Dylan O’Brien has spent years being the internet’s collective "best friend." Between his chaotic energy as Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf and his leading-man grit in The Maze Runner, he’s always felt like that guy you’d grab a burger with. But lately, the spotlight hasn’t just been on his movie roles or his drumming skills. People are digging into his personal life, specifically the Dylan O'Brien siblings dynamic that took a sharp, public turn in 2024 and 2025.
If you grew up watching his YouTube sketches on "moviekidd826," you might remember a girl appearing in his videos. That was his sister. For the longest time, the world knew her as Julia. However, things have changed significantly since those early days in New Jersey and California.
The Sibling Most Fans Remember: Julia O’Brien
Growing up in Springfield, New Jersey, before moving to Hermosa Beach at age twelve, Dylan was tight with his family. His parents, Lisa and Patrick, were already in "the biz"—acting and cinematography—so it wasn't weird that Dylan and his sister were constantly messin' around with cameras.
Dylan has actually credited his sister for being his very first "co-star." Back when he was a bored teenager in Hermosa Beach with no friends yet, he’d force her to be in his short films. It was just two kids killing time. For years, the narrative was simple: Dylan has an older sister named Julia, they’re close, and she stays out of the Hollywood limelight.
The 2025 Bombshell: Who is Julz O'Brien?
Things got complicated recently. In early 2024, while promoting his film Ponyboi—a movie that dives deep into gender-nonconforming themes—Dylan gave an interview to Vulture. He spoke movingly about how having queer people in his life "deepens his experience in this world." He specifically mentioned having a "trans, nonbinary sibling."
At first, fans were like, "Wow, what a supportive king." But then May 2025 rolled around.
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A person named Julz O’Brien, Dylan’s sibling, took to the comments section of a Gay Times Instagram post to set the record straight. And honestly? It wasn't the "happy family" vibe everyone expected. Julz clarified two big things:
- They identify as transmasculine, not nonbinary (the term Dylan used in the interview).
- They haven't actually spoken to Dylan in over a year.
It was a total "record scratch" moment for the fandom.
"He didn't check in when I had top surgery. He didn't even wish me happy bday last week! But glad I could deepen his experience in this world and make the world love him that much more." — Julz O’Brien via Instagram (May 2025)
Why the "Dylan O'Brien Siblings" Topic is Trending
The reason this is blowing up isn't just because of the "tea." It’s about the disconnect between a public persona and private reality. People are fascinated by the fact that Dylan, who is widely seen as one of the most "woke" and supportive actors in the industry, might be estranged from the very person he's using as a reference for his allyship.
Julz’s comments suggested a level of frustration that many siblings feel when one becomes a massive superstar. It’s that feeling of being a "prop" for a PR narrative while the actual relationship is, well, kind of a mess.
Fact vs. Fiction: What We Actually Know
It’s easy to get lost in the TikTok drama, so let’s stick to what’s confirmed:
- Number of Siblings: Dylan has one sibling.
- The Name: Formerly known as Julia, they now go by Julz (or Jules).
- The Identity: Julz has publicly stated they are transmasculine and use he/they pronouns.
- The Status: As of mid-2025, Julz claims they are estranged from Dylan.
Growing Up in the O'Brien Household
To understand the friction, you kinda have to look at their roots. The O'Brien family is a mix of Irish, Italian, English, and Spanish heritage. They moved across the country when Dylan was twelve, which is a tough age for any kid. Dylan has often talked about how that move made him retreat into his own world of filmmaking.
Julz was right there for all of it. In older social media posts—some as recent as 2023—Julz called Dylan their "very first best friend." There were photos of them together, birthday wishes, and genuine-looking affection. Whatever happened to cause the "over a year" of silence Julz mentioned seems to have happened relatively recently.
The Complexity of Celebrity Allyship
This situation puts Dylan in a tough spot. On one hand, he’s clearly trying to use his platform to support the LGBTQ+ community. On the other, his sibling is calling him out for not showing up when it mattered—like during a major surgery or a birthday.
It’s a reminder that celebrities are human. They have family feuds. They say the wrong things. They get busy and forget to call. But when you’re Dylan O’Brien, your "forgetting to call" becomes a headline.
What This Means for Fans
If you’re looking for a neat, "happily ever after" story about the Dylan O'Brien siblings, you won't find it right now. The reality is messy. It involves a brother who is trying to be a public ally and a sibling who feels neglected in the shadows of that fame.
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Julz is an artist and an individual outside of Dylan’s shadow. They’ve been vocal about their transition and their journey, independent of their famous brother. Whether they patch things up remains to be seen, but for now, the "sibling" narrative is a lot more complex than just "Dylan has a sister."
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Story
- Check the Source: When you see "Julia O'Brien" in old articles, know that this information is outdated. Respect the name and identity Julz has claimed.
- Look for Nuance: Don't immediately "cancel" Dylan or attack Julz. Family dynamics, especially involving transition and fame, are incredibly layered.
- Stay Updated: Follow reliable entertainment news outlets like E! News or Complex, which have tracked the specific comments made by Julz in 2025.
If you’re researching the O’Brien family for a project or just because you’re a fan, keep in mind that "sibling" isn't a static role. It evolves. Right now, the O’Brien story is one of transition—both in terms of gender identity and the relationship itself.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to support Julz O'Brien's individual work, you can look for their social media presence where they share their own journey and art, separate from the Hollywood circus. Also, keep an eye on Dylan’s future interviews to see if he addresses the estrangement or clarifies his previous comments. To get the most accurate picture, always look for direct quotes rather than fan theories on X or Reddit.