Joshua Bassett: Age, Relationships, Health, Music Career

Full Name: Joshua Taylor Bassett ·
Born: December 22, 2000 (age 23) ·
Occupation: Actor, singer ·
Notable Role: Ricky Bowen in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series ·
Serious Illness: Sepsis and pneumonia (2021) ·
Sexuality: Bisexual / queer

Eight data points that define Joshua Bassett’s public profile:

Did Sabrina Carpenter and Joshua Bassett Date?

The short answer: yes. Multiple reports, including from Genius (music lyrics platform), confirm that Bassett and singer Sabrina Carpenter were romantically linked in 2020. Neither party confirmed the relationship explicitly, but song lyrics from both artists—especially Carpenter’s “Because I Liked a Boy”—pointed to a brief connection that attracted intense fan scrutiny.

Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo

• Bassett and Rodrigo were reported to be dating in early 2021 (Genius (music lyrics platform))
• Rodrigo’s global hit “Driver’s License” was widely interpreted as referencing this triangle
• Bassett’s own song “Lie Lie Lie” was rumored to be a response, though neither party confirmed (Genius (music lyrics platform))

The implication: Both dating stories sit in the public record, but the “triangle” label overstates what was likely a series of short connections. The real story is how quickly fan culture turned dating into drama.

What Illness Did Joshua Bassett Have?

In early 2021, Bassett was hospitalized with a life-threatening condition. The details, verified by Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), are stark: he suffered from sepsis complicated by pneumonia.

Sepsis and Pneumonia Diagnosis

• Bassett was admitted to intensive care in January 2021 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• Sepsis is a severe response to infection that can cause organ failure
• He later revealed that doctors told him he could have died (Disney/Lumiere (official studio bio))

Recovery and Aftermath

• Bassett was discharged after several weeks and made a full recovery (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
• He returned to work filming the third season of HSMTMTS later that year
• In 2022, he released music referencing the experience, including the EP Crisis / Secret / Set Me Free

The trade-off: Bassett turned a near-fatal illness into creative fuel, but the experience also forced him to mature publicly at an age when most young stars are still building their brand.

Is Joshua Bassett LGBTQ?

Yes. In 2021, Bassett publicly came out as bisexual. Subsequent interviews have clarified his identity further.

Coming Out as Bisexual

• Bassett shared his sexuality on social media in August 2021 (Broadway.com (theater news))
• He later specified in an interview with Gay Times that he identifies as queer (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))

Public Statements and Advocacy

• In 2022, he spoke about reconciling his Christian faith with his sexuality (IMDb (industry database))
• He has been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ youth and mental health awareness

The catch: Public coming-out stories for Hollywood actors still carry career implications. Bassett’s music and fan base have continued to grow, but his path underscores how much the industry has—and hasn’t—changed.

What Song Did Sabrina Carpenter Write About Joshua Bassett?

Sabrina Carpenter released “Because I Liked a Boy” in 2022, and the track clearly references her rumored relationship with Bassett.

Because I Liked a Boy

• Released on Carpenter’s album Emails I Can’t Send (2022)
• The opening lines: “Because I liked a boy, I lost all my friends” (Genius (music lyrics platform))
• Carpenter has confirmed the song addresses the backlash she faced after the rumored love triangle

Other Songs Referencing the Relationship

• Carpenter’s “Skinny Dipping” and “Read Your Mind” also contain themes tied to the same period
• Joshua Bassett’s “Do It Like That” is sometimes interpreted as a counterpart, though he has not confirmed

What this means: The lyrical back-and-forth turned private dating history into a public musical dialogue. For fans, it’s a soap opera with a soundtrack. For the artists, it’s a no-win situation—every song invites speculation, but remaining silent also invites narrative.

How Old Is Joshua Bassett? Age, Height, and Career

A quick biographical checklist for the basics.

Age and Birthdate

• Born December 22, 2000 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• Age: 23 (as of 2024)

Height and Physical Stats

• Height: 5’10” (178 cm) (IMDb (industry database))
• Weight: not publicly disclosed

Notable Movies and TV Shows

• High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019–2023) – lead role (Disney/Lumiere (official studio bio))
• Stuck in the Middle (recurring role, 2016–2018) (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
• Dirty John (2018) – played young Eric Bana (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
• Limbo (2015) – screen debut (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
• Guest roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Lethal Weapon, Game Shakers (Disney/Lumiere (official studio bio))

Music Discography

• Debut single: “Common Sense” (2020) (Disney/Lumiere (official studio bio))
• EPs: Joshua Bassett (2021), Sad Songs in a Hotel Room (2022), Crisis / Secret / Set Me Free (2022)
• Debut album: The Golden Years (2024) (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))

The pattern: Bassett’s early career is defined by one big Disney role, but his music output is already outpacing his acting credits. The question is whether he’ll sustain two careers or lean into one.

For a young actor and musician navigating fame, health crises, and identity decisions in the public eye, the through line is resilience. Bassett has turned personal hardships into artistic statements, and his fan base has followed. For anyone watching from the audience, the implication is clear: his story is still being written, and the next album or role could shift the narrative again.

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