Stranger Things Star Gaten Matarazzo's Singing Ambitions Before Breakout Role

In 2025, Gaten Matarazzo, the actor who plays Dustin Henderson on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, has shared an intriguing revelation about his early ambitions. Prior to landing his breakout role, Matarazzo was eager to audition for the reality singing competition show The Voice, but was unable to do so because he was too young at the time.

"I remember when that show first came out, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, how do I get on?' when I was, like, 9," Matarazzo said in a recent interview. He had already been working on Broadway, so he likely would have been able to handle the demands of The Voice. When asked which song he would have auditioned with, Matarazzo revealed his top pick: the 1954 jazz standard "Fly Me to the Moon."

While Matarazzo acknowledged that the song may not have been the best choice for the show, his Stranger Things co-star and Voice coach Kelly Clarkson disagreed, stating that it would have showcased his "resonance" and "tone" well.

Fans of Matarazzo's angelic vocals have already had a chance to witness his singing prowess in the action-packed finale of Stranger Things season 3, where his character Dustin serenades his girlfriend Suzie with a heartfelt rendition of "The NeverEnding Story" theme song. This unforgettable moment was a testament to Matarazzo's Broadway-honed talent.

As the highly anticipated fifth and final season of Stranger Things approaches, set to premiere in November 2025, viewers can look forward to seeing what other surprises Matarazzo and the rest of the cast have in store.