularity since the series’ debut in 2021, recently posted images on Instagram featuring a new surprise addition to his look – a moustache. While many fans expressed their enthusiasm for his fresh appearance, others used this opportunity to engage in hurtful trolling.
Since the inception of “Young Royals,” Ryding has amassed 2.4 million Instagram followers and nearly 500k followers on X (formerly known as Twitter). However, with fame comes scrutiny, and on October 28, Ryding faced a barrage of negative remarks from internet trolls in response to his updated look.
In response to the vitriolic backlash, Ryding took to X on October 30 to address the situation directly. He wrote, “Hello, I’d like to kindly ask you to stop making comments on my physical appearance. It’s making me uncomfortable. Thank you.” This move prompted an outpouring of support from fans across social media platforms, with many urging him to prioritize his happiness and well-being over hurtful comments.
Ryding’s stance against online body shaming resonates with his commitment to portraying normal teen bodies on mainstream TV. In an exclusive interview with PinkNews last year, he emphasized the importance of making young people feel seen and accepted regardless of their appearance. This message aligns with the show’s creator, Lisa Ambjorn, who made it an integral part of the casting process, aiming to depict characters who resemble real, relatable individuals.
While fans eagerly await the third and final season of “Young Royals” in 2024, Edvin Ryding’s response to online trolls serves as a reminder of the need for kindness and respect in digital spaces. In a world where appearances can be scrutinized and criticized, his message of self-acceptance and positivity shines through, encouraging everyone to embrace their uniqueness.
Young Royals seasons one and two are currently streaming on Netflix, with a highly anticipated season three teaser recently released.