You remember the moment. Dustin is desperate. The world is literally ending in a secret Russian underground base, and he needs the Plank's Constant to save everyone. He finally gets through on the radio, and instead of a quick data swap, we get a full-blown musical number. It was weird. It was polarizing. It was iconic. But honestly, most people walked away from Season 3 asking one specific thing: who played Suzie in Stranger Things and where on earth did she get those pipes?
That girl is Gabriella Pizzolo.
She wasn’t just some random child actor they plucked from a casting call for "nerdy girlfriend type." By the time she showed up on our screens in 2019, Pizzolo was already a Broadway powerhouse. If you felt like her singing was "too good" for a DIY radio setup in suburban Utah, you weren't wrong. She’s a professional.
The Broadway Pedigree of Suzie Bingham
Gabriella Pizzolo didn't just fall into the Duffer Brothers' laps. She was born in 2003 in Schenectady, New York, and basically conquered the stage before she was old enough to drive. Before she was Suzie-poo, she was Matilda. She played the lead in Matilda the Musical on Broadway, which is one of the most demanding roles for a kid in the history of theater. Think about that. You're ten years old, you're carrying a multi-million dollar production, and you're doing it several nights a week.
Then came Fun Home.
She took over the role of Small Alison. This wasn't just another show; it was a Tony-winning masterpiece. Working alongside legends like Michael Cerveris, she proved she had the emotional range to handle heavy, adult themes while still being, well, a kid. So, when the Stranger Things team needed someone who could hold her own against Gaten Matarazzo—who also happens to be a Broadway alum—Pizzolo was the only logical choice.
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They needed chemistry. They needed someone who wouldn't be overshadowed by Dustin’s massive personality. Pizzolo didn't just meet the mark; she stole the entire finale.
Why the NeverEnding Story Scene Almost Didn't Happen
There’s a lot of chatter about whether that musical break ruined the tension of the Season 3 finale. Some fans hated it. They thought, "People are dying, why are we singing?" But that’s the magic of the show, right? It’s that 80s cheese mixed with eldritch horror.
Interestingly, the Duffer Brothers toyed with different songs. At one point, they considered having them sing "The Ent and the Entwife" from The Lord of the Rings. Can you imagine? It would have been a totally different vibe. Ultimately, they settled on the theme from The NeverEnding Story, and Pizzolo’s crystal-clear soprano turned it into a viral sensation.
Gaten and Gabriella actually recorded the track together before filming. Because of the way the scene is edited—bouncing between the terror at Starcourt Mall and the bedroom in Utah—the timing had to be perfect. If you watch Pizzolo’s performance closely, her comedic timing is what sells it. The way she insists on the song before giving up the numbers is peak "long-distance relationship" drama.
Gabriella Pizzolo Beyond the Upside Down
If you think her career started and ended with Dustin Henderson, you've been missing out. Pizzolo has been busy. She’s part of a new generation of actors who move seamlessly between prestige TV and the stage.
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- Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin: She plays Angela Waters. It’s a much darker, grittier role than Suzie. It showed she wasn't afraid of the horror genre, even outside the Spielberg-ian vibes of Hawkins.
- Voice Acting: She’s lent her voice to projects like Butterbean’s Café.
- The Broadway Community: She remains a staple in the New York theater scene, often appearing in benefit concerts and workshops for new musicals.
She's not just "the girl who played Suzie in Stranger Things." She's a versatile performer who happens to be a massive fan of the show herself. In interviews, she’s mentioned how surreal it was to go from watching the show on her couch to being the catalyst for the Season 3 climax.
The Suzie Effect: How One Cameo Changed the Show
Suzie was a myth for most of Season 3. The other kids thought Dustin made her up. "Suzie from science camp" became a running gag, a stand-in for the "girlfriend in Canada" trope. By the time she actually appeared, the payoff had to be huge.
Pizzolo’s portrayal gave us a glimpse into the world outside of Hawkins. Her room was a treasure trove of 80s nerd culture. The posters, the books, the ham radio—it fleshed out the universe. It reminded us that while Eleven and Mike were fighting monsters, there were other "weird" kids out there just living their lives, blissfully unaware of the Mind Flayer.
She returned in Season 4, helping the "California crew" find Nina. Again, she provided the brains when the boys were stuck. Pizzolo plays Suzie with this infectious intelligence; she’s never the butt of the joke. She’s the smartest person in the room, and she knows it.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Casting
There’s a common misconception that she was cast because she was friends with Gaten Matarazzo. While it’s true they knew each other from the tight-knit world of Broadway kids, she had to audition like everyone else. The Duffers are notorious for their casting process. They don't just look for "good actors." They look for kids who are these characters.
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Pizzolo brought an authentic, slightly bossy, highly intellectual energy to Suzie that wasn't in the original script notes. She made Suzie a person, not just a plot device.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Gabriella Pizzolo's career or just obsessed with Stranger Things trivia, there are a few things to keep in mind about how she made such an impact with limited screen time.
Watch her Broadway roots. To truly appreciate her performance, look up clips of her in Fun Home. It explains why she has such a commanding presence on screen. She isn't just reciting lines; she's performing.
Follow the "Theatrical Path." Pizzolo is proof that theater training is often the best foundation for screen acting. Her breath control during the "NeverEnding Story" song, while maintaining a character's facial expressions, is a technical skill honed on stage.
Pay attention to the details. In Season 4, her character’s house is full of chaos and siblings. Pizzolo manages to stand out in that clutter. For actors, it’s a masterclass in how to hold focus without being "loud."
Gabriella Pizzolo took a character that could have been a one-off joke and turned her into a vital part of the show's lore. She isn't just a name in the credits; she's the reason the world didn't end in 1985.
To stay updated on her upcoming projects, keep an eye on New York theater casting announcements rather than just Hollywood trade papers. She’s likely to return to her roots on the stage between filming major television arcs. Also, if you’re re-watching the series, look for the subtle parallels between Suzie’s household and the chaotic energy of the Byers' home—it’s a clever bit of world-building that highlights why she and Dustin are such a perfect match.