Joe Keery: relationships, Djo stage name, LGBTQ support

Few actors manage to build two distinct careers without one overshadowing the other. Joe Keery has done exactly that: while millions know him as Steve Harrington from Stranger Things, a growing audience follows his musical project Djo.

Born: April 24, 1992 ·
Known for: Steve Harrington in Stranger Things ·
Musical alias: Djo ·
Instagram followers: 2M+ ·
Net worth (estimated): $4–6 million

Seven key facts about Joe Keery, drawn from public records and verified sources:

How old is Joe Keery?

Joe Keery was born on April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts (Nylon (entertainment publication)). That makes him 33 years old as of early 2026. He stands 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) tall.

The implication: Keery achieved breakout fame at age 24 when Stranger Things premiered, giving him nearly a decade in the public eye.

Why is Joe called Djo?

Joe Keery performs his music under the stage name Djo. In an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, he explained that the name came about spontaneously: “I was uploading music to a distribution site and needed a name. I just wrote Djo — it’s a confusing spelling of my name, and it stuck” (The Graham Norton Show via YouTube).

Keery has said Djo is pronounced like “Joe,” and that the initials J.D. (for Joseph David) were rearranged into Djo (E! News (celebrity news outlet)). The name first appeared on his 2019 debut album Twenty Twenty and continued on 2022’s Decide (Nylon).

The pattern: Keery uses the Djo moniker to make it clear that the music stands apart from his Stranger Things fame, allowing audiences to judge the work on its own terms.

Does Joe Keery support LGBTQ?

Yes. Keery has taken concrete action in support of LGBTQ+ youth. During his 2025 Another Bite Tour as Djo, he donated $1 from every ticket sold to The Ally Coalition, a nonprofit founded by Jack Antonoff and Rachel Antonoff that works to support LGBTQ+ young people (The Ally Coalition official TikTok; Instinct Magazine (LGBTQ publication)).

Keery said of the initiative: “It helps create a safe space for people to be themselves” (Ally Coalition TikTok). PinkNews (LGBTQ news outlet) reported that the donation was part of a promotional push for his album The Crux. He has not publicly identified as LGBTQ, but his actions demonstrate allyship.

The trade-off: Keery’s personal identity remains private, but his public support is unambiguous and backed by verifiable donations.

Who in Stranger Things is LGBT?

Within the Stranger Things universe, the only canonically LGBTQ main character is Robin Buckley, played by Maya Hawke. Robin came out as a lesbian in Season 3. No male main characters are explicitly LGBTQ as of Season 4. Among the cast, Millie Bobby Brown has voiced support for LGBTQ representation but has not publicly identified as LGBTQ.

The pattern: Stranger Things has been praised for Robin’s storyline, but the show has also drawn criticism for not including more LGBTQ characters among the main ensemble. (Other actors like Dacre Montgomery and KJ Apa have also navigated dual careers.)

Does Joe Keery have a relationship?

Joe Keery keeps his personal life private. As of early 2026, no current relationship has been confirmed by Keery or his representatives. The details of any past partnerships are not publicly verified.

Who is Joe Keery’s ex-girlfriend?

No ex-girlfriends have been publicly confirmed. The “What’s unclear” section above notes that full relationship details remain unconfirmed.

What songs has Joe Keery recorded?

As Djo, Keery has released two studio albums: Twenty Twenty (2019) and Decide (2022) (Nylon). His single “End of Beginning” went viral on TikTok in 2024, significantly boosting his music profile (E! News (celebrity news outlet)). The song is from Decide and became a sleeper hit.

The implication: Keery’s music career is not a side project — the viral success shows genuine crossover potential beyond his acting audience.

For fans of both Stranger Things and indie rock, Joe Keery’s dual career offers a rare case of genuine artistic separation. His music as Djo is not a side project riding on TV fame — it has earned its own audience. His LGBTQ support goes beyond symbolic statements into actual funding for youth services. The challenge for Keery moving forward will be maintaining that balance as his music profile grows. For anyone following his career, the choice is clear: treat the actor and the musician as two distinct artists, and enjoy both.

For a comprehensive look at his career and personal life, check out Joe Keerys biography and relationships for verified details.

Frequently asked questions