Summary:
- Maya Hawke discusses fan theories about Riley’s potential queer storyline in Inside Out 2, emphasizing the powerful relationships young women have.
- She acknowledges these interpretations as valid and highlights the film’s universal themes of identity and emotional growth.
Minor spoilers for Inside Out 2 are ahead. If you haven’t seen the sequel on the 2024 movie schedule, you can catch it in theaters now.
Maya Hawke Addresses Riley’s Sexuality in Inside Out 2
When trailers for Inside Out 2 were released, speculation arose about Riley’s sexuality, as it seemed she might have a crush on one of the girls on her hockey team. Maya Hawke, who voices Anxiety in the film, recently shared her thoughts on the discourse surrounding Riley and the possibility of a queer storyline.
Riley’s Journey in Inside Out 2
Inside Out 2 focuses on Riley’s journey to join a hockey team, making new friends, and maintaining relationships as she transitions to a new school. Her relationship with Val, an older team member, sparked discussions about Riley’s sexuality. During an interview on Sirius XM, Maya Hawke offered a thoughtful perspective on the topic:
“I think whether or not you are straight or queer or bi, as a young woman, and I think this could be true for young men as well if they weren’t so socialized to be afraid to touch each other and interact with each other, but as a young woman, your relationships with other young women are so powerful.”
She added, “The love, the admiration, the jealousy, but in combination with wanting to be near the person that you’re jealous of, like it is so powerful. They are often the greatest heartbreaks of our life when those relationships go badly. They are often the most intense cry in your closet, ‘I want this person to like me,’ loves that you ever have in your life, no matter what your sexuality is.”
The Significance of Envy in Riley’s Story
Hawke addressed the theories circulating on TikTok and other platforms about Riley possibly being queer, and how her character Anxiety interacts with Ayo Edebiri’s Envy. She explained:
“It’s where we build our identity. You know, I think that that’s also why Envy is so important in this story is because as you transition into high school, you are trying to build your identity, and so you are looking around at other people and going, ‘Oh, I want to be like that.”
“Oh, I want to be like that. Oh, yes. Oh, that would be, if I could be that, then that would be better.’ Right? You know, and so I think that seeing that in Riley I think is amazing and great and should be seen.”
Inside Out 2: A Universal Story of Emotions
Critics have praised Inside Out 2 for its relatable portrayal of emotions like anxiety, fear, envy, joy, and anger. Our review gave the movie 4.5 stars, noting its ability to resonate with audiences. Hawke understands why fans might see Riley as queer and acknowledged that these interpretations are “totally appropriate”:
“And I think that also, if you were to see something else in her, that’s also totally appropriate because as young women, I think the way we, I’m repeating myself again. I just was gonna say my first point again.”
Future Possibilities for Riley’s Character
While Riley’s sexuality is not confirmed or denied in Inside Out 2, the film focuses on her journey to discover her true self. It’s possible that future installments could explore her identity further. For now, Riley’s story emphasizes the powerful relationships young women have, regardless of their sexuality.
Inside Out 2 is currently in theaters. To revisit Riley’s earlier journey, you can stream the original Inside Out on Disney+.
