Olly Alexander was advised to stay in the closet when Years & Years got a record deal
The singer has been open about his sexuality
Years & Years singer Olly Alexander revealed he was told to stay in the closet when his band got a record deal.
The 27-year-old singer has been open about his sexuality but was advised to stay quiet about it after he and his band received media training.
According to the Huffington Post, Alexander made the comments during a speech at a dinner for LGBT charity Stonewall on Friday (March 16) where he recalled the moment he spoke to his media trainer about his sexuality.
He explained: “She said, with very good intentions I’m sure: ‘Why does anybody need to know about your sexuality? What business is it who you go to bed with? Do you really want to invite personal questions like that? Maybe it’s better to not say anything about your sexuality at all.’
“I ignored her advice,” he stated.
Alexander, who recently dropped a music video for ‘Sanctify’, then recalled the moment he first acknowledged his sexuality in an interview, saying: “When a journalist did ask me what my sexuality was, I said, ‘Yes, I’m gay and this song is about a man.’
“It was a really big moment for me, and I realised I needed to say that for my 15-year-old self. I decided I would keep speaking out. It felt like I was healing and I saw first-hand how being open and honest helped.”
Alexander also spoke on issues facing the LGBT community. He said: “We don’t get equality until we all have equality. This is why I continue to speak out. We have to listen and learn from each other to lift each other up, so we can all live the life we deserve.
“It’s not OK now because its OK for a small group of people. Homophobia doesn’t end until we end racism and sexism and transphobia.”