William Gao is an English actor and musician, born on February 20, 2003, in South Croydon. He is best known for playing Tao Xu in the Netflix series Heartstopper and for his indie-pop band Wasia Project.
Who is William Gao?
William Gao is an English actor and musician, best known for playing Tao Xu in Netflix’s Heartstopper. His performance earned him a nomination for the Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance.
Beyond acting, Gao makes up one half of the indie-pop duo Wasia Project alongside his younger sister, Olivia Hardy. Their song “ur so pretty” appeared on the official Heartstopper soundtrack and went on to gather millions of streams.
Gao has also branched into film, appearing in Sunrise and Breakwater, and continues to release new music with his sister.
Early Life of William Gao
William Gao was born on February 20, 2003, in South Croydon, England. His father is English, while his mother, Liping, is Chinese and emigrated to England in her twenties.
He has a younger sister, Olivia Hardy, who later became his musical partner in Wasia Project. Gao took up classical piano at age 11 and sang as a member of Trinity Boys Choir during his school years.
He joined the National Youth Theatre in May 2019. A casting call posted on the theatre’s website led him to audition for Heartstopper, ultimately landing him the role of Tao Xu.
William Gao Age
William Gao is 23 years old as of 2026, born on February 20, 2003. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
He continues to balance acting work with Wasia Project, whose debut album is set for release later this year.
William Gao Ethnicity and Nationality
William Gao is English, born and raised in South Croydon. He is of mixed British and Chinese heritage, with an English father and a Chinese mother.
He has spoken about drawing on his mixed-race background in his music with Wasia Project, which explores identity alongside themes of youth and connection.
William Gao Height and Weight
William Gao stands at approximately 6 feet 3 inches, or 1.90 meters. His exact weight is not publicly confirmed.
His tall frame and calm screen presence have become part of his recognizable look as Tao Xu on Heartstopper.
William Gao Musical Style and Influences
Wasia Project blends indie pop with jazz and classical influences, shaped by Gao’s background as a classically trained pianist. The duo’s sound has evolved from lo-fi, DIY bedroom pop recordings toward more polished, layered arrangements on later releases.
Gao has cited musician Jacob Collier as one of his biggest influences. He also draws on his acting instincts, naming Timothée Chalamet and Riz Ahmed among performers he admires.
William Gao Education
William Gao attended Trinity School in Croydon, where he completed A Levels in Chinese, music, and drama in 2022. He also sang with Trinity Boys Choir during his time there.
Alongside his schooling, Gao trained in classical piano from age 11, a foundation that later shaped his songwriting in Wasia Project.
William Gao Career
Early Career
Gao’s performing career began in theatre. He appeared in Shakespeare 400 at the Royal Festival Hall and in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Glyndebourne, gaining early stage experience before moving into television.
He joined the National Youth Theatre in May 2019, which led him to the open casting call for Heartstopper.
Breakthrough Role
In April 2022, Netflix released Heartstopper, and Gao’s portrayal of Tao Xu introduced him to a global audience. His performance later earned a nomination for the Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance.
That same year, he and his sister released their debut EP, How Can I Pretend?, under Wasia Project. The project blended their classical training with jazz-inflected pop songwriting.
Recent Work
Wasia Project released their second EP, Isotope, in August 2024, followed by a headlining tour across North America and Europe. Their debut album, Nocturne, is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026.
On screen, Gao appeared in the 2024 drama Sunrise, directed by Andrew Baird, and the 2025 thriller Breakwater, directed by Max Morgan. He also appeared in Celine Song’s 2024 music video for the song “Goddess.”
William Gao Discography
William Gao has released the following projects with Wasia Project.
- Why Don’t U Love Me, single, 2019
- How Can I Pretend?, EP, 2022
- Isotope, EP, 2024
- Nocturne, studio album, 2026
William Gao Awards and Recognition
Gao received a nomination for the Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance for his role as Tao Xu on Heartstopper. Wasia Project was also named one of Amazon Music’s Ones to Watch in 2024.
Their song “ur so pretty” gained wide recognition after its feature in Heartstopper’s second season, appearing on the show’s official soundtrack playlist.
William Gao Tours and Concerts
Wasia Project embarked on a headlining tour in support of their Isotope EP, beginning on September 18, 2024, in Hamburg and concluding on November 19, 2024, in Birmingham. The tour spanned venues across North America and Europe.
The band performs alongside a live backing group that includes a drummer, bassist, saxophonist, and trombonist.
William Gao Net Worth
William Gao’s estimated net worth is $500,000 as of 2026. His income comes mainly from his acting work on Heartstopper and film projects, along with music streaming and touring income from Wasia Project.
William Gao Social Media
William Gao is active on Instagram under the handle @will.gao_, where he shares updates on his acting and music projects. Wasia Project also maintains a separate Instagram account, @wasiaproject, dedicated to the band’s music and tour updates.
The duo runs a YouTube channel featuring official music videos and live performances.
The Bottom Line
William Gao broke through in 2022 playing Tao Xu on Netflix’s Heartstopper, a role that earned him a Children’s and Family Emmy Award nomination. He and his sister Olivia Hardy have since built Wasia Project into a touring act, with their debut album Nocturne set for release in September 2026.
He grew up in a mixed British-Chinese household in South Croydon, training as a classical pianist from age 11 before joining the National Youth Theatre as a teenager. Gao has said he draws on that mixed heritage in his songwriting with his sister.
Gao continues to balance acting and music, following recent film roles in Sunrise and Breakwater. We hope you enjoyed reading about William Gao. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!