British artist Olly Alexander has today released his entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, 'Dizzy'.
'Dizzy' is Olly Alexander's first solo release under his own name. The song is co-written by Danny L Harle, who produced 'Houdini' by Dua Lipa alongside Aussie psychedelic rock act Tame Impala.
The song premiered on Spotify on 1st March (Australian time).
During the Grand Final of BBC One's 'Strictly Come Dancing' in 2023, Olly Alexander revealed that he will be singing for the United Kingdom at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden.
Speaking to 'Strictly Come Dancing' host Claudia Winkleman about his Eurovision participation, Olly said:
"I'm planning it now, it's gonna be spectacular! I love Eurovision so much, it's a dream come true, I'm so so so excited, it's gonna be great!"
A multi-award-winning musician
Olly Alexander is a multi-award-winning artist who, as reported in the New York Times, wrote his first song on his father's Casio keyboard at age 10.
He rose to fame with his band Years & Years, formed in 2010. The group released three studio albums, scoring two UK number 1 albums and 10 UK Top 40 singles across these releases. In Australia, the single 'King' reached number 9 on the ARIA Charts, and 'Shine' peaked at number 15. With the band evolving into a solo project, Olly Alexander was recently awarded the BRIT Billion Award with 6.5 million streams globally.
Having headlined festivals worldwide, performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, and collaborated with Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John, and the Pet Shop Boys, Olly Alexander was recently immortalised in wax at Madame Tussaud's in London.
A multi-talented star
Though he is known best for his music success, Olly Alexander initially began his career as an actor, with his first professional role being in the 2008 film 'Summerhill'.
Olly said that he dropped out of the Hereford College of the Arts to pursue his acting career as parts were offered, stating:
"I started acting when I was young; it just sort of happened. I dropped out of school to work around the world, which was amazing."
"I really wanted to become a singer or a musician ... All of a sudden I was an actor. It was never something I'd set my heart on being. I'm still trying to work it out ... I really hated school because I was totally bullied. But you're never bullied in drama class because the weird kids do well in drama class. That's a safe place".
His leading role in 'It's A Sin' earned him a nomination for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television, with Olly also being nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor.
A gay icon
Olly Alexander is openly gay, and in 2017, he presented a BBC Three documentary investigating the link between being gay and the development of mental health disorders, where he opened up about his bulimia.
Though his work with Years & Years openly references his sexuality, Olly Alexander says he "can't speak for all gay people, because there are so many different issues, and experiences, and different shapes and sizes. But I can speak for myself, and that is what I'm doing if I'm going to be writing songs and giving interviews, I want to be able to speak about something I care about."
In September 2018, Olly Alexander won GQ magazine's 'Live Act of the Year' award, and in the same month, he took part in a video campaign. 'The Flag We Shouldn't Be Proud Of' for World Suicide Prevention Day, holding up a rainbow flag with two colours ripped out from it, and was quoted: "This is the flag we shouldn't be proud of. A flag that represents the two in six LGBTQ people we risk losing to suicide."
In 2020, he won the LGBT Celebrity of the Year award at the British LGBT Awards.
Olly Alexander says:
"I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I’m beyond excited to be taking part next year. As a young boy, I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion, and humour. I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour!
I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name. I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!"
Ben Mortimer, President of Polydor Records says:
“Polydor, as the British home of ABBA and Loreen, have a deep connection with Sweden and Eurovision. And, we also have a deep connection with the trailblazing, cultural force that is Olly Alexander, who we have worked with for almost ten years. He is quite simply an incredible talent who we are convinced will make a huge impact for the UK in this year’s competition. We are proud to be supporting him in his bid for Eurovision success.”
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC says:
“To have an artist of Olly Alexander’s calibre representing the UK in Malmö in 2024 is testament to just how much the BBC wants to keep momentum of Eurovision riding high since the UK had the honour of hosting the contest on behalf of Ukraine in Liverpool earlier this year. Olly is the perfect ambassador for the UK as both an immensely talented and world renowned artist and passionate fan of the competition.”
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