William Gao Biography: Age, Sister, Height, Net Worth, Girlfriend, Movies & TV Shows, Band

William Gao Hardy, professionally known as William Gao, is a British actor and musician whose breakthrough role as the fiercely protective Tao Xu in Netflix’s Heartstopper has propelled him into the spotlight as a thoughtful voice for young queer stories.

Blending dramatic intensity with indie musical flair, Gao co-founded the sibling duo Wasia Project alongside his sister Olivia Hardy, releasing the introspective EP How Can I Pretend? in 2022 and earning nods for tracks that weave vulnerability into pop melodies.

Profile

• Full Name: William Gao Hardy
• Stage Name: William Gao
• Born: 20, February 2003
• Age: 22 years old
• Birthplace: South Croydon, London, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Actor, Musician
• Height: 1.91m
• Parents: Mr. Hardy and Liping Hardy Gao
• Siblings: Olivia Hardy
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $500,000

Early Life and Education

William Gao Hardy was born on February 20, 2003, in South Croydon, London, England, to Mr. Hardy and Liping Hardy Gao.

Alongside his younger sister, Olivia Hardy, with whom he shares a deep creative bond, William grew up in a multicultural household that fueled his bilingual curiosity in Chinese and English.

He attended Trinity School in Croydon, excelling in music and drama while studying Chinese, and completed his A-Levels in those subjects in 2022.

From age 11, he trained in classical piano and sang with the Trinity Boys Choir, later joining the National Youth Theatre in May 2019, where productions like Shakespeare 400 sharpened his stage skills.

Of mixed English-Chinese ethnicity, Gao has kept his religious views private, focusing instead on the arts as his anchor.

Career

William Gao Hardy stepped into acting after spotting a casting call on his youth theatre’s site, landing his debut as Tao Xu in Heartstopper right amid A-Level exams in 2021.

The role, a skeptical yet loyal friend in the LGBTQ+ teen romance, premiered on Netflix in April 2022 and exploded into a global hit, topping charts in over 50 countries and earning Gao a Children’s and Family Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance.

His raw, empathetic portrayal resonated deeply, blending subtle humor with emotional heft, while early theatre gigs at Glyndebourne Opera and London Fashion Week modeling honed his on-camera poise before the series redefined his path.

Gao’s momentum carried into music and film, co-founding Wasia Project with sister Olivia in 2019; their debut single “Why Don’t U Love Me” dropped that year, evolving into the 2022 EP How Can I Represent?, a dreamy indie collection exploring identity and longing that garnered playlist spots on Spotify and Apple Music.

On screen, he tackled Edward Loi in the heartfelt drama Sunrise (2024), a coming-of-age tale of grief and growth, and geared up for Matt in the thriller Breakwater (2025), showcasing his range from tender vulnerability to tense introspection.

A 2024 feature in Laufey’s “Goddess” video added a whimsical layer, highlighting his vocal ease amid orchestral pop, while Heartstopper Season 3 deepened Tao’s arc with themes of friendship and self-discovery.

William Gao’s blend of acting and music forges a legacy of authentic representation, with Wasia Project’s live shows and upcoming tracks like potential EP follow-ups drawing indie crowds, and his film roles expanding Asian narratives in Western cinema.

Mentorship from Heartstopper’s ensemble and collaborations with artists like Laufey underscore his collaborative spirit, while his poised navigation of sudden fame inspires peers, leaving an imprint on stories that celebrate queer joy and cultural hybridity with unflinching honesty.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @will.gao_
• TikTok Handle: @will.gao_
• YouTube Handle: Wasia Project

Personal Life

William Gao Hardy maintains a private romantic life, with no confirmed partner, spouse, or children in the public eye, allowing his focus to stay on family and craft.

Single and often reserved about his personal relationships, he prefers to keep his romantic affairs out of the media spotlight, emphasizing his dedication to his career and family ties.

His focus remains on honing his talents and pursuing his passions, while maintaining a discreet separation from public romantic pursuits to protect his privacy and preserve his personal boundaries.

Filmography

• Heartstopper (2022–present)
• Sunrise (2024)
• Breakwater (2025)

Discography

• How Can I Pretend? (EP, 2022)

Net Worth

William Gao Hardy has an estimated net worth of $500,000, fueled by his rising acting fees from Heartstopper and films like Sunrise, alongside music streams and live gigs with Wasia Project.

Endorsements through social media and youth theatre ties add to his earnings, marking a promising start for the 22-year-old as he balances screen roles with indie releases in a burgeoning career.