Olly Alexander (Years & Years)

Biography

Oliver Alexander Thornton (born 15 July 1990) is an English singer, actor, and LGBTQ advocate. He is widely known as the lead vocalist of the synth-pop band Years & Years. Before his music career took off, Alexander was an actor, appearing in films like "Bright Star" (2009) and the television series "Skins" (2013).

Years & Years

Years & Years was formed in 2010 as a trio, with Olly Alexander as the frontman, Mikey Goldsworthy on bass, and Emre Türkmen on synths. The band gained mainstream success with their single "King," which topped the UK Singles Chart in 2015. Their debut album, "Communion," was released the same year and became the fastest-selling debut album from a UK-signed band. The album also featured the hit single "Shine," which reached number two in the UK.

Palo Santo and Night Call

The band's second album, "Palo Santo," was released in 2018 and reached the top three in the UK. It included successful singles like "Sanctify" and "If You're Over Me." In March 2021, it was announced that Years & Years would continue as an Olly Alexander solo project. The third album under the Years & Years name, "Night Call," was released in January 2022 and debuted at number one in the UK.

Solo Career and Acting

In 2021, Alexander received critical acclaim for his leading role as Ritchie Tozer in the Channel 4 drama series "It's a Sin," which depicted the 1980s AIDS crisis. His performance earned him a nomination for a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor. In 2024, he represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest with his song "Dizzy." His debut solo album, "Polari," was released in February 2025.

Advocacy

Alexander is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness. He has openly discussed his own struggles with mental health issues and has been involved in various campaigns promoting safer sex, HIV screening, and anti-bullying initiatives for the LGBTQ+ community. He has been recognized with numerous awards for his activism.