Troye Sivan began his start in music by gaining popularity as a singer-songwriter on YouTube + in Australian talent competitions. Sivan was born on June 5, 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sivan came out publicly as gay via a YouTube video in August 2013, three years after coming out to his family. He stated that he wanted the video to be out because he did not want his sexuality to be a secret from EMI Australia as he was in negotiations with them at the time for a record deal + had not yet discussed his sexuality with them. The morning after he posted his coming out video, he received a congratulatory email from EMI.
Sivan released his third EP, TRXYE (2014), which peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200. Its lead single, "Happy Little Pill", reached the top 10 on Australian music charts. In 2015, he released his fourth extended play, Wild, followed by his debut studio album, Blue Neighbourhood. The album's lead single, "Youth", became Sivan's first single to enter the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 23. In May 2017, Troye collaborated with Martin Garrix to produce the song "There For You".
In 2018, he released his song "Strawberries & Cigarettes" from the Love, Simon soundtrack + in addition accompanied Taylor Swift as a guest performer at a concert in Pasadena, California during her Reputation Stadium Tour.
His second studio album, Bloom (2018), reached the top five in Australia + the US. Its lead single, "My My My!", became Sivan's second number-one single on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. In October 2018, Sivan collaborated with British singer-songwriter Charli XCX on the single "1999". A sequel collaboration, titled "2099", was debuted in June 2019 at the two artists' LA Pride event "Go West Fest" + released as a promotional single from Charli XCX's album Charli in September 2019.
In 2020, his EP In a Dream was released. In 2023, he released his third album, Something to Give Each Other. The album's three singles, "Rush", "Got Me Started" + "One of Your Girls", all reached the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart + the ARIA Singles Chart, while both "Rush" and "One of Your Girls" charted on the Billboard Hot 100. For the track "Rush", Sivan received his first Grammy Award nominations, one for Best Pop Dance Recording + another for Best Music Video. The album's fourth single, "Honey", was released in May 2024.
As an actor, Sivan portrayed the younger Wolverine in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) + starred as the titular character in the Spud film trilogy (2010–2014). In 2017, he became the youngest recipient of the GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award. In 2018, he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for "Revelation", from the film Boy Erased, in which he also had a supporting acting role. He has since starred in the film Three Months (2022) and the HBO series The Idol (2023).
I had the pleasure of catching up with the uber busy TROYE SIVAN mid-flight + between shows + a special appearance in Austin at SXSW. Learn more about Troye with my chat with him below!
Hey there Troye! Where does our interview find you today? What’s on the agenda today besides our interview?
Hiiiii Nicole! I’m actually on a flight right now from Miami to Dallas – have a couple of shows in Texas this week and I’m playing a couple shows at SXSW, too, which’ll be rad!
Between 2012 and 2015 you went from 27,000 YouTube subscribers to over 3.6 million (and counting)… that is pretty impressive! Does that weigh on your mind when you’re thinking of what to present on that platform?
Thank you! I think it does to a certain extent – most of that pressure is self inflicted, though. I just really want to use that platform for good and to put up stuff that I’m proud of.
Your first single, “Happy Little Pill”, debuted at number one on iTunes in over 55 countries! Then, your EP: TRXYE debuted Top 5 a week later. How did that make you feel?
“It was all pretty mind-blowing at the time – I had no idea how the music was going to be received, and to feel that immediate love and support was so lovely and unexpected.”
In 2014, Time named you one of the year’s “25 Most Influential Teens” … all this attention, how do you handle it? What keeps you grounded?
Being a part of that list was so unbelievably humbling. I like to go home and spend time with my family and friends which never fails to put things in perspective and remind me of the important things in life!
You’re quite the entertainer on stage and in film, not to mention your recording career. Which area are you most passionate about?
I’d say music is really where my heart is at the moment – performing live, and songwriting have really stolen my heart over the last few years.
In 2013, you publicly came out. This was three years after you came out to your family. What was the pivotal moment that made you decide “this is the time to make the public announcement”?
“It got to the point where it was all I could think about – I was proud of who I was, open to my family and friends, and felt like me sharing my story and identity could potentially help others. And it just so happened that my coming out anniversary was around the corner, and it felt a little serendipitous to do it that day.”
Who have been your inspirations growing up that also inspire you today?
Amy Winehouse inspired me to write songs, Michael Jackson introduced me to music, Lorde showed me it was actually possible!
Nowadays, everything is so instant…you push a button and it’s yours a la Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes etc. What was the first album you saved up your money as a kid and bought for yourself?
I saved up to buy Elephunk by the Black Eyed Peas when I was like 10. Still a great album!
What was the first song you fell in love with (that you can remember) and why?
First song I can really remember is “Like A Prayer” by Madonna. I loved the gospel choir and the drama of it all.
What’s on tap next for you, Troye? What are you most excited about for this year?
Immediately, loads of touring – I’m just about to finish up the North American leg, take a couple of weeks off to write some songs and hang out, and then I’m heading to Europe.
Plus, I’m so stoked with how YOUTH is doing in the US. A lot of exciting stuff in the pipeline for the next couple of months!
Keep up to date with all things TROYE SIVAN via his socials below:
This interview was in partnership with All Access Music Group, Malibu, CA
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