Troye Sivan: From Perth to Popstar

“I’m kind of terrified. I know that some people are going to have a problem with this. I know that this could kind of change everything for me. But it shouldn’t have to.” Those were the words of an 18-year-old YouTube star in the process of coming out. His name? Troye Sivan.

A native to South Africa, Sivan had a YouTube following as a musician and had taken up a number of acting roles, but it wasn’t until he was 17 that he began to post comedic videos and share his life with the world.

Three years after coming out as gay to his family and friends, Sivan posted a video titled “Coming Out,” a light-hearted yet authentic reflection on his experiences, as well as the amazing unexpected support from his family, considering the role religion played in their lives. Closing with his signature wink to remind the viewers that he was still the same Sivan to them, this video inspired many teens struggling with their sexual identity to come out themselves, in turn giving Sivan the confidence to take a new direction with his content.

With this heavy weight lifted off his shoulders, Sivan released his debut EP “TRXYE” (2014), featuring the single “Happy Little Pill” which detailed Sivan’s experience in his new home of Hollywood and the impact of being in the spotlight. “TRXYE” was Sivan’s introduction to the music world and what it would bring: a defiance of the status quo, a combination of genres that had rarely been explored together before, and Sivan’s eccentric personality.

As he garnered more experience—personal and artistic—Sivan released his first studio album, “Blue Neighborhood” (2015), a mixture of upbeat, empowering anthems like “YOUTH,” reflective songs like “SUBURBIA,” and wistful melodies like those on “HEAVEN.” The album demonstrated Sivan’s growth as he continued to discover more about himself, musically and personally. Contrasting classic rock and pop with a retro disco vibe and even a touch of indie, both the message and composition of Sivan’s songs were inspired by his formative experiences. “HEAVEN” detailed the conflict of being gay and Orthodox Jewish, with the accompanying music video showing Sivan lying on his boyfriend’s chest interspersed with footage from Pride protests. He continued his pro-LGBTQIA+ messaging in “YOUTH,” a disco-pop anthem about loving yourself and living life to the fullest, which ended up going triple platinum.

Sivan’s 2018 song “Strawberries and Cigarettes” showed the singer’s ability to fully delve into the details of his relationships, resonating with many of his LGBTQIA+ teen fans. He sings about the carefree and spontaneous nature of young love without shying away from the heartbreak that often ensues. The song was featured in a movie that felt shockingly similar to Sivan’s own life, “Love, Simon” (2018). Through “Strawberries and Cigarettes,” Sivan demonstrated that he was no longer singing to the LGBQTIA+ teens of the world, but rather for them, telling their story with the voice that many of them did not have.

The Australian singer’s sophomore album “Bloom” (2018) was a turning point for him. He once again blended genres but with deeper reflection, seeking to convey messages for the LGBTQIA+ community, both on behalf of and to them. Specifically, his song “Bloom” communicates sexual connotations that many LGBTQIA+ teens clearly understand but that went over the head of many straight teens who likely believe the song is actually about flowers. The album also features “Seventeen,” a song about Sivan’s encounters on the app Grindr as an experimenting teen, as well as “What A Heavenly Way To Die,” which talks about growing old with his partner. Sivan’s intent with the album was to convey a surface-level innocent message about relationships, with a subtext that is easily recognizable only to LGBTQIA+ teens. This theme is clear in other songs, like “Dance To This” with Ariana Grande, “Animal, “Plum,” and “Lucky Strike.”

Outside of music, Sivan furthered his self-exploration with his developing fashion sense. Crafting a signature look that was boundary-breakingly femme—like his look at the Met Gala, where he chose a fully red suit complemented with boots and vampy makeup—Sivan grew into an icon as the boy from Australia who became a pop star, embracing his identity and wearing it on his sleeve (often literally). Echoed in the “Bloom” music video, in which Sivan sports a multitude of different vibrant outfits, ending with an eccentric flowery dress, Sivan’s message, through music and fashion, is clear: love you for you.

After a tumultuous journey of self-discovery, Sivan released his latest EP, “In A Dream” (2020), an ode to himself. “Rager Teenager” specifically shows his evolution as a human, and the rest of the album echoes themes of self-love after spending his life figuring out who he was. While Sivian’s typical mixture of genres is present in “In A Dream,” the main feature of the EP that sets it apart from his previous albums is simple: he has become his own muse.

Going from a nervous boy in Perth, Australia coming out on YouTube to a prominent figure in the LGBTQIA+ community and the world of pop, Sivan’s personal and musical growth is undeniable. Because of the pandemic, he isn’t able to tour right now, but he has briefly mentioned plans to tour for his recent “In A Dream” as soon as it’s safe. Rumour has it that he’s planning on starting at a concert in Perth to recognize his origins and where he first became the Troye Sivan that so many of us adore.