Hollywood heartthrob Dylan O’Brien is facing backlash not over a film role—but for comments he made about his own family. In a surprising turn of events, the Teen Wolf actor’s brother, Julz O’Brien, has publicly disputed Dylan’s recent claims about their relationship, sparking an emotional online debate about performative allyship and the misuse of LGBTQ+ narratives for publicity.
The Interview That Started It All
It all began when Dylan O’Brien gave an interview to Gay Times while promoting his latest indie film Ponyboi, a groundbreaking story about an intersex sex worker. In the feature, Dylan spoke warmly about the queer people in his life, giving special mention to his sibling, whom he referred to as “trans, nonbinary.”
“I’m super grateful for my trans, nonbinary sibling,” Dylan said, adding that knowing LGBTQ+ individuals, including his brother, had “deepened [his] experience in this world.”
On the surface, it appeared to be a touching tribute—one that many fans applauded. However, it didn’t take long for the narrative to unravel when Julz O’Brien, Dylan’s sibling, publicly responded with a very different version of events.
Julz Speaks Out: “We Haven’t Spoken in Over a Year”
Julz, who goes by @julzobrien on Instagram and uses he/they pronouns, took to the comment section of Gay Times’ official Instagram post promoting Dylan’s interview and dropped a bombshell.
“I’m actually trans masc, not nonbinary,” Julz wrote, correcting his brother’s description. But the most shocking part came next: “He hasn’t spoken to me in over a year. Not even for my birthday last month, not even when I had top surgery.”
Julz then added a biting, sarcastic remark that’s now gone viral:
“But glad I could deepen his experience in this world and make the world love him that much more ????.”
The comment left fans stunned and quickly spread across social media, igniting conversations around performative allyship and family estrangement.
The Fallout: Fans React to Allegations of “Performative Allyship”
Many online were quick to express disappointment in Dylan’s alleged behavior, especially considering the sensitive nature of using LGBTQ+ identity as a promotional talking point. While Dylan may have meant to express support, critics are saying that bringing up a sibling he hasn’t spoken to in over a year—especially without accurately representing their identity—feels more like an attempt to boost credibility in queer spaces than genuine advocacy.
A top comment on TikTok summed it up:
“Your queer family member isn’t a prop for your career. If you’re not showing up in private, don’t show off in public.”
Another popular tweet read:
“Julz is clearly hurt. Dylan owes him more than a name-drop in an interview.”
Context: Dylan’s Role in “Ponyboi” and Public Perception
O’Brien is currently doing press for Ponyboi, a deeply intimate and queer-centric film in which he plays a closeted New Jersey man who enters into a complex relationship with an intersex sex worker. The film, written by and starring intersex artist River Gallo, has been praised for its authenticity and for putting intersex narratives in the spotlight.
Given the film’s powerful subject matter, many are wondering if Dylan’s comments about his brother were timed to bolster his image as a strong LGBTQ+ ally—an issue that critics say crosses the line into exploitation if done insincerely.
The timing has made the situation even more contentious, as public trust around celebrity allyship is increasingly being scrutinized in today’s media landscape.
Julz O’Brien: An Advocate in His Own Right
It’s important to note that Julz O’Brien is not simply Dylan’s lesser-known sibling. He’s a public figure in his own right with a strong social media following and a history of advocating for trans visibility and LGBTQ+ mental health awareness.
Julz has often shared personal experiences related to gender identity, transition, and self-discovery, cultivating a supportive and authentic space online. That’s why this very public rift with his famous brother feels especially raw—and resonates deeply with fans who see it as a broader issue of familial neglect within the LGBTQ+ community.
Julz’s correction—emphasizing that he identifies as trans masc and not nonbinary—also underscores the importance of respecting personal identity, even within families. Misgendering, even unintentionally, can feel invalidating, particularly when done on public platforms.
The Silence from Dylan O’Brien’s Camp
As of now, Dylan O’Brien has yet to respond to Julz’s comment or issue a public clarification. Repeated inquiries from media outlets have gone unanswered, leaving fans and followers wondering if he’ll eventually speak out—or let the controversy fade without acknowledgment.
Some believe Dylan may have been unaware that his comments would cause such a reaction, while others think the silence suggests guilt or discomfort in facing public scrutiny.
Either way, the longer the silence continues, the more intense the speculation becomes.
The Bigger Picture: Celebrity Allyship Under a Microscope
This situation is part of a larger cultural conversation about what real allyship looks like in 2025. As more celebrities align themselves with causes like LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, or mental health advocacy, audiences are demanding more than sound bites—they want consistent, private support that matches public declarations.
When that alignment is off, the fallout can be swift and unforgiving.
Fans and activists are increasingly drawing the line between genuine advocacy and what’s now being called “clout-based allyship”—a term used to describe performative support that benefits the celebrity more than the cause.
As one fan on Instagram wrote:
“Allyship without accountability isn’t allyship—it’s branding.”
Conclusion: Public Words, Private Pain
While Dylan O’Brien’s original intention may have been to honor the queer people in his life, the reaction from his brother Julz has turned what seemed like a touching moment into a public reckoning. The allegations of estrangement, misrepresentation, and emotional neglect are now part of the conversation around Dylan’s image as an LGBTQ+ ally.
Whether Dylan addresses the controversy or not, the message from Julz is clear: Representation should not come at the expense of real relationships.
This story is still developing. Stay tuned for updates as more unfolds.
