Heartbreak High star Chloé Hayden on what it’s like being autistic and famous

When walking red carpets at big Sydney events, Chloé Hayden will have stim toys and earplugs in her handbag. Finally belonging in the entertainment industry still “feels like a dream”, she says.

Heartbreak High star Chloé Hayden ahead of the 2022 AACTA Awards, which she is presenting and also nominated for Best Actress. Picture: Richard Dobson/The Daily Telegraph

Breakout star Chloé Hayden still can’t quite believe she now counts her biggest Aussie idols among her peers.

The 25-year-old actor, neurodivergent advocate, and author shot to fame as Quinni in the Heartbreak High reboot just months ago.

From premiere parties, to winning the Rising Star Marie Claire award, to walking the ARIAs red carpet and hanging backstage with Peach PRC, she said: “I don’t think it would be possible for this not to feel like a dream, like make believe. It’s hectic.”

Chloé Hayden’s character Quinni has helped young Aussies understand what autism looks like. Picture: Richard Dobson/The Daily Telegraph.

An invite to Tim Minchin’s premiere of Matilda had her in “ugly tears”.

“His musical saved my life,” Hayden said. “He told me Quinni helped his daughter learn about herself. He’s my biggest idol in the entire world, so knowing I’ve been the tiniest sprinkle in their lives is mind-blowing.”

Hayden has a collection of 60 flower crowns, and almost every outfit she wears to events (including accessories) is gifted by her legion of 597,000 TikTok fans. Picture: Richard Dobson

“To be peers with these people whose posters I’ve had on my walls, is bizarre. But as a disabled person, having always looked at this industry thinking ‘I don’t belong here’, to now

being allowed to showcase myself in it, is surreal.”

The highlight of Hayden’s star-studded year, though, has been the many messages she’s received from fans who said they got their autism diagnosis because of her character.

“Not only are these young people going ‘I see myself’, but their parents and important people in their lives are getting it. Which is so incredible because I never had that.”

James Majoos (Darren), Ayesha Madon (Amerie), and Chloe Hayden (Quinni), in Sydney, ahead of the Heartbreak High premiere. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“Learning how to unmask and showcase myself has helped me do all of these things as an autistic person.” Picture: Richard Dobson/The Daily Telegraph

That is the value of representation both on and off camera, she added.

At big events, Hayden wears small Loop earplugs which reduce decibels of noise, and carries stimulation toys.

“I have extreme sensory needs, so there are a lot more things that come into play,” she said of her new-found fame.

“I have to take a lot more downtime. I’ll be the biggest, loudest version of myself, but when I get home, I probably won’t speak for a few days. I’ll hibernate.”

That involves horse riding, surfing, and playing with her siblings in Geelong, Victoria.

“I’m living in two different realities,” Hayden said.

On Wednesday, she’ll present at the 2022 AACTA Audience Choice Awards at The Hordern, alongside co-star James Majoos. “It’ll be nice to hold their hands,” she said, calling the cast her “family”.

“This is such a weirdly unique experience, so to be able to do it with a group of people is so comforting. Because they get it, they’re in the same boat.”