‘I abused my body in ways I’m not sure I’m proud of’: Olly Alexander reveals he partied too much in his teens as he struggled to come to terms with his sexuality

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Oh my god, I just read that Olly Alexander opened up about his teens, and it broke my heart! He said he basically pushed himself way too hard and partied so much because he was trying to figure things out with his sexuality. It’s just… wow. I feel so much respect for him sharing that, it must have been a really tough time. It explains so much, honestly. I’m just sending him all the love right now.

The 35-year-old singer, best known as the frontman for the pop band Years & Years, recently shared personal details on Paloma Faith’s podcast, ‘Mad Sad Bad with Paloma Faith.’

Olly openly talked about becoming famous, struggling to accept his sexuality, and his energetic nightlife during his time in London.

He shared on the podcast that his younger, more social years were incredibly important for his development. He enjoyed meeting and being around other LGBTQ+ people who inspired him with their self-expression and joyful freedom.

He explained that he didn’t fully accept his sexuality until around age 19, when he was able to be open with a friend.

He explained how quickly things could get out of hand, saying it’s easy to get carried away when you’re out. It feels like a long, multi-day break from sleep, and things can quickly spiral.

‘I loved a lot of that time, but I definitely abused my body in ways I’m not sure I’m proud of.’

He remembers a period of intense nightlife, starting with bars in Soho and moving to East London. It quickly became a weekly routine – he’d often find himself at East Bloc around 6 am, then continue to after-parties and house parties. He describes it as a hugely important time in his life.

Listeners can listen to the full interview with Paloma Faith on Mad Sad Bad now. 

Olly recently discussed how acting in the series It’s A Sin allowed him to overcome his anxieties about HIV and intimacy.

Set in 1980s London, It’s A Sin, written by Russell T. Davies, powerfully depicts a gay community devastated by the AIDS epidemic and won numerous awards for its emotional impact.

Olly truly shone as Richie Tozer, a cheerful and energetic young actor whose life was tragically affected by the illness.

Olly Alexander, already known as the frontman of the band Years & Years, gained even more recognition with several award nominations. The show he starred in also won a BAFTA TV Award for its powerful and moving depiction of the AIDS crisis and its impact on society.

In the September issue of Tatler last year, he shared his thoughts on the Channel 4 mini-series, explaining that taking the role forced him to confront a difficult reality about himself.

He explained that he didn’t understand his fear of HIV and sex until he started to confront it. He realized this fear stemmed from the shame he felt about being gay.

It really helped me sort through my feelings. I used to wonder how actors could say they took their characters’ emotions home with them, but now I get it.

In the series It’s A Sin, Tozer is openly gay with his friends, but keeps this part of his life hidden from his parents. They eventually learn about his sexuality, and also that he has AIDS, forcing a direct confrontation.

Although Alexander has always been comfortable with his sexuality privately, he revealed that an advisor cautioned him against publicly sharing it when he was starting his music career in his twenties.

He admitted he wouldn’t offer that advice today, and thought it was a bad suggestion at the time. While he never seriously considered following it, it felt like a crucial turning point in his life.

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2026-02-24 03:19