The fifth and final season of Stranger Things was packed with plenty of explosions, action, tears, and nostalgia. With the nerds finally saving the world, the story concluded on a bittersweet note with all the characters coming together one last time for a graduation ceremony on a bright day in Hawkins.

From minor to important characters, familiar faces returned to make a final appearance, including Stacey Albright. Fans who know the series inside and out will remember her, but do you know the actress who played the character?

The graduation ceremony, where Dustin makes a powerful speech, becomes an emotional moment not only for the characters but also for fans who have followed the show from the very beginning. After this moment, Dustin is seen talking to his friends Mike, Lucas, and Will, when he is invited to a party by Stacey. Many fans may have recognized the actress playing Stacey as Sydney Bullock.

Born in 2004, Sydney Bullock is an actress who has appeared in several films and television shows, including Goosebumps and Haunted Halloween, among others.   

In Stranger Things, she played the character of Stacey and appeared in just one scene in the episode, The Rightside Up. In that scene, Dustin turns down her invitation and instead chooses to join his friends for a game of Dungeons & Dragons at Mike’s house. And as with almost every scene in Stranger Things, this moment also carries a deeper meaning.   

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To fully understand it, viewers and fans need to look back at earlier seasons, where Stacey appeared briefly, and consider what Dustin’s rejection truly means.

Stacey's character first appeared in Season 2 of Stranger Things in the episode titled The Gate. In this episode, Eleven, Mike, Lucas, and Max were seen dancing together, while Dustin approached Stacey and asked her to dance, only to be rejected. Upset by the rejection, Dustin sits alone until Nancy asks him to dance, which makes him feel seen and accepted.

Because of this history, Dustin's rejection of Stacey’s party invitation later becomes an important moment and a turning point for Stacey’s character as well in the finale episode. While Sydney Bullock previously played a mean-girl character, her performance in Stranger Things was impressive and important in the last episode. 

Did you notice the actress and recognize her from the other films and shows she has appeared in? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.