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5 Key Facts About Drew Starkey’s Sexuality And Relationship Status After His Role In ‘Queer’

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The question of "Is Drew Starkey gay?" has surged in popularity, especially following his critically acclaimed and intimate role in the 2024 film Queer. As of December 19, 2025, the actor, best known for playing the villainous Rafe Cameron in Netflix's Outer Banks, has maintained a high degree of privacy regarding his personal life and self-identified sexuality, leading to intense fan speculation and curiosity across social media platforms.

While Drew Starkey has not made an official public statement confirming his sexual orientation, the context of his recent career choices and comments about his on-screen roles provide the clearest available insight into his private life. This deep dive explores his biography, his current relationship status, and the professional context that has fueled the persistent rumors.

Drew Starkey: Full Biography and Filmography Profile

Joseph Andrew Starkey, known professionally as Drew Starkey, has rapidly become one of Hollywood's most intriguing young actors, balancing breakout roles in mainstream teen dramas with challenging, high-art cinema projects.

  • Full Name: Joseph Andrew Starkey
  • Date of Birth: November 4, 1993
  • Age (as of 2025): 32 years old
  • Birthplace: Hickory, North Carolina, U.S.
  • Family: He is the eldest child of Todd Starkey, a successful women's basketball coach.
  • Education: Attended Western Carolina University.
  • Breakout Role: Rafe Cameron in the Netflix series Outer Banks (2020–present).
  • Notable Film Roles:
    • Love, Simon (2018) as Garrett Laughlin
    • The Hate U Give (2018) as Shane
    • The Devil All the Time (2020) as Tommy Matson
    • Queer (2024) as Eugene (opposite Daniel Craig)
  • Key Collaborators (Entities): Daniel Craig, Luca Guadagnino, Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, Jonathan Daviss, Madison Bailey.

The Truth Behind the 'Is Drew Starkey Gay' Speculation

The persistent question about Drew Starkey's sexuality stems from two primary sources: his incredible chemistry with co-stars and his recent, high-profile role as a gay character in a major film.

1. The Context of His Role in Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Queer’

The most significant factor driving the speculation is his starring role as Eugene in Luca Guadagnino’s film adaptation of William S. Burroughs' 1985 novella, Queer.

  • In the film, Starkey plays a young, explicitly gay American ex-Navy man who engages in intimate and often nude scenes with Daniel Craig’s character, Lee.
  • During the film's press tour at events like the Venice Film Festival and the New York Film Festival, both Starkey and Craig addressed the topic of straight actors playing gay roles.
  • This context, where the actors were discussing the nuances of their performances as straight men taking on queer roles, strongly suggests that Drew Starkey identifies as straight (heterosexual).
  • Starkey noted that making the film taught him "how much has changed and how much hasn't" regarding the subject of gay relationships, indicating a learning process from a position outside the community.

2. Drew Starkey’s Stance on Privacy and Sexuality

Unlike many of his peers, Drew Starkey has consistently chosen to keep the details of his romantic life and sexual orientation private.

  • He has never made a public statement to confirm or deny his sexuality.
  • His public comments have focused on the importance of sexuality and eroticism in cinema, rather than his personal life. He has stated that he is "glad sexuality is coming back to the theatres" and that it is "imperative we integrate sexuality into our stories."
  • This preference for privacy means that any definitive answer about his self-identified sexuality remains unconfirmed by the actor himself.

Drew Starkey’s Current Relationship Status: Is He Dating Anyone?

While the actor keeps his romantic life under wraps, the most consistent and long-standing rumors center on a relationship with a fellow actress.

The Odessa A'zion Rumors (Entity: Odessa A'zion)

For several years, speculation has linked Drew Starkey to actress Odessa A'zion, known for her roles in Grand Army and Hellraiser.

  • The two have been spotted together in public on multiple occasions, fueling the dating rumors.
  • However, neither Starkey nor A'zion has ever officially confirmed their relationship status, choosing to remain "coy" about the nature of their bond.
  • As of late 2025, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Starkey is in a committed relationship with anyone, keeping the fan-favorite heartthrob officially an "Internet Boyfriend" whose status is still single in the public eye.

The ‘Outer Banks’ Co-Star Chemistry

The intensity of his performance as Rafe Cameron on Outer Banks, particularly his on-screen dynamic with other cast members like Madelyn Cline (Sarah Cameron) and Madison Bailey (Kiara Carrera), also contributes to fan interest in his real-life relationships.

  • The lines between the fictional Kooks and Pogues drama and the actors' real lives often blur for fans, leading to speculation about cast members dating each other.
  • However, Starkey has kept his professional and personal lives separate, avoiding the public co-star romance trend seen by some of his castmates.

The Final Verdict on Drew Starkey’s Sexuality

To directly answer the question, Drew Starkey has not publicly confirmed that he is gay.

All available evidence, including the discussions surrounding his performance in the gay-themed film Queer where he is referred to as a straight actor playing a gay role, points to him identifying as heterosexual.

Ultimately, the actor prefers to keep his personal life and sexual orientation private, choosing to let his work, from the troubled Rafe Cameron to the complex Eugene, speak for itself. Fans should respect his privacy and focus on his remarkable transformation from teen villain to serious dramatic actor, an evolution that showcases his commitment to his craft, regardless of the characters' or his own personal sexuality.

The conversation around Starkey's sexuality highlights a broader cultural shift where actors are increasingly taking on roles that challenge their personal identity, leading to a deeper exploration of themes like love, intimacy, and sexual identity in modern cinema. His work with acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino and co-star Daniel Craig has cemented his status as a versatile talent, transcending the labels often imposed by Hollywood and social media.

is drew starkey gay
is drew starkey gay

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