Disney actor and singer-songwriter Joshua Bassett, known for his role in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, says he has embraced Christianity and believes Jesus is "the only way."
Bassett, 22, tweeted on Jan. 5 about his new faith and then followed that up with an Instagram story that provided more details.
"Jesus Christ is the only way," Bassett wrote in the Tweet. "His death and resurrection are historically documented. turn away form (sic) hate, seek forgiveness and come home to Him."
Jesus Christ is the only way.
— Joshua Bassett (@joshuatbassett) January 5, 2023
His death and resurrection are historically documented.
turn away form hate, seek forgiveness and come home to Him .
The Tweet has been viewed 10 million times and liked more than 34,000 times, according to public data on his feed.
Bassett portrays the character Ricky in the Disney Plus series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. In 2022 he voiced Nick Daley in Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again, also on Disney Plus. He was nominated for a Kids' Choice Award in 2021.
Bassett provided more details about his faith in an Instagram story, according to journalist Caleb Parke on his website, CalebParke.com.
"tonight at church i prayed to God, 'so i will know for certain that you are Jesus, and He is the only way, please send someone to touch my back, and i will shout it from the rooftops," Bassett wrote. "moments later, two people came up behind me, saying that God put in on their heart to put their hands on me and pray.
"His love is great, and my faith is certain," Bassett wrote. "praise be to God forever and ever in Jesus name."
The Disney actor added that a "few months ago," he "asked God to 'send me a sign when i write the truth.'"
Bassett wrote that when he typed "Jesus is the way," nothing happened, but when he added, "Jesus is the *only* way," "the light turned on in my living room."
"I have also first-hand encountered Jesus twice," he wrote.
"The experiences were richer and more vivid than anything in my entire life. I look forward to speaking about it soon. For those concerned about me, be sure of this: I'm better than I have ever been. The peace I feel is far beyond what I thought possible."
In December, Bassett opened up about his battle with depression, writing on Twitter that he was "struggling right now."
"please be good to yourselves and others, reach out to support those you love, and dont be afraid to ask for help," Bassett wrote on Twitter in December.
most people i know, including myself, are struggling right now. please be good to yourselves and others, reach out to support those you love, and dont be afraid to ask for help.
— Joshua Bassett (@joshuatbassett) December 25, 2022
Movie Guide reported that Bassett "is better known for being the alleged villain in Olivia Rodrigo's breakout single 'Driver's License' and subsequent album SOUR." It was a "role that has led to incessant harassment and death threats," Movie Guide reported.
Parke called it "encouraging" to hear "Bassett share that he's better than ever and is experiencing peace beyond what he thought was possible after giving his life to Jesus."
"I pray he continues to find hope and healing in Christ," Parke wrote.
Photo corutesy: ©Getty Images/Phillip Faraone/Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.