Olly Alexander: “I couldn’t accept my identity” Queer joy and mental distress co-exist
Dec 9, 2024
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Olly Alexander, musician and actor known for his work with Years & Years and his role in 'It's A Sin', opens up about the struggles of identity and mental health in the queer community. He shares how portraying a character in 'It’s A Sin' helped him confront personal challenges. The discussion delves into body image issues and the complexities of fame, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance. Olly highlights the significance of his upcoming album 'Polari', which connects to the rich history of queer cultural expression.
Olly Alexander emphasizes that grappling with one's identity, particularly in the queer community, often leads to significant mental health challenges exacerbated by societal shame.
The historical context and significance of Polari, the slang language, highlights the importance of cultural heritage and communication within marginalized communities, illustrating its influence on Olly's upcoming album.
The conversation illustrates the dual nature of fame, revealing that external success can coexist with internal struggles, particularly regarding self-worth and performance-related anxiety.
Deep dives
Exploring Identity and Mental Health
The discussion centers on the complexities of identity, particularly within the queer community, and its impact on mental health. Individuals have inherited feelings of shame that often arise from societal pressures and norms surrounding their sexual orientation. The guest, Olly Alexander, shares his personal struggles with mental health issues, highlighting how coming to terms with his identity played a significant role in his experiences of shame and acceptance. This conversation reflects a broader issue where many in the queer community face similar challenges, underlining the importance of recognizing and addressing these inherited struggles.
Polari: A Slang with History
Olly's upcoming album, titled 'Polari', takes inspiration from a historically significant slang spoken primarily within marginalized groups in Britain, including the gay community. This slang, rich in diverse linguistic influences, served as a covert means for individuals to communicate about their lives without fear of persecution. The historical context of Polari reveals how it was often used in secret by gay men during times when their identity was criminalized. By naming his album after this slang, Olly aims to highlight cultural heritage while expressing the nuances of queer identity through music.
The Weight of Fame and Performance Anxiety
The conversation highlights the pressures and anxieties that arise from fame and public perception, particularly in the context of performing arts. Olly describes the stark contrast between the joy of performing and the crippling anxiety that can accompany it, especially when expectations are high, as with notable performances like Eurovision. This duality showcases how, despite external success, internal struggles with self-worth and public validation can persist. The discussion reflects on the unrealistic expectations artists face and the toll it can take on their mental well-being.
The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery
Both Olly and the host reflect on their paths toward healing from mental health struggles, emphasizing the ongoing nature of self-discovery and growth. Therapy plays a crucial role in their journeys, providing them tools to navigate complex emotions and challenges. They express that understanding one's identity is intertwined with addressing mental health, acknowledging how both can significantly affect the other. This openness about their experiences offers comfort to listeners, serving as a reminder that healing is not linear and can encompass various ups and downs.
Embracing Artistic Freedom
As Olly prepares to release his first solo album, he expresses excitement about creating music that truly represents him without the constraints of industry expectations. He acknowledges the liberation of being able to produce work that is meaningful and authentic to his identity, rather than conforming to commercial pressures. This newfound artistic autonomy allows him to share his love and experiences within the gay community through his music. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of listening to oneself and embracing the creative process for personal fulfillment.
There should be no shame in being who you are. Musician and actor Olly Alexander has felt first hand how grappling with your identity can lead to poor mental health.
In this chat with Fearne, Olly explains why he feels there’s such a high level of mental distress in the queer community, and how acting in It’s A Sin helped him unpack his own lived experience.
Both Fearne and Olly share their experiences of poor body image, wondering if bulimia felt like a helpful tool to regain control in an intimidating world. How can you go from disliking your body to recognising the brilliant things it can do for you?
Plus, how to let yourself off the hook when you’ve messed up at work or in a social situation, and what to do when you don’t feel you’ve ‘achieved’ enough to be of value...
Olly’s solo album, Polari, is out in February.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about suicide, self-harm, and bulimia, so take care while listening.
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