Will Young reflects on coming out and the progress of LGBTQ+ rights

Will Young has paid tribute to the trailblazers who fought for LGBTQ+ rights, while reflecting on his own journey since coming out. The 46-year-old singer rose to fame in 2002 after winning Pop Idol, launching a successful music career with his debut single Anything Is Possible / Evergreen, which became the fastest-selling debut in UK history.

Following his win, Will came out publicly, stating he had never hidden his sexuality from those close to him and felt no shame. In a recent interview, he looked back on that time, describing the early 2000s as a stark contrast to today.

“It’s like chalk and cheese now,” he said. “I don’t often remember the mini traumas of being openly gay and in the public eye back then. It was so different.”

He recalled the lack of legal protections and societal support at the time: “You couldn’t get married. You just accepted that you’d be shouted at or threatened—and no one would care. That was the norm, which now seems bonkers.”

Will also honoured the activists who paved the way: “We have to remember those people and those before them, because they were pretty seminal.”

He first came out in March 2002 in an interview with News of the World, saying, “It’s totally no big deal, just part of who I am. I’m gay and I’m comfortable with that.”

More than two decades later, Will remains a prominent figure in music and advocacy. His 2024 album Light It Up topped the downloads chart and reached number five on the official albums chart. A successful tour followed, with extra dates added due to demand.

Beyond music, Will has become a mental health advocate, openly sharing his own struggles and encouraging others to seek help. In 2020, he tragically lost his twin brother, Rupert, to suicide. He later shared their story in the powerful Channel 4 documentary Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert.

Recently, he’s also been delighting fans with gardening tips and videos, showing yet another side of his multifaceted life.