You’ve probably seen him. Whether he was playing the wisecracking vampire Josh Rosza in The Originals or the haunted, amputee Coach Ben Scott in Yellowjackets, Steven Krueger has a way of making you care about his characters. But because he has played two of the most prominent gay characters on major television networks, the internet has been asking one specific question for years: is Steven Krueger gay in real life?
It's a fair question. Honestly, in an era where we talk a lot about "authentic casting," fans often wonder if an actor’s off-screen identity matches their on-screen persona.
But when it comes to Steven Krueger, the answer is pretty straightforward. He is not gay.
The Reality of Steven Krueger’s Personal Life
Despite the rumors that tend to follow actors who play LGBTQ+ roles convincingly, Steven Krueger’s actual romantic life has been very much in the public eye recently. And it’s a total crossover event for fans of the "Vampire Diaries" universe.
Krueger is currently engaged to Candice King.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she played Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries. The two actually met within that shared TV universe, though they didn't go public with their relationship until late 2023. They made things "Instagram official" with a New Year's Eve post that year, showing them sharing a kiss.
The couple took things a step further in May 2025. Krueger proposed to King in Nashville, and they shared the news with some gorgeous photos at a local cocktail bar.
💡 You might also like: Dale Mercer Net Worth: Why the RHONY Star is Richer Than You Think
Wait, it gets even bigger.
As of late 2025, the couple announced they are expecting their first child together. The baby is reportedly due in May 2026. Krueger has also been very open about stepping into the role of a stepfather to King’s two daughters from her previous marriage to Joe King. He’s mentioned in interviews that he wanted to make sure the kids were ready before he popped the question.
Basically, while he’s played gay icons on screen, his real life is centered around his fiancée and their growing family.
Why People Keep Asking: The Impact of Josh and Coach Ben
So, why does the search query is Steven Krueger gay keep trending? It really comes down to how good he is at his job.
The Breakout: Josh Rosza in The Originals
When Krueger first appeared as Josh in The Originals, he was only supposed to be there for a few episodes. He was the "token" vampire snack. But fans loved him. He became the show's moral compass and one half of a major romantic pairing with the werewolf Aiden.
Krueger has often said he took pride in Josh because his sexuality wasn't his only personality trait. He was a hacker, a loyal friend, and a survivor. He just happened to be gay.
📖 Related: Jaden Newman Leaked OnlyFans: What Most People Get Wrong
The Complexity: Coach Ben in Yellowjackets
Then came Yellowjackets. Playing Ben Scott was a totally different beast. Krueger had to portray a man in the 1990s who was deeply closeted, terrified that his career as a teacher and coach would end if anyone found out the truth.
The scenes where Ben hallucinates a "perfect" life with his boyfriend Paul back in New York were some of the most heartbreaking moments of the series. Krueger did a lot of research into what it was like to be a gay man in the mid-90s, especially in a professional setting. He wanted to capture that specific type of isolation.
When an actor plays these roles with such empathy and nuance, it’s a compliment to their skill that people assume the experiences are personal.
What Steven Has Said About "Playing Gay"
Krueger has been asked about his sexuality and his roles in several "open book" style interviews. He’s always been very respectful of the LGBTQ+ community.
He doesn't shy away from the fact that he's a straight man playing these parts. Instead, he focuses on the responsibility of doing it right. He told A Book Of that he looks for characters that are "real human beings" rather than "token queer characters."
"I think that we've gotten so kind of bogged down... being inclusive but almost being inclusive in an empty way... I always look for—is this character a real human being?"
👉 See also: The Fifth Wheel Kim Kardashian: What Really Happened with the Netflix Comedy
For him, it's about the craft. He’s treated the role of Coach Ben with the same intensity he’d bring to any other dramatic lead. That dedication is exactly why the audience feels such a strong connection to his characters’ identities.
The "Straight Actor" Debate
There is always a conversation about whether straight actors should take gay roles. It's a nuanced topic. Some feel those roles should be reserved for queer actors who have lived those experiences. Others, including some of Krueger’s own co-stars, have praised his performance for bringing visibility to the specific struggles of closeted men in the 90s.
Krueger seems to navigate this by being an ally off-screen. He’s involved in various charitable causes, though most of his public advocacy focuses on environmental issues like the Surfrider Foundation.
Summary of the Facts
If you're looking for the quick "TL;DR" on Steven Krueger's status, here it is:
- Relationship Status: Engaged to actress Candice King.
- Family: Expecting a baby in May 2026; stepfather to King’s two children.
- Sexual Orientation: Straight.
- Famous LGBTQ+ Roles: Josh Rosza (The Originals), Ben Scott (Yellowjackets).
The confusion usually stems from a mix of his convincing acting and the fact that he keeps a relatively low profile. He’s not a tabloid fixture. He doesn't post every single detail of his life on TikTok. He treats acting like a 9-to-5 job and spends his free time hiking mountains or playing competitive tennis.
Moving Forward with Steven Krueger
Now that you know the deal, you can look forward to his upcoming projects without the guesswork. With Yellowjackets Season 3 wrapping up his character's arc (and what an arc it was), Krueger is reportedly looking into directing and producing his own short films.
If you want to stay updated on his life, the best place is actually following Candice King’s social media, as she tends to share the "family" side of their journey more frequently than he does. You can also keep an eye on industry news for his directorial debut, which he's hinted is in the works for late 2026.
Check out his past interviews on platforms like Pride or Schön! if you want to hear more about his process for building characters. It’s pretty fascinating to see how a guy who almost went to law school became one of the most reliable dramatic actors on television today.