Edvin Ryding, known for his role in Young Royals, has taken to social media to request that people refrain from commenting on his physical appearance. The 20-year-old Swedish actor has garnered a dedicated fanbase through his portrayal of Prince Wilhelm in the popular LGBTQ+ series on Netflix. Ryding, alongside his on-screen love interest, Omar Rudberg, has gained fame since the show’s debut in 2021, amassing 2.4 million Instagram followers and nearly 500k on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Hello, i’d like to kindly ask you to stop making comments on my physical appearance. It’s making me uncomfortable. Thank you.
— Edvin Ryding (@RydingEdvin) October 30, 2023
Over the weekend, Ryding posted a series of images on Instagram, revealing his unexpected new moustache. While many fans expressed enthusiasm for his new look, some internet trolls left nasty and derogatory comments.
On Monday, Ryding addressed the negative and hurtful reactions in a post on X, writing, “Hello, I’d like to kindly ask you to stop making comments on my physical appearance. It’s making me uncomfortable. Thank you.”
Support for Ryding poured in on social media, with fans encouraging him to ignore the negativity and prioritize his happiness and well-being. Some commended him for speaking up for himself, recognizing the importance of young men using their voices to express their feelings and boundaries.
One person on X emphasized that making derogatory comments about someone’s appearance is a hurtful act that reveals more about the person making the comments than the target.
In an exclusive interview with PinkNews last year, Ryding highlighted the importance of representing normal teen bodies on mainstream TV. He noted that people approached him on the street, expressing how they felt seen by the way the show portrayed humanity, embracing diversity in appearance and body size.
Young Royals creator Lisa Ambjorn shared Ryding’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of casting actors who look like ordinary people. This approach aims to make the characters more relatable to the audience and create a sense of believability.
Young Royals is available for streaming on Netflix, and while the release date for the third season has not been announced, a chemistry-filled teaser has been unveiled.
